We are losing our ancestral knowledge because the technicians only believe in modern science and cannot read the sky.

-Andean peasant expression

I read this quote in an ethnobotany course I took while on exchange in Kenya several years ago. Although clearly unintended, I have always found it so perfectly relevant to genetics. One of the things I love most about the field is the importance of taking a step back and looking at the bigger picture. A patient’s bizarre mix of symptoms can often be understood only when taken in the context of his/her family history. One’s decision to pursue or not pursue a genetic test will make sense when you take into account their current familial, social or vocational situation. A population based screening program has the potential to alter our understanding of “marital compatibility” and preventative medicine.

A while ago I wrote about the focus on the human aspect of the medical experience as a strength of the field of genetic counseling. The more I get caught up in the minutia of busy clinic life, the easier it becomes to lose sight of this perspective. Blogging forces me to take a step back and challenge myself to engage in the larger conversation. For this reason, I encourage my fellow GCs to give it a try too.

Interested in starting a personal or group blog? Please comment here or send me an email.