Life Sciences Commons^™

Restrictions On Abortion Affect Genetic Counseling Practice: Genetic Counselors In Abortion Unfriendly States Reflect On Current And Impending Challenges, Grace Amelia Getchell, Sofia Angela Horan

Human Genetics Theses

Genetic counselors (GCs) play an important role in providing and coordinating care for patients considering abortion care secondary to fetal anomaly and/or genetic diagnosis. Restrictive legislation affecting abortion access in the United States has increased in recent years. Only a few studies have analyzed the effects of restrictive legislation on GCs. This study aimed to understand how prenatal GCs’ practice is impacted by restrictive legislation and how GCs are preparing for more restrictive legislation. Thirty-four qualitative interviews were conducted with GCs practicing in Texas, as well as states categorized as “leans hostile,” “hostile,” and “very hostile” by the Guttmacher Institute. …