Let me start by saying that I am not sure yet about what genetic counselors should be doing to fight the racist, vile, despicable, UnChristian/unMuslim/unJewish/unEvery Other Religion-In-The-World policies, actions, and statements of the Trump administration. I do know that we should not be cowering quietly in the corner, overwhelmed by the crap coming out of the bowels of (F)Elon Musk and PINO Trump (President In Name Only) in peristaltic waves. I have been thinking about this for a while and don’t have any really good answers, other than praying for debilitating strokes for those at the top (?bottom?). But I offer some thoughts and suggestions here. Some may be useless or impractical or simply not do-able.
In no particular order, consider these ideas, big and small, both on an individual level and on an organizational level:
- Download the 5 Calls app. The group behind this app “research[es] issues, write scripts that clearly articulate a progressive position, figure out the most influential decision-makers, and collect phone numbers for their offices. All you have to do is call.” It provides phone numbers of senators and representatives along with a script about specific topics to read when you leave a voice mail. Calling is probably the most effective way to communicate with your government representatives, more so than letters, postcards, and emails.
- Offer individual safe spaces – in person, phone, email, zoom, whatever – for colleagues to confidentially share their anxieties, fears, anger, and other emotions. Sometimes you just need to decompress, so, when appropriate, share comfort food and wine/whisky/beer/cannabis (where legal).
- Encourage our professional organizations (NSGC, ASHG, ACMG, and whatever other organizations you belong to) to take a principled stand and boldly and clearly reaffirm their commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Yes, it’s only a statement, and those may not add up to a hill of beans, but at least membership knows where their organizations stand, and offers something concrete to hold them accountable for.
- Our professional organizations have lobbyists. Can their services be utilized to lobby representatives?
- Our organizations also employ lawyers. Can they guide NSGC et al. to sign on as plaintiffs in relevant law suits against the government, where they might have some legal standing to file, such as those that might involve NIH funding or care of transgender patients? Or at least file amicus briefs?
- Can NSGC et al. provide safe spaces, something as simple as zoom chats or webinars, where members simply get the opportunity to share their fears and anxieties, and keep us directly up to date on what actions they are taking? Can participants be anonymized if they so choose, if they are worried about their personal safety?
- Have our organizations adopt as their temporary motto in bold capitals on their websites “Fuck Trump and Musk”? Okay, well, maybe that’s a bridge too far. But it would be really cool.
- Take to the streets in peaceful massive protests. I do not condone violence of any sort, other than in self-defense. This may involve risking your personal safety, as some Pro-Trumpers now assume they have the clearance to bust a few heads, free from legal sanction. And one could easily imagine the federal government pressuring local law enforcement to deal severely with protesters.
- Run for local offices – school boards, town/city councils, whatever – to formulate and fight for respectful, democratic, and decency-affirming policies.
- Volunteer for organizations that work to do good in the world.
- Write blogposts, letters to the editor, editorials, whatever media, decrying the inhumanity and ignorance of the government’s actions. Use your genetic counseling communication skills that we are alw
- Don’t let the bastards get the best of you. Fight’em tooth and nail. Proudly wear our Woke buttons (“I’m Woke – Are You Asleep?”).
- If it is financially feasible, donate to organizations that are fighting the good fight.
- Event though we don our costumes and capes at work and play Super Heroes fighting for our patients, and even though there are some Marvel Universe villains running the governmental show, remember that each and every one of us is just a human being. Don’t take the weight of the world on your shoulders alone, and don’t emotionally whip yourself if you feel overwhelmed or temporarily defeated. Even The Incredible Hulk has a human core.
I encourage readers to suggest more. We need to do this for ourselves, our colleagues, our patients, and our country. Those genetic counselors who feel vulnerable in their lives and jobs are given a pass here. It’s up to the rest of us to take care of all of us.
The DNA Exchange 
This was ridiculous to assume everyone agrees with this narrative. A very uneducated message.
Agreed. I resonate with some of this sentiment but feel this post is so one-sided it alienates and outcasts any GCs who may feel different. I am always careful to express an opinion so strongly that it conveys it is the only reasonable way to think (which harms our goal to have diverse perspectives in the field).
The DNA Exchange is an opinion blog.
If you want to write a post explaining why you support the Trump administration and submit it to the blog, feel free. If it is coherent and has relevance to the field of genetic counseling, we’ll publish it. Meanwhile, I’m pretty sure Bob is speaking for many GC’s here, and that in turn many feel grateful for the sense of solidarity in a difficult time that he provides. But if he spoke only for himself, than that would be fine as well. I am perhaps also not erudite enough for your standards, but I believe the First Amendment has something to say about this. Or — I’m sorry, I’ve been trying to restrict news coverage for my mental health — did the last Executive Order get rid of the Constitution?
Everyone is entitled to his/her opinions, but please provide arguments against the post “narrative” (which could be useful for the discussion), not adjectives for it (which are completely useless).
Many gre
Yes, make those calls to your elected officials. Every day! And call, don’t email. It does make a difference and they do notice. Be polite, especially if you get someone on the phone (which will likely be an intern). You can email too but please call, every day – make it part of your routine.
and for anyone despairing, keep fighting!
What about this message is uneducated? I also don’t understand how anyone who is a genetic counselor could feel that the rhetoric of the current administration is beneficial or not realize how incredibly damaging it is to healthcare overall. Instead of calling this message uneducated, you could have enlighten others on what you feel is wrong about this opinion piece.
I am accepting Bob’s challenge and responding to his comment. It would be easier not to, but doing so will strengthen my resolve when similar situations arise in the future. Speaking for myself, I think this posting is exactly what is needed: Propose a range of ideas and suggestions within a presumably more-or-less like-minded community. Then wait, as we all must, to see which ideas and actions coalesce and become effective and which don’t. This depends on many factors, including the actions that each of us takes or doesn’t take.
For me, the most useful suggestions at this time are,
and
Dr. Timothy Snyder’s 20 lessons on fighting tyranny has been a helpful guide for me: https://scholars.org/contribution/twenty-lessons-fighting-tyranny-twentieth. Especially, do not obey in advance.
I also challenge our professional organizations to prepare to take a unified and swift stand against language or actions from our leaders that veer into eugenic territory.
It is very typical that a conservative calls an opinion piece uneducated. Can you understand this is Bob’s space and he can write however he wants to? I am sure if you create a post that details how the administrations new laws are going to help us as providers and our patients, that would be welcome. As someone who works in NIH sponsored research who may very well lose my job after describing in my latest manuscript the gender identity of the participants, (hint it’s not just M/F) I see nothing but risk to my environment, my freedoms, and my security.
tremendous! 31 2025 The Genetic Basis For Guidance of The Better America Breeding Initiative to Enhance Society (BABIES): A (Very) White Paper adorable
Thank you for this insightful article addressing the critical issues of ethics and integrity within the realm of genetic counseling. I particularly appreciated your exploration of how counselors can navigate the complex landscape shaped by political decisions. Expanding on this, it’s interesting to note that the role of genetic counselors can also intersect with advocacy work, especially in light of policies impacting healthcare access. For example, initiatives aimed at increasing awareness and education about genetic testing in underserved communities are vital. A study published in the Journal of Genetic Counseling demonstrated that targeted outreach can significantly improve participation rates in genetic testing, thus uncovering critical healthcare needs within these populations. Moreover, the ethical dilemmas faced by genetic counselors can be multifaceted. They may need to contend with not just political corruption, but also the implications of emerging technologies like CRISPR. As genetic information becomes increasingly influential in shaping personal and familial health decisions, how counselors advocate for equitable access and ethics in these technologies will be crucial. With these complexities in mind, how do you believe genetic counselors can effectively bridge the gap between scientific advancement and the ethical implications that accompany such changes?
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