Journal of Genetic Counseling

The journal was the first genetics journal to focus entirely on professional, familial, social and psychological facets of genetic counselling, and continues to be the only journal to do so.{{Cite web |date=2024-10-21 |title=Journal of Genetic Counseling Overview |url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/page/journal/15733599/homepage/overview |access-date=2024-10-21 |website=Wiley Online Library|doi=10.1002/(ISSN)1573-3599 }} The similarly named journal, Genetic Counseling, focuses on the medical nuances of the field, rather than the counselling component.

The history of genetic counseling is firmly rooted in eugenics and the unethical practices in historical genetic research. Eugenics is the belief that the genetic quality of the human population is largely based on proximity to the racially-white, heterosexual, able-bodied male and those who do not conform to those characteristics should not reproduce, often resulting in forced sterilizations.{{Citation |title=Eugenics |date=2024-11-13 |work=Wikipedia |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eugenics |access-date=2024-11-18 |language=en}} In consideration of this history; equity, diversity, and inclusion principles are of special consideration.{{Cite web |date=2024-10-21 |title=Journal of Genetic Counseling |url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/15733599 |access-date=2024-10-21 |website=Wiley Online Library|doi=10.1002/(ISSN)1573-3599 }} This focus extends to the editorial board of the journal, which highlights the diversity of genders, sexualities, cultures, races, and abilities of its members as a strength.

The journal focuses exclusively on genetic counselling-related research, providing the premier resource for practitioners, educators, and policymakers in the field. The large proportion of the studies featured in the journal examines the roles of genetic counsellors and the impact of their practices on genetic counselling processes and outcomes.{{Cite journal |last1=Wallgren |first1=Alexandra |last2=Veach |first2=Patricia McCarthy |last3=MacFarlane |first3=Ian M. |last4=LeRoy |first4=Bonnie S. |date=2020-12-15 |title=Content analysis of Journal of Genetic Counseling research articles: A multi-year perspective |url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jgc4.1373 |journal=Journal of Genetic Counseling |language=en |volume=30 |issue=3 |pages=774–784 |doi=10.1002/jgc4.1373 |pmid=33325151 |issn=1059-7700|url-access=subscription }} Moreover, the journal addresses individuals’ attitudes, perceptions, and emotions regarding genetic services and decision-making processes. In contrast to other medical journals (Genetics, Heredity, Nature Genetics, Theoretical and Applied Genetics, Journal of Genetics) studies focusing on molecular biology or underlying mechanisms are considered outside the scope of the journal.

The demographics of the studies predominantly consists of genetic counselling patients. Other demographics involved in the field, such as genetic counsellors, health professionals, and parents are also common study samples. The journal published a balanced array of studies utilizing quantitative, qualitative, or mixed analysis (a combination of both quantitative and qualitative analyses). Furthermore, It features a diverse range of research articles specifically focused on various genetic counseling specialities, with cancer (including breast, ovarian, and colorectal) being the most prevalent area. Other common specialties include prenatal and general genetics (covering a broad range of genetic referrals across different specialties), whereas the journal lacks research on laboratory genetic counselling.{{Cite journal |last1=Ormond |first1=Kelly E. |last2=Laurino |first2=Mercy Ygoña |last3=Barlow-Stewart |first3=Kristine |last4=Wessels |first4=Tina-Marié |last5=Macaulay |first5=Shelley |last6=Austin |first6=Jehannine |last7=Middleton |first7=Anna |date=2018-03-25 |title=Genetic counseling globally: Where are we now? |journal=American Journal of Medical Genetics |language=en |volume=178 |issue=1 |pages=98–107 |doi=10.1002/ajmg.c.31607 |issn=1552-4868 |pmc=5947883 |pmid=29575600}}

From 1992 to 2018, the JOGC was published through Springer Publishing Company. In 2019, the journal began publishing with Wiley. There are 6 publications per year released on a bimonthly basis.{{Cite web |title=Journal of Genetic Counseling Editor-In-Chief |url=https://www.nsgc.org/POLICY/Journal-of-Genetic-Counseling-Archived/JOGC-Editor-Position |access-date=2024-10-27 |website=National Society of Genetic Counselors}} The complete issues of the journal can be accessed online for free by members of the NGSC.

The position of Editor-in-Chief is appointed by the NSGC Board of Directors and typically serves a 5 year term. The primary responsibilities of the Editor is to assemble an editorial team, set the journal’s scope and vision, and oversee the publication of the issues.

The journal's current Editor-in-Chief is Jehannine Austin, a researcher and professor at the University of British Columbia, as of January 2024.{{Cite web |last=zeinali |first=azin |date=2023-09-12 |title=Dr. Jehannine Austin has been selected as the next Editor-in-Chief for the Journal of Genetic Counseling effective January 1, 2024. |url=https://medgen.med.ubc.ca/dr-jehannine-austin-has-been-selected-as-the-next-editor-in-chief-for-the-journal-of-genetic-counseling-effective-january-1-2024/ |access-date=2024-10-27 |website=Department of Medical Genetics |language=en-US}}

Previous editors of the journal:

• Christina Palmer (2018 - 2023){{Cite web |date=2023-01-02 |title=Christina Palmer, MS, PhD |url=https://medschool.ucla.edu/people/christina-palmer-ms-phd |access-date=2024-10-27 |website=UCLA Medical School |language=en}}
• Bonnie S. LeRoy
• Allyn McConkie-Rosell
• Robert Resta (1995 - 2001){{Cite web |last=Stoll |first=Katie |date=2021-02-08 |title=Bob has retired. What are the Resta us going to do now? |url=https://thednaexchange.com/2021/02/08/bob-has-retired-what-are-the-resta-us-going-to-do-now/ |access-date=2024-10-27 |website=The DNA Exchange |language=en}}
• Deborah L. Eunpu (1992 - 1994){{Cite web |title=NSGCHistory |url=https://www.nsgc.org/About/About-NSGC/NSGC-History |access-date=2024-10-27 |website=www.nsgc.org |language=en-US}}

• {{Official website|https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/15733599}}

Category:Medical genetics journals

Category:Wiley (publisher) academic journals

Category:Academic journals established in 1992

Category:English-language journals

Category:Bimonthly journals

{{med-journal-stub}}

{{genetics-journal-stub}}