This course discusses the conclusions reached during the “Genomics & Adoption Symposium,” a consensus project on best practices and appropriate uses of genetic testing for adopted persons. Bringing together leading scholars in genetics, bioethics, adoption psychology, and representative stakeholders, the Symposium’s working groups grappled with the appropriate timing of genetic tests, informed consent and genetic counseling, optimal gene panels, the role of ancestry testing and relative matching in adoptees’ identity and well-being, and key social, legal, and economic obstacles to genetic screening for adoptees. This course presents the consensus reached, on the following: 1) Informed Consent, Return of Results, and Genetic Counseling; 2) Needs and Capabilities; 3) Ancestry Testing, Relative Matching, and Privacy, and 4) Economic and Social Obstacles.
Thomas May, PhD – Floyd and Judy Rogers Endowed Professor, Washington State University Vancouver, Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine
Course length: 60 minutes
Course level: Beginning, Intermediate
Certificate type: This course offers a Social Work CE certificate
Credit type: Ethics CE
After attending this course, professionals will be able to:
- Identify key areas of debate concerning the use of genetic testing for adopted persons.
- Explain the key concerns underlying debate concerning the use of genetic testing for adopted persons.
- Summarize the consensus best practices for the use of genetic testing for adopted persons.
Recorded 6/16/2022
National Council For Adoption, #1804, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. National Council for Adoption maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 04/13/2023 – 04/13/2026. Social workers completing this course receive 1 ethics continuing education credit.
This course does not offer credit for NJ or NY social workers. More information on continuing education credits is available here. 
