Idaho is just over 84,000 square miles in size, with 80% of the land, either range or forest, and 70% of it publicly owned. With a population of only 1,250,000, the state leads the nation in the number of patents per capita granted for new inventions and has a history of innovation which includes the alpine chairlift, the first tapered aluminum ski pole, the dehydrated potato flake, the backup beeper alarm, and participation in the invention of television. Idaho is the only state in the lower 48 settled primarily from the west (due to the discovery of gold in the 1800’s) and is known internationally as an outdoorsperson’s paradise with hunting, fishing, skiing, kayaking, and hiking as prime tourist draws to its abundance of natural beauty.
Idaho currently has one in-state geneticist who works with a team of three genetic counselors and a metabolic dietician. Clinical genetic services are also provided by medical geneticists from Oregon and Washington during outreach clinics sponsored by the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. These clinics are also staffed by an Idaho genetic counselor. Telegenetics sessions between Idaho and Oregon are utilized on an as-needed basis.
