Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: earisme on 04/06/2005 23:10:51

Title: Reproductive Therapist/Geneticist
Post by: earisme on 04/06/2005 23:10:51
Hi there, I am 21 and a Sr. at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.  I have a bit of a problem as far as my major is concerned; more so what I want to do when I "grow-up."  I am very interested in genetics (hence it is my major) - however, I would like to go into human genetics.  What I would really like to do is be what I believe they call a "reproductive therapist" but I'm not sure of the correct term or where to look as far as grad schools are concerned.  

What I would like to so as far as a career goes is the following:
I would like to work in an office where couples come in and know that they might have a genetic disorder that runs in their family.  I would figure out the probabilities of it actually occuring.  If the woman is pregnant, I would run tests on the fluid in the womb and see if the child show the chromosomal defect - and then give advice/options from there.  I basically want to work with human disorders/defects but I really cant think of any other field that I might go into that deals with this.  I would rather be working with people - man to man contact - instead of working in a lab all day.  

If you could please give me any insight of what type of job title this would fall under, other jobs that work with human genetic disorders, as well as grad school that would have these possible progams in them.  Thank you so much for your help!
Title: Re: Reproductive Therapist/Geneticist
Post by: chris on 08/06/2005 22:57:33
Most people who do genetic counselling have a medical affiliation / training. There are many aspects to the job, rather than just doing the test.

I'm not sure if there are any clinical geneticists lurking out there - perhaps one of them will pipe up and guide you ?

Chris

"I never forget a face, but in your case I'll make an exception"
 - Groucho Marx