The Perceptions of Lutheran Pastors Toward Prenatal Genetic Counseling and Pastoral Care

The purpose of this study is to explore a theological perspective toward genetic counseling. A survey was sent to 207 ministers within the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA), to determine their perspectives toward four different scenarios in a prenatal genetic counseling setting. The four...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of genetic counseling 2001-06, Vol.10 (3), p.251-263
Main Authors: Stuck, Jamalynne, Faine, John, Boldt, Ann
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Abortion
Abortion, Eugenic
Anencephaly
Attitude
Bioethics
Clergy
Consultants
Decision making
Down Syndrome
Fetuses
Genetic Counseling
Genetics
Humans
Huntington Disease
Indiana
Kentucky
Lutheran churches
Pastoral Care
Pastoral counseling
Pregnancy
prenatal
Prenatal Diagnosis
Protestantism
Religion
Religious congregations
Severity of Illness Index
termination of pregnancy
Theology
Trisomy
Womens health
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Summary:The purpose of this study is to explore a theological perspective toward genetic counseling. A survey was sent to 207 ministers within the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA), to determine their perspectives toward four different scenarios in a prenatal genetic counseling setting. The four different scenarios included situations involving Huntington disease, Down syndrome, trisomy 18, and anencephaly. Nearly all ELCA Lutheran pastors perceived genetic counseling as beneficial and useful and wanted to be involved in the decision‐making process for whether or not to terminate the pregnancy. Their views toward termination of pregnancy varied depending on the severity of the genetic abnormality. Severity in this study was based upon life compatibility. As the severity of the genetic abnormality increased, the percentage of Lutheran pastors who viewed termination as an option increased from 23% (Down syndrome) to 62% (anencephaly). A better understanding of how spiritual leaders view genetic counseling would provide an insight into how genetics and religious beliefs together play a significant role in shaping the decisions of those faced with abnormal pregnancies.
ISSN:1059-7700
1573-3599
DOI:10.1023/A:1016680425337