Prenatal Testing: A Sociological Perspective

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Description

Prenatal testing for genetic abnormalities has transformed pregnancy and motherhood. Using sociological research, this book analyses the social-psychological and ethical implications of invasive prenatal testing, particularly CVS and amniocentesis. Among the issues covered are: changes in the genetic counselling profession and in client demographics; the challenge of nondirective genetic counselling; decisions of testing and on which test to have; the timing and risks of the procedures; abortion and grief; the ethics of sex education; potential uses and abuses of genetic knowledge; and policy and ethical implications.

Reviews

.,."a timely and welcome contribution to the ongoing national discussions and medical/ethical dialogues on the controversial and expanding use of prenatal testing."-The Midwest Book Review
...a timely and welcome contribution to the ongoing national discussions and medical/ethical dialogues on the controversial and expanding use of prenatal testing.-The Midwest Book Review
This book would be of considerable interest to genetic counseling students and genetic counselors in practice. Genetic counseling training programs should consider this resource for their required reading lists....a good general discussion of prenatal testing and the emotional ramifications involved.-Journal of Genetic Counseling
..."a timely and welcome contribution to the ongoing national discussions and medical/ethical dialogues on the controversial and expanding use of prenatal testing."-The Midwest Book Review
"This book would be of considerable interest to genetic counseling students and genetic counselors in practice. Genetic counseling training programs should consider this resource for their required reading lists....a good general discussion of prenatal testing and the emotional ramifications involved."-Journal of Genetic Counseling

Author Bio

ALIZA KOLKER is Professor of Sociology and Anthropology at George Mason University. She is the author or editor of three previous books on health and policy issues. MEREDITH BURKE, a consulting demographer to major donor agencies overseas, has taught health and demographic policy courses at several universities. Formerly with the international division of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, she was a visiting scholar at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University, 1996-7. She has published extensively in professional journals and in the news media about genetics, health care and policy issues.