Race, Language, and Geography May Affect the Prenatal Genetic Screening Patients Receive

11.12.2026

Key Takeaways

• Only about one-third of pregnant patients likely received a preferred, more accurate prenatal genetic screening test, according to a national study of more than 450,000 patients
• Black patients, those who preferred a language other than English and those living in rural or more socially disadvantaged communities were less likely to receive cfDNA prenatal genetic screening
• The findings highlight potential inequities in access to guideline-recommended prenatal care
• Findings presented this week at the National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) 45th Annual Conference

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Jane Engelberg Memorial Fellowship Award Supports Study to Strengthen Financial Sustainability of Genetic Counseling Services

11.11.2026

Key Takeaways

• JEMF award will support a national study that aims to assess genetic counseling billing practices, creating a pathway for improving them
• Researchers will identify what works and what prevents genetic counselors from billing for their clinical effort
• Findings of the two-year study will be used to develop an evidence-based framework to help institutions bill more effectively for genetic counseling services

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Genetic Counselors on Capitol Hill Urge Congress to Co-Sponsor ‘Access to Genetic Counselor Services Act’

5.4.2026

Last week, the National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) Board of Directors visited Capitol Hill, meeting with U.S. House and Senate offices to advocate for co-sponsorship of the Access to Genetic Counselor Services Act—a bipartisan, bicameral piece of legislation that would enable access to genetic counselor services for Medicare beneficiaries.

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The Use of Artificial Intelligence in Genetic Counseling

5.4.2026

The National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC)  believes it is essential that genetic counselors guide the responsible integration of artificial intelligence (AI) tools into genomic medicine while maintaining the person-centered approach at the core of genetic counseling practice. 

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Jane Engelberg Memorial Fellowship Award Will Support Study to Fast Track Genetic Testing and Genetic Counseling for Early-Onset AFib Patients

11.9.2025

Key Takeaways

• JEMF award supports project to increase access to genetic testing and genetic counseling for patients with early-onset AFib
• Expert- and patient-designed booklet to help AFib patients younger than 45 decide on same-day testing followed by genetic counseling
• Early testing identifies risk sooner, guiding prevention and treatment
• Findings presented this week at the National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) 44th Annual Conference

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Whole-Genome Testing of IVF Embryos Spots Conditions Standard Screens Can’t Detect

11.8.2025

Key Takeaways

• Whole genome sequencing for preimplantation genetic testing (PGT-G) of embryos can help with IVF decisions
• PGT-G was more than 99% accurate and identified clinically relevant genetic disease variants in 20% of embryos that standard testing misses
• PGT-G may enhance IVF success rates
• Findings presented this week at the National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) 44th Annual Conference

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AI, Educational Tools Helpful for Basics, But Can’t Replace Genetic Counselors, Patients Say

11.8.2025

Key Takeaways

• 80%-90% of patients say artificial Intelligence (AI) chatbots and online educational tools cannot replace genetic counselors
• The tools can be a helpful supplement but don’t provide the tailored guidance of a genetic counselor
• Findings presented this week at the National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) 44th Annual Conference

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Many People – Especially Women – Wait Years for Genetic Testing After Cancer Diagnosis May Delay Access to Effective Therapies

11.7.2025

Key Takeaways

• Cancer patients may wait several years after diagnosis to have genetic testing
• Delays in testing can cost patients access to targeted treatments and screening for future cancers
• Average testing delays ranged from less than a year for pancreatic cancer to more than three years for endometrial cancer, and were longer in women
• Findings presented this week at the National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) 44th Annual Conference

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Population Genetic Screening Finds Hidden Risks for Cancer and Heart Disease

11.7.2025

Key Takeaways

• eMERGE, a National Institutes of Health-funded study of nearly 20,000 adults, demonstrates the power of genomics to uncover health risks in those with no personal history via population-wide genetic screening
• One in 40 adults learned they carry a genetic variant linked to cancer or heart disease, most for the first time
• Identifying people at high risk enables earlier screening and prevention strategies
• Findings presented this week at the National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) 44^th Annual Conference

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Access to Genetic Testing for Inherited Heart Disease Significantly Improved Via Alternative Telemedicine Model, Study Shows

9.20.2024

NEW ORLEANS – Sept. 20, 2024 – People at risk for inherited heart diseases can see a genetic counselor much more quickly through a third-party telemedicine model, suggests research being presented at the National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) 43rd Annual Conference.

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