Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice in Genetic Counseling: A Focus on Indigenous Peoples

Abstract

The genetic counseling profession continues to suffer from a lack of racial and ethnic diversity. In this thesis, the many potential causes underlying the lack of diversity in genetic counseling are explored. Some of these include historical injustices and ongoing structural racism against minority groups and the resulting negative perceptions and distrust of genetics. Although efforts to recruit more diversity have been made, they have stopped short of addressing the above barriers. Moving beyond recruitment of diversity and considering goals of equity, inclusion, and justice is an important next step for the genetic counseling profession. Reconciling historical injustices, dismantling systemic barriers, and promoting racially inclusive and empowering practices is imperative to the success of the field, both within the workforce and for the quality of care that patients receive. People of Indigenous descent are highly underrepresented in clinical genetics careers, and thus will be referenced throughout this thesis to illustrate the lack of diversity, equity, and inclusion in clinical genetics and discuss potential solutions.