Comments on: Genetics Quiz #51: Certificate in Clinical Genetics

By: Georgia Wiesner, MD

Georgia Wiesner, MD — Mon, 11 Sep 2006 01:29:37 +0000

Dr. Lei,
I agree that the word “certificate” is confusing. From a healthcare perspective, a person holding this certificate may not have the requisite clinical experience for an independent position in a genetics unit. If you or other readers are interested in learning more about careers in genetics, the American College of Medical Genetics and the National Society of Genetic Counselors have excellent information on their websites in addition to the ABMG and ABGC sites. (http://www.acmg.net/ or http://www.nsgc.org/).

By: Hsien Hsien Lei, PhD

Hsien Hsien Lei, PhD — Sun, 10 Sep 2006 08:51:45 +0000

Georgia: Thanks for clarifying. The quote I supplied above is the Certificate in Clinical Genetics which Brandeis and Simmons clarifies on their own website is not equivalent to the ABMG or ABGC. I’m personally confused as to where a person with a Certificate in Clinical Genetics could work and what kind of advice they could offer without overstepping their bounds. I should follow-up on this by emailing them.

By: Georgia Wiesner

Georgia Wiesner — Sun, 10 Sep 2006 01:55:17 +0000

The previous answer from Brandeis University is inaccurate. Genetic professionals in healthcare include genetic physicians, who are MDs certified by the American Board of Medical Genetics (ABMG), genetic laboratory specialists, who are PhDs or MDs certified by the ABMG, and genetic counselors, who have a MS in Genetics and are certified by the American Board of Genetic Counselors (ABGC). The “certificate” offered by Brandeis University is not the same as ABMG or ABGC certifiction.