Dr. Mercy Laurino is a licensed genetic counselor and Director of Cancer Genetics and Prevention at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center. She leads several teams focused on genetics, prevention, and ...

Understanding the Context

At the moment, there are 6,517 certified genetic counselors in the United States, according to 2023 data (link opens PDF in new window) from the National Society of Genetic Counselors. That is an ... Precision medicine driven by genetic health care is knocking on the door. It offers hope that, sooner than later, we can address health problems like Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, and heart disease ...

Key Insights

The Food and Drug Administration’s approval of nearly a dozen gene therapies in the past year, including milestone treatments for sickle cell disease and hemophilia B, has finally ushered in the era ... Q: After my best friend was diagnosed with breast cancer, she learned that she has a BRCA gene, and that it put her at risk of getting it. Now she’s urging all of her girlfriends to get genetic ... Many people with a personal or family history of cancer are now offered genetic testing to explain their cancer history. Whether you test positive or negative for a mutation in a cancer-related gene, ...

Final Thoughts

Kaleido Scope: Genetic counseling is a hot career path. Meet four alums who work in the field at UAB. Genetic counseling is a hot career path. Meet four alums who work in the field at UAB.