Episodios

  • Patient Support: Results Booklet & Logotherapy

    Patient Support: Results Booklet & Logotherapy
    Mar 26 2026
    Today’s episode explores two deeply human dimensions of genetic counseling- how we support families as they process complex genomic information over time and how people make meaning in the face of uncertainty. Both segments discuss how we can support people as they make sense of genetic information in their lives. Segment 1: Putting control into parents' hands: Parent experiences with a genomic results e-booklet Guest Bio: Shelin Adam is a Master's trained Genetic Counsellor and Clinical Assistant Professor working at the University of British Columbia Department of Medical Genetics, as well as the Division of Pediatric Neurology at BC Children's Hospital. Her research focus has been the application of new genetic and genomic technology. More specifically, she is interested in understanding the best ways to provide education, decision support and genetic counselling to families being offered genomic sequencing. Shelin has also been involved in looking at issues of equity and access for diverse families who face linguistic, cultural, geographic and economic issues when trying to obtain genetic services. Key Takeaways: - A genomic results booklet to support parents after pediatric genomic testing. - Findings show improved understanding, communication, and advocacy through a take-home resource. - The study highlights challenges with accessibility, language, and timing of information delivery. - The discussion considers the booklet’s role as a partial substitute for genetic counseling and future AI integration. Segment 2: Exploring the principles of logotherapy in genetic counseling: Enhancing decision-making, adaptation, and justice Guest Bios: Nour Chanouha, MS, CGC (she/her), emigrated from her home country of Lebanon in 2020 to pursue a career in genetic counseling. Nour graduated from the Northwestern Graduate Program in Genetic Counseling in 2022 and has since been practicing as a genetic counselor in the maternal-fetal medicine and reproductive endocrinology and infertility (IVF) clinics at the University of Iowa Health Care. Nour holds several leadership roles, including serving as a board member of the Arab Society of Genetic Counselors and co-Chair of its Education Committee, as well as co-Chair of the National Society of Genetic Counselors’ (NSGC) International SIG Mentorship Program. She is also an active volunteer on multiple committees within the National Society of Genetic Counselors, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, and the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology. Nour is actively involved in research, education, and mentorship both within and beyond her institution and has been awarded the NSGC 2025 New Leader Award. Nour’s interest in logotherapy began early in her career. She decided to pursue training in logotherapy as a way to strengthen her counseling skills, enhance cultural competency, and better support patients navigating grief and loss, while also fostering personal and professional growth. When she is not reading Viktor Frankl’s writings on the weekend, she enjoys cooking, traveling and volunteering with the Immigrant Welcome Network of Johnson County. Kendra is a board-certified genetic counselor with 15 years of experience in reproductive genetics. She currently serves as the supervisor of prenatal genetic counseling at University of Iowa Health Care and is the founder of Allay Life, a private practice dedicated to supporting individuals and families navigating unexpected news in pregnancy. Kendra is deeply committed to advancing the practice of genetic counseling through education and mentorship, with a particular focus on the power of therapeutic relationships and counseling skills to enhance patient outcomes. She also provides peer and professional supervision for practicing genetic counselors and graduate students. Key Takeaways: - This episode explores the use of logotherapy to support meaning-centered genetic counseling. - The discussion highlights how focusing on patient values can guide decision-making and coping. - Logotherapy presented as a practical clinical framework for navigating uncertainty, grief, and complex choices. - The conversation emphasizes its role in promoting patient autonomy, equity, and holistic care. Would you like to nominate a JoGC article to be featured in the show? If so, please fill out this nomination submission form here. Multiple entries are encouraged including articles where you, your colleagues, or your friends are authors. Stay tuned for the next new episode of DNA Dialogues! In the meantime, listen to all our episodes Apple Podcasts, Spotify, streaming on the website, or any other podcast player by searching, “DNA Dialogues”. For more information about this episode visit dnadialogues.podbean.com, where you can also stream all episodes of the show. Check out the Journal of Genetic Counseling here for articles featured in this episode and others. Any questions, ...
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    49 m
  • #25- Patient Perspectives & Preferences with Risk and Uncertainty

    #25- Patient Perspectives & Preferences with Risk and Uncertainty
    Feb 26 2026
    In this episode we are talking about uncertainty and risk along with patient preferences for communication.

    Segment 1: The attitudes of individuals with or at risk of adult-onset genetic conditions on reproductive genetic testing: A systematic review

    Shanice Allen is a PhD student from the Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN) at the University of Sheffield. The aim of her research is exploring the attitudes and experiences of individuals with or at-risk of genetic MND on reproductive genetic testing, and explore how and if clinicians discuss these options with these individuals. This will help us identify any barriers to accessing reproductive services.

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shanice-allen-9a89661a5/

    In this segment we discuss:

    - The attitudes toward reproductive genetic testing in adult-onset genetic conditions.

    - Experiential knowledge and perceived disease severity in shaping reproductive decision-making.

    - Ethical themes including guilt, eugenics, and concerns about pregnancy termination.

    - Findings supporting more tailored, longitudinal genetic counseling approaches.

    Segment 2: Assessing patient communication preferences for reclassified variants of uncertain significance in a general genetics clinic

    Eden Brush, MS, CGC is a pediatric and inpatient genetic counselor in the Division of Clinical Genetics at Columbia University Irving Medical Center. She completed her graduate training at Columbia University as part of the class of 2024. She is passionate about rare disease advocacy, narrative medicine, and disability justice.

    In this segment we discuss:

    - Patient communication preferences for reclassified variants of uncertain significance (VUS) and patient-driven practice insights

    - Factors that emphasize the utility of shared responsibility, the need for standardized recontact systems, and the importance of equity-focused implementation strategies.

    - How VUS reclassification type impacted patient-preferred disclosure methods.

    Would you like to nominate a JoGC article to be featured in the show? If so, please fill out this nomination submission form here. Multiple entries are encouraged including articles where you, your colleagues, or your friends are authors.

    Stay tuned for the next new episode of DNA Dialogues! In the meantime, listen to all our episodes Apple Podcasts, Spotify, streaming on the website, or any other podcast player by searching, “DNA Dialogues”.

    For more information about this episode visit dnadialogues.podbean.com, where you can also stream all episodes of the show. Check out the Journal of Genetic Counseling here for articles featured in this episode and others.

    Any questions, episode ideas, guest pitches, or comments can be sent into DNADialoguesPodcast@gmail.com.

    DNA Dialogues’ team includes Jehannine Austin, Naomi Wagner, Khalida Liaquat, Kate Wilson and DNA Today’s Kira Dineen. Our logo was designed by Ashlyn Enokian. Our current intern is Stephanie Schofield.
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    38 m
  • Bonus- Questions with the Editor of Journal of Genetic Counseling

    Bonus- Questions with the Editor of Journal of Genetic Counseling
    Feb 12 2026

    We are talking about submitting and publishing manuscripts in the Journal of Genetic Counseling! J9 Austin, the Editor-in-Chief, sits down to explain the process of review, tips for submitting and editing, and answers listener questions.

    In this episode we discuss:

    - A bonus episode with the Journal of Genetic Counseling editor-in-chief on why and how to publish research.

    - How to choose a journal, write clearly, and navigate submission and peer review.

    - What reviewers and editors look for and how to respond to feedback effectively.

    - Support and resources for students and early-career authors aiming to publish.

    Would you like to nominate a JoGC article to be featured in the show? If so, please fill out this nomination submission form here. Multiple entries are encouraged including articles where you, your colleagues, or your friends are authors.

    Stay tuned for the next new episode of DNA Dialogues! In the meantime, listen to all our episodes Apple Podcasts, Spotify, streaming on the website, or any other podcast player by searching, “DNA Dialogues”.

    For more information about this episode visit dnadialogues.podbean.com, where you can also stream all episodes of the show. Check out the Journal of Genetic Counseling here for articles featured in this episode and others.

    Any questions, episode ideas, guest pitches, or comments can be sent into DNADialoguesPodcast@gmail.com.

    DNA Dialogues’ team includes Jehannine Austin, Naomi Wagner, Khalida Liaquat, Kate Wilson and DNA Today’s Kira Dineen. Our logo was designed by Ashlyn Enokian. Our current intern is Stephanie Schofield.
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    56 m
  • #24-Clinical genetic services: Provider retention & telegenetics

    #24-Clinical genetic services: Provider retention & telegenetics
    Jan 29 2026
    Today’s episode is about clinical genetic services. In the first segment, Khalida talks to authors Courtney and Jade about retention of patient-facing genetic counselors and how generational age and work environment influence retention. For the second segment, Khalida chats with Dr. Ba-Jaj about telegenetics in India, reviewing data from 3 years and almost 1000 cases! Segment 1: Factors influencing retention of patient-facing genetic counselors: Role of generational age and work environment Courtney Schroeder, MS, LCGC is an oncology genetic counselor at Indiana University Health. She received her BS in Psychology and Biology from the University of Dayton and her MS in Genetic Counseling from the University of North Carolina Greensboro. Courtney primarily works with the Precision Genomics team at IU Health. She also manages the Hereditary Renal and Prostate Cancer Clinic, which she established through a grant-funded project. Jade McIntyre, MS, LCGC is a 2025 graduate of Indiana University Genetic Counseling Program. She is currently working as a genetic counselor in the Medical and Molecular Genetics Department at Indiana University Health. Jade is grateful for the opportunity to share the findings from her graduate student research that was published in July 2025. In this segment we discuss: - This episode explores factors influencing retention of patient-facing genetic counselors. - The study highlights flexibility, autonomy, and experience as key drivers of retention. - Results show higher retention among older, more experienced counselors. - The discussion emphasizes employer strategies to improve workforce retention. Segment 2: Telegenetics in India: A 3-year review of 938 appointments and patient–clinician perspectives Dr Shruti Bajaj completed her MBBS and MD Pediatrics from Seth Gordhandas Sunderdas Medical College and King Edward Memorial Hospital, Mumbai. She subsequently pursued a Fellowship in Clinical Genetics, accredited by Maharashtra University of Health Sciences, from Seth Gordhandas Sunderdas Medical College and King Edward Memorial Hospital, Mumbai. Thereafter, Dr. Shruti Bajaj amassed vast clinical experience as an Assistant Professor in the busy Department of Pediatrics and Clinical Genetics at Seth Gordhandas Sunderdas Medical College and King Edward Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, for five years (2013- 2017). She has to her credit a short observership and training in Clinical & Laboratory Genetics from Kasturba Medical College, Manipal. She has additionally been trained through multiple short modules in different subspecialities of Clinical Genetics from prestigious centres across the country and the world. Some of these include the 'Cancer genetic counseling' course from Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai and the challenging 'Skeletal dysplasia' course from Lausanne, Switzerland. Dr Shruti Bajaj is the Founder and Director of The Purple Gene Clinic, which she established in 2017. The Purple Gene Clinic provides cares to patients across the country, and is one of the busiest and most trustworthy Genetic Clinics in India. Despite a demanding and busy practice, Dr Shruti Bajaj obtained the prestigious International Masters Degree in Neurometabolism and Cell Biology, from SJD Barcelona's Children Hospital, University of Barcelona, in 2024. During this course, Dr. Bajaj was awarded the prestigious International Travel Scholarship for both 2023 and 2024, after her submitted clinical cases were selected as the best amongst all applications, highlighting her exceptional clinical acumen and dedication. As a testimony to her passion for academics, Dr Bajaj has numerous national and international publications, as well as chapters in leading textbooks, to her credit. Dr Bajaj's innate compassion and passion for social services led her to establish a support group for individuals with Down syndrome, called PEHEL, in Mumbai in 2018. She also runs a charitable OPD at The Purple Gene Clinic, called Shantidevi Gupta Charitable OPD, in the loving memory of her late grandmother. Social media handles: Linkedin profile name: Dr Shruti Bajaj (Agarwal) In this segment we discuss: - How tele-genetics improves access to genetic care across India. - When pure vs hybrid telemedicine works best for diagnosis. - Patient cost and time savings alongside clinician-reported challenges. - Scalable lessons for implementing tele-genetics in resource-limited settings. Would you like to nominate a JoGC article to be featured in the show? If so, please fill out this nomination submission form here. Multiple entries are encouraged including articles where you, your colleagues, or your friends are authors. Stay tuned for the next new episode of DNA Dialogues! In the meantime, listen to all our episodes Apple Podcasts, Spotify, streaming on the website, or any other podcast player by searching, “DNA Dialogues”. For more information about this episode visit dnadialogues.podbean.com, where ...
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    38 m
  • #23- Building Systems for Genetic Care: PRS Implementation and EDS Triage

    #23- Building Systems for Genetic Care: PRS Implementation and EDS Triage
    Dec 18 2025

    Today we are featuring two articles that relate to moving genetics into mainstream healthcare. In our first segment, we discuss polygenic risk scores and the transition from research to clinical use. Our second segment focuses on hypermobility Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and the triaging of clinical referrals.

    Segment 1: Readiness and leadership for the implementation of polygenic risk scores: Genetic healthcare providers' perspectives in the hereditary cancer context

    Dr Rebecca Purvis is a post-doctoral researcher, genetic counsellor, and university lecturer and coordinator at The Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia. Dr Purvis focuses on health services delivery, using implementation science to design and evaluate interventions in clinical genomics, risk assessment, and cancer prevention.

    In this segment we discuss:

    - Why leadership and organizational readiness are critical to successful clinical implementation of polygenic risk scores (PRS).

    - How genetic counselors’ communication skills position them as key leaders as PRS moves from research into practice.

    - Readiness factors healthcare systems should assess, including culture, resources, and implementation infrastructure.

    - Equity, standardization, and implementation science as essential tools for responsible and sustainable PRS adoption.

    Segment 2: A qualitative investigation of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome genetics triage

    Kaycee Carbone is a genetic counselor at Boston Children's Hospital in the Division of Genetics and Genomics as well as the Vascular Anomalies Center. Her clinical interests include connective tissue disorders, overgrowth conditions, and somatic and germline vascular anomaly conditions. She completed my M.S. in Genetic Counseling at the MGH Institute of Health Professions in 2023. The work she discusses here, "A qualitative investigation of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome genetics triage," was completed as part of a requirement for this graduate program.

    In this segment we discuss:

    - Why genetics clinics vary widely in how they triage referrals for hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS).

    - How rising awareness of hEDS has increased referral volume without clear guidelines for diagnosis and care.

    - The ethical and emotional challenges genetic counselors face when declining hEDS referrals.

    - The need for national guidelines and clearer care pathways to improve access and coordination for EDS patients.

    Would you like to nominate a JoGC article to be featured in the show? If so, please fill out this nomination submission form here. Multiple entries are encouraged including articles where you, your colleagues, or your friends are authors.

    Stay tuned for the next new episode of DNA Dialogues! In the meantime, listen to all our episodes Apple Podcasts, Spotify, streaming on the website, or any other podcast player by searching, “DNA Dialogues”.

    For more information about this episode visit dnadialogues.podbean.com, where you can also stream all episodes of the show. Check out the Journal of Genetic Counseling here for articles featured in this episode and others.

    Any questions, episode ideas, guest pitches, or comments can be sent into DNADialoguesPodcast@gmail.com.

    DNA Dialogues’ team includes Jehannine Austin, Naomi Wagner, Khalida Liaquat, Kate Wilson and DNA Today’s Kira Dineen. Our logo was designed by Ashlyn Enokian. Our current intern is Stephanie Schofield.
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    50 m
  • #22-Genetic Counselor Appreciation: Professional Identity & Well Being

    #22-Genetic Counselor Appreciation: Professional Identity & Well Being
    Nov 27 2025

    Earlier this month, we celebrated Genetic Counselor Appreciation Day on November 13! In recognition of this, we are featuring 2 articles that explore professional issues in the field of genetic counseling. In our first segment, we talk to Dr. Rachel Mills about the professional identity of early-career genetic counselors and in the second segment, we speak to Dr. Laura Yeates about self care strategies in cardiovascular genetic counselors.

    Segment 1: Early-career genetic counselors' professional identity formation through experiences with continuing education at a professional conference

    Dr. Rachel Mills is an Associate Professor and the Director of Research for the University of North Carolina Greensboro Genetic Counseling Program. She is a career-long research genetic counselor who is passionate about mentoring student researchers. Rachel's recent research has focused on professional issues in genetic counseling.

    In this segment we discuss:

    - How early-career genetic counselors form and affirm their professional identity.

    - Generational differences in values and post-COVID conference experiences.

    - The role of mentorship and community in fostering belonging.

    - Implications for training programs and future identity research.

    Segment 2: Well-being and self-care strategies for cardiovascular genetic counselors: A qualitative study

    Dr Laura Yeates is a certified cardiac genetic counsellor with more than 18 years' experience, working in both research and clinical roles. She recently completed her PhD in genetic counselling under the supervision of A/Prof Jodie Ingles at the Garvan Institute in Sydney, Australia. Her PhD focused on developing a support intervention for families affected by sudden cardiac death as well as well-being in cardiovascular genetic counsellors. Laura is a past Chair (president) of the Australasian Society of Genetic Counselors (ASGC) and continues to volunteer on various ASGC committees.

    In this segment we discuss:

    - How cardiac genetic counselors experience and manage the emotional impact of sudden cardiac death cases.

    - The role of countertransference, supervision, and team support in sustaining well-being.

    - How administrative burden contributes to stress and reduces time for meaningful clinical work.

    - Practical and organizational strategies that help counselors build sustainable self-care routines.

    Would you like to nominate a JoGC article to be featured in the show? If so, please fill out this nomination submission form here. Multiple entries are encouraged including articles where you, your colleagues, or your friends are authors.

    Stay tuned for the next new episode of DNA Dialogues! In the meantime, listen to all our episodes Apple Podcasts, Spotify, streaming on the website, or any other podcast player by searching, “DNA Dialogues”.

    For more information about this episode visit dnadialogues.podbean.com, where you can also stream all episodes of the show. Check out the Journal of Genetic Counseling here for articles featured in this episode and others.

    Any questions, episode ideas, guest pitches, or comments can be sent into DNADialoguesPodcast@gmail.com.

    DNA Dialogues’ team includes Jehannine Austin, Naomi Wagner, Khalida Liaquat, Kate Wilson and DNA Today’s Kira Dineen. Our logo was designed by Ashlyn Enokian. Our current intern is Stephanie Schofield.
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    53 m
  • #21- From Specialty Clinics to Family Medicine: Rethinking Access to Genetics

    #21- From Specialty Clinics to Family Medicine: Rethinking Access to Genetics
    Oct 30 2025

    The case for integrating genetic counselors into primary care:A paradigm shift for our profession

    Natasha Berman (she/her) MA, MS, MPH, CGC is a clinical genetic counselor at the UPMC Department of Family Medicine who works within the primary care precision medicine clinic. She provides direct patient care to patients for a variety of indications. She has coauthored multiple textbook chapters covering family medicine genetic topics. Her primary areas of research include improving equitable genetics care.

    Vivian Pan, MS, CGC is a Senior Genetic Counselor at the University of Illinois Cancer Center and Mile Square Health Center, where she provides genetic counseling services and conducts research on integrating genetics into primary care settings. She has extensive experience developing telehealth and precision medicine programs across diverse healthcare settings, with a focus on increasing equitable access to genomic medicine for underserved populations.

    In this episode we discuss:

    - Integrating genetic counseling into primary care to improve access and equity

    - Educating and collaborating with primary care providers to enhance and expand genomic care

    - Expanding counselor roles for multifactorial conditions and preventive care

    - Sustaining the model through advocacy, partnerships, and reimbursement reform

    Would you like to nominate a JoGC article to be featured in the show? If so, please fill out this nomination submission form here. Multiple entries are encouraged including articles where you, your colleagues, or your friends are authors.

    Stay tuned for the next new episode of DNA Dialogues! In the meantime, listen to all our episodes Apple Podcasts, Spotify, streaming on the website, or any other podcast player by searching, “DNA Dialogues”.

    For more information about this episode visit dnadialogues.podbean.com, where you can also stream all episodes of the show. Check out the Journal of Genetic Counseling here for articles featured in this episode and others.

    Any questions, episode ideas, guest pitches, or comments can be sent into DNADialoguesPodcast@gmail.com.

    DNA Dialogues’ team includes Jehannine Austin, Naomi Wagner, Khalida Liaquat, Kate Wilson and DNA Today’s Kira Dineen. Our logo was designed by Ashlyn Enokian. Our current intern is Stephanie Schofield.
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    27 m
  • #20- Revisiting Research: Implementation Science & Retrospective Chart Review

    #20- Revisiting Research: Implementation Science & Retrospective Chart Review
    Sep 25 2025
    In this episode, we talk with two authors who have papers featured in the special issue of the Journal of Genetic Counseling on Research Methods in Genetic Counseling. In the first segment we explore implementation science and its utilization in bridging the gap between research and clinical practice. In our second segment, we talk to an author about retrospective chart reviews and the benefits and drawbacks of this methodology. Segment 1: A guide to utilizing implementation science for genetic counseling Alanna Kulchak Rahm is a certified genetic counselor and implementation scientist with a PhD in Health and Behavioral Science. She has spent her career specializing in the implementation of genomics and precision health in healthcare systems. For over 25 years, she has conducted research on the utilization of genetic information by individuals and healthcare systems, new paradigms for identifying individuals with genomic risk, and new service delivery models for genomic testing. She has been a driver for the integration of implementation science and patient engagement to understand and study the integration of genomics into the learning health system, and is a tireless advocate of implementation science in genetic counseling. She has participated in and led many workshops and trainings on implementation science in genetics, serving as a faculty mentor for the NIH Training in Dissemination and Implementation Research in Cancer (TIDIRC) and recently as a co-lead of the Training in Dissemination and Implementation Research in Genomics and Precision Public Health (TIDIR-GPPH). She is currently a Program Director in the Division of Genomic Medicine at the National Human Genome Institute (NHGRI) where she directs the Network of Genomics-Enabled Learning Health Systems and other programs and continues to advance the integration of implementation science and genomics. In this segment we discuss: - Implementation science (IS) as a bridge between research and clinical practice in genetic counseling - Misconceptions about IS, key frameworks like RE-AIM, and practical applications in daily work - Using IS to identify and reduce inequities in genomic medicine - Future integration of IS into training, research, and professional practice - Link to the 2025 annual conference on dissemination and implementation Segment 2: Leveraging hindsight: A retrospective chart review how-to for genetic counselors Dr. Ramsey is the Section Chief of Individualized Therapeutics in the Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Innovation at Children’s Mercy. She is leading the implementation of a pharmacogenomics program that is fully integrated with the electronic health record, developing model-informed decision support for several medications, and Co-director of their Pediatric Clinical Pharmacology Fellowship Program. Before joining Children’s Mercy, Dr. Ramsey was an Associate Professor and co-director of the Genetic Pharmacology Service at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. She completed her postdoctoral fellowship in Pharmacogenetics at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and received her PhD in Molecular, Cellular, Developmental Biology and Genetics from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities. Dr. Ramsey is interested in all aspects of pharmacogenetics, from basic research to implementation in patient care. In this segment we discuss: - The role of retrospective chart reviews in genetic counseling research - Common pitfalls such as unclear aims, time demands, and data extraction challenges - Strategies for success, including SOPs, REDCap, and multidisciplinary collaboration - Lessons learned on refining criteria, ensuring data quality, and team engagement Would you like to nominate a JoGC article to be featured in the show? If so, please fill out this nomination submission form here. Multiple entries are encouraged including articles where you, your colleagues, or your friends are authors. Stay tuned for the next new episode of DNA Dialogues! In the meantime, listen to all our episodes Apple Podcasts, Spotify, streaming on the website, or any other podcast player by searching, “DNA Dialogues”. For more information about this episode visit dnadialogues.podbean.com, where you can also stream all episodes of the show. Check out the Journal of Genetic Counseling here for articles featured in this episode and others. Any questions, episode ideas, guest pitches, or comments can be sent into DNADialoguesPodcast@gmail.com. DNA Dialogues’ team includes Jehannine Austin, Naomi Wagner, Khalida Liaquat, Kate Wilson and DNA Today’s Kira Dineen. Our logo was designed by Ashlyn Enokian. Our current intern is Stephanie Schofield.
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    54 m