Clinic director encourages genetic counseling careers

   Students learned the importance of genetics, not only as a mutation problem, but also as a way to understand potential resistance to illness from a geneticist during the SE Campus Health Fair.
   The Issues of Geneticism such as Development of Pediatrics, ADD, Nutrition and Cerebral Palsy was presented by Dr. Mary Carlin, medical director of Agape Clinic in Arlington.
   “Genetics started more because of political reasons than scientific reasons, thanks to the Genetic Act in 1976,” she said.
   According to Carlin, genetics’ tremendous impact now affects every field of medicine.
   The geneticist from Pittsburgh, Penn., graduated from the University of Miami, where she worked until she was asked to help in a special program teaching genetics.
   “Thanks to the success of this program, the teaching of genetics started to spread around the country,” she said.
   “Genetics is interesting for everybody, for the simple fact that we are people,” she said.
   Carlin explained how to get into this field. She said that entry into genetics will take three years of study after having a specialty field.    She emphasized genetics counseling as a career choice.
   “There are 40 schools around the county that focus on counseling,” she said.
   Carlin believes she made the correct career choice when she went into genetics.
   “I am proud of having an impact on families by helping them to make a plan of action as a person and as a family to see what is right or wrong,” she said.