Does the new law require Genetic Counselors to have a doctoral degree? 

-----Original Message-----
From: Communication for the Heartland Regional Genetics Group
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Weatherford, Larry P.
Sent: Tuesday, November 07, 2006 9:22 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Oklahoma Law Requiring Licensing for Genetic Counselors Takes Effect

Author : 	MarkSchlachtenhaufen	
Date : 	10/31/2006	

(LIN) A new law creates the framework for licensing genetic counselors in
Oklahoma, setting standards and requirements for professionals in the growing
field. 
	SB 990, by Sen. Bernest Cain, D-Oklahoma City, and Rep. Doug Cox,
R-Grove, requires, among other things, the licensure of genetic counselors,
establishes training and continuing education requirements and assures
consumers that they will have qualified counselors when they seek their
services. It gives administrative authority to the Board of Health, and the
final version of the bill also prohibits genetic counselors from discussing
abortion with patients. 
	Starting Nov. 1, genetic counselors - with provisions for genetic
counselors already working in Oklahoma - will be required to hold a master's
degree and a doctoral degree, both from a genetic counseling training program
accredited by the American Board of Genetic Counseling or by an equivalent
entity determined by the board. 
	Anne Roberts, executive director for the Oklahoma Institute for Child
Advocacy, said scientific breakthroughs are providing new ways to help
children live healthier, more productive lives, children who in times past
would have led difficult lives. 
	Techniques such as screening newborns and surgeries that enable
doctors to repair birth defects on babies when they're still in their
mother's womb are making a difference, Roberts said. Last year, almost 50,000
Oklahoma infants were screened for cystic fibrosis and congenital adrenal
hyperplasia. 
	In 2002, former Gov. Frank Keating signed a law that gave the state
Department of Health the authority to provide a newborn screening program for
the early treatment of genetic, metabolic and biochemical disorders. The
previous law allowed only testing for inborn metabolic diseases aimed at
preventing mental retardation. 
	Cain said SB 990 puts Oklahoma ahead of other states in relation to
licensing genetic counselors. "This is going to be a big thing in the
future," he said. 
	As of July, only five states - Oklahoma, California, Massachusetts,
Utah and Illinois - had enacted legislation requiring a license to practice
genetic counseling, according to the National Society of Genetic Counselors
(NSGC). While the other four states have penalties for those who violate
their laws, the Oklahoma State Board of Health is developing procedures for
reviewing cases. 
	At the national level, Cain said, developments related to the new
state laws are being closely watched by groups like the NSGC. 
	In Oklahoma, SB 990 was amended after pro-life opponents feared it
would cause more women to get an abortion. Cain said the intent of the bill
merely was to establish a structure for individuals who want to become
genetic counselors. 
	Cain, who supports a women's right to choose to have an abortion,
said he offered to withdraw his sponsorship of the bill but decided not to do
so. To ease the fears of individuals in the pro-life camp, compromise
language was added prohibiting counselors from discussing abortion with
patients. "It was a tough compromise," Cain said. "I just wanted a clean
bill." 
	Abortion is a hot-button issue in Oklahoma, Cain said, adding that it
is important to include all viewpoints during the legislative process. 
	Cox, a physician who has delivered about 800 babies, has said the
bill was never about abortion but about requiring licensing for genetic
counselors and helping the OU Health Sciences Center build a genetic
counseling program so it can be a leader in what is an important scientific
specialty. 
	Oklahomans for Life, a statewide right-to-life group affiliated with
the National Right to Life Committee, encourages respect for and the
protection of "every innocent human life" and works on issues including
abortion, infanticide, cloning, euthanasia and assisted suicide. 
	Tony Lauinger, state chairman of Oklahomans for Life, said the group
sought the amendment prohibiting genetic counselors from discussing abortion
with patients. "We believe the final version of SB 990 satisfactorily
addressed our concerns," Lauinger said. "The pro-life language was necessary
to make it clear that there is a place in Oklahoma for pro-life genetic
counselors who do not see abortion as a solution to a genetic disease." 
	In Section 8, the bill states: "Nothing in the Genetic Counseling
Licensure Act may be construed to require any genetic counselor or other
person to mention, discuss, suggest, propose, recommend, or refer for,
abortion or to agree or indicate a willingness to do so, nor shall licensing
of any genetic counselor be contingent upon acceptance of abortion as a
treatment option for any genetic or other prenatal disease, anomaly or
disability." 
	The law also protects a counselor from legal action for failing to
"mention, discuss, suggest, propose, recommend, or refer for, abortion,
unless the abortion is necessary to prevent the death of the mother." 
	Genetic counselors have experience in medical genetics and counseling
and are members of a health care team, providing information and support to
families who have members with birth defects or genetic disorders and to
families who may be at risk for a variety of inherited conditions. Genetic
counselors identify families at risk, investigate the problem present in the
family, interpret information about the disorder, analyze inheritance
patterns and risks of recurrence and review all available options with the
family. 
	Heightened public awareness, along with scientific advances in adult
disorders and reproductive technologies, has increased the demand for genetic
counselors 
	Cain said a couple of years ago he had a discussion about the need
for licensing genetic counselors in the state with Dr. John Mulvihill,
medical director of OU's genetic counselors program. 
	Cain said that, at some point during the next couple of years, the
state may need to revisit the genetic counseling issue. 



Larry
---
Larry Weatherford
Terrorism Communications Officer
Oklahoma State Department of Health
1000 NE 10th Street - Rm. 406
Oklahoma City, OK 73117-1299
405/271-5601
405/271-2865 (Fax)
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