1. What were the factors which influenced the development of genetic counseling as a profession in the United States?
- They were a lot of challenges that the genetic counseling profession and professionals have faced in the history of it. It was not an easy journey for the people who have proved that genetic counselors are also essential in the healthcare system.
I think that the main factors which has had influenced the development of genetic counseling as a profession were: 1) using the term genetic counselor was a big issue in the creation of the said society which was opposed by different medical professionals, 2) the creation of the professional society which was debated by physicians as this was sort of demeaning that they are being cut off for having full membership in the said society and 3) initiation of having a national representation.
Others factors that also helped the society was the creation of criteria to be called a genetic counselor, designation of regional representatives and having regional meetings and publications of journals and newsletters.
2. Comparing with the situation in the Philippines, how different would you think the course of development of genetic counseling would be in the country? Explain.
- I think it would be more difficult if genetic counseling was established in the Philippines as we are considered as Third World Country. The issues will focus more on the budgetary factor in the development of the society since the government are more focused on targeting poverty causes and on education.