Attitudies reguarding genetic counseling issues of the pakistani population at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn

Abstract

Maimonides Medical Center is located in an area of racial and ethno-cultural diversity. Approximately 15% of the patients in the medical genetics division originate from Pakistan and many practice a conservative form of Islam. Abortion, autopsy and prenatal diagnosis are generally considered to be forbidden by Islam. In our experience, many patients adhere to this belief system, while others seem to make reproductive decisions independent of religious influences. We have developed a survey designed to examine demographic and social parameters and how those factors may influence response to three scenarios: prenatal diagnosis, abortion, and autopsy. The Pakistani subjects and their partners (when present at the counseling session) were asked to fill out the questionnaire and respond to what they would likely do in such a situation. The questionnaire was also presented to pregnant Pakistani couples NOT referred io genetics, and controls consisting of non-Pakistani genetics patients of various ethnic and religious backgrounds living in Brooklyn. The response of this population on critical genetic counseling issues as well as possible correlations to demographic/social variables and previous experience with genetics services will be presented.