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Abstract
Genetic testing requested by prospective adoptive parents and/or an adoption agency prior to adoption, known as pre-adoption genetic testing, is postulated to help identify the best placement for the child. However, limited data exist about factors impacting social workers’ decision making about genetic testing and their perceptions about positive and negative implications of testing. A survey and semi-structured interview based on a pre-adoption genetic testing scenario of an inherited condition explored social workers’ perspectives and decision-making process (N = 129). The majority reported limited education in genetics, but favored genetic testing. Results highlight the value of an interdisciplinary team in genetic testing decision making.
Acknowledgements
This work was supported in part by the University of Michigan Rackham Graduate Student Research Grant. The authors gratefully acknowledge the assistance of Dr. R. H. Farr, Dr. H. D. Grotevant, and Ms. Julie Roesch in reviewing the survey instrument and the assistance of the Michigan Association of Genetic Counselors in preliminary data collection.