There are proportionately fewer members of minority groups among genetics services providers (including Master’s level counselors) than in other US medical specialties. Although no national data exist on race and sex of genetics patients, most respondents to a general survey of patients’ ethical views were white (89%). The added cost of adequately sampling ‘low-incidence’ minority groups makes adequate inclusion difficult. In a general public survey of 1,000 persons, African Americans (11%) differed from the larger group on 52% of ethical questions. Generally, they were less concerned about individual privacy and more concerned about welfare of partners and relatives, preferred somewhat more directive counseling, were less concerned about autonomy and adoptees’ rights to information, were more likely to use the ‘don’t know’ response in regard to new reproductive technologies, and were less accepting of abortion for congenital conditions.