Published: Friday, June 24, 2022, 3:15 PM U.S. Eastern Time
Media Contact: Kara Flynn, press@ashg.org
Today’s U.S. Supreme Court decision overruling Roe v. Wade is unprecedented and deeply alarming. It will swiftly limit access to safe reproductive healthcare in many states and will inevitably deny pregnant people and families the choices they should have, including abortion.
As genetics and genomics medical and research organizations, we affirm our belief that all pregnant people deserve care, including access to abortion, based on scientific and clinical evidence and their personal choices. Board-certified professionals provide accurate, evidence-based and unbiased information that allows patients to make informed reproductive choices.
Legislation restricting access to abortion denies our patients the ability to make informed decisions about their healthcare based on prenatal imaging or diagnosis. Importantly, those in underserved and under-resourced communities will be impacted disproportionately, given their limited access to genetic services, including prenatal detection and diagnosis, and existing inequities in access to healthcare.
Genetics research and genomic medicine are rapidly evolving, yet there remain significant limitations in our ability to understand many conditions. Pregnant patients deserve the opportunity to be educated with the most up-to-date information relating to a prenatal diagnosis through genetic counseling, and to use that information to make informed reproductive healthcare decisions. Further, healthcare professionals bear ethical and legal responsibility to provide complete, accurate and unbiased medical information and the full spectrum of options to their patients. All patients want and deserve evidence-based, comprehensive information, free from discrimination or coercion, to make their own informed family choices.
ACMG, ASHG, and NSGC oppose laws that prevent families from making informed reproductive choices, or that seek to prevent or criminalize healthcare professionals who inform patients of scientific knowledge or reproductive options.
For more information, please see individual organizational statements on reproductive choice:
ACMG: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41436-019-0656-1.pdf
ASHG: https://wptest.ashg.org/advocacy/perspectives/reproductive-freedom/
NSGC: https://www.nsgc.org/Policy-Research-and-Publications/Position-Statements
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About the American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG)
Founded in 1948, the American Society of Human Genetics is the primary professional membership organization for human genetics specialists worldwide. Its nearly 8,000 members include researchers, academicians, clinicians, laboratory practice professionals, genetic counselors, nurses, and others with an interest in human genetics. The Society serves scientists, health professionals, and the public by providing forums to: (1) share research results through the ASHG Annual Meeting and in The American Journal of Human Genetics and Human Genetics and Genomics Advances; (2) advance genetic research by advocating for research support; (3) educate current and future genetics professionals, health care providers, advocates, policymakers, educators, students, and the public about all aspects of human genetics; and (4) promote genetic services and support responsible social and scientific policies. For more information, visit: http://wptest.ashg.org.
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About the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics
Founded in 1991, the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) is a prominent authority in the field of medical genetics and genomics and the only nationally recognized medical professional organization solely dedicated to improving health through the practice of medical genetics and genomics. The only medical specialty society in the US that represents the full spectrum of medical genetics disciplines in a single organization, the ACMG provides education, resources and a voice for more than 2,500 clinical and laboratory geneticists, genetic counselors and other healthcare professionals. ACMG’s mission is to improve health through the clinical and laboratory practice of medical genetics as well as through advocacy, education and clinical research, and to guide the safe and effective integration of genetics and genomics into all of medicine and healthcare, resulting in improved personal and public health. Genetics in Medicine is the official ACMG journal. ACMG’s website, www.acmg.net, offers resources including policy statements, practice guidelines, and educational programs. The ACMG Foundation for Genetic and Genomic Medicine works to power ACMG educational and public health programs through charitable gifts from corporations, foundations and individuals.
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About the National Society of Genetic Counselors
NSGC is the leading voice, authority and advocate for the genetic counseling profession. Membership represents more than 4,500 masters-level health professionals, who are committed to ensuring that the public has access to genetic counseling and genetic testing. For more information, visit www.NSGC.org.