The Case for Pro-Life Genetic Counseling
The primary role of a genetic counselor is to provide information regarding the results of genetic tests to patients, loved ones, or caregivers. Genetic tests are used primarily to inform diagnosis and treatment at the beginning of life and into childhood, for cancer screening, or for the analysis of other genetic diseases.
Genetic counselors excel at providing genetic information, and showing care and concern for their patients. They emphasize "non-directiveness"; not interjecting one's own values into a patient's decision making. Genetic counseling is one of the fastest growing occupations in the US.
Concern about the concept of 'non-directiveness'
"Counseling is not a value free enterprise. Therapeutic models are value laden. Counselors and clients are both emotionally invested in 'right living' issues. Since no therapy is value free, clients face the dilemma of finding a therapist with values similar to their own or having their values challenged. Therapists face the ethical issue of clarifying their own values and determining how to make them known."
— International Journal of Value-Based Management (1996) 1:29:43
While the idea of non-directiveness may be the goal, what is not said communicates value as much as what is said, and sometimes what is said is not value-free.
Pro-Life Genetic Counseling
This Genetic Counseling program will focus on:
- Relationship and community within a Christian context, including prayer for and with the patients
- Carefully and lovingly applying Scripture to each situation
- An in-depth interpretation of the genetic data, including ambiguities, in ways that all patients can understand
- Connecting patients with others in similar situations
- Advocating for children born with non-traditional genetic profiles
- Advocating for adoption in all of its Biblical forms
- Applying Christian genetic counseling principles to patients making genetically-related decisions at any age, including decisions regarding reproduction or end of life issues
- Providing continuing education on the latest data and advancements in the field through the academy and to the greater public
Why a "pro-life" Genetic Counseling program?
The "pro-life" foundation defines the program and distinguishes it from other genetic counseling programs.
Genetic Counseling is an area in which pro-life Christians are not overtly represented, although there are genetic counselors who are pro-life.
- Of the physicians from the Christian Medical and Dental Association who responded that they refer patients for genetic counseling, 97% indicated that having access to genetic counselors trained from a pro-life perspective would be positive
- 32% of those had patients with negative experiences with genetic counselors based on different worldviews.
- In the same survey, members of the American Association of Pro-Life OB/Gyns indicated that 100% were in favor of having access to pro-life genetic counselors, and 82% had patients with negative experiences with genetic counselors based on different worldviews.
This is not simply a case of adding "Faith" to the name of a new program. Genetic testing and genetic counseling are tools which tend not to used by pro-life Christians, mainly because of differences in worldview. Information from genetic tests, and conversations with pro-life genetic counselors, could be useful for Christians in all phases of life.
There are also a number of para-church organizations that could benefit from the services of pro-life Genetic Counselors, including Pregnancy Care Centers:
- Of respondents from CareNet who had patients with questions related to genetics, 92% indicated that having access to pro-life genetic counselors would have been be helpful in those situations.
- For Heartbeat International, 95% indicated that having access to pro-life genetic counselors would have been beneficial.
From a Local Christian Pro-Life OB/GYN Physician
"I have seen a number of patients referred for specialty services outside Jackson and they have returned to me very upset as the provider did not share their worldview and thus made suggestions — even encouragement — to them to pursue pathways not consistent with the patient's faith perspectives. That is a sage comment you quoted in the goals document — counseling is certainly not a values free enterprise and this brings up myriad issues. I know first hand how much patients appreciate a provider who shares their belief system. There certainly is a need for well trained and well balanced faith based genetic counselors..."