Laura Hercher is a genetic counselor and director of student research at the Joan H. Marks Graduate Program in Human Genetics at Sarah Lawrence College. She has written broadly on ethical, legal and social issues related to genetic medicine. Hercher is host of The Beagle Has Landed, a podcast for the clinical genetics community and other sci-curious individuals.
Controversial New Guidelines Would Diagnose Alzheimer’s before Symptoms Appear
According to expert recommendations, the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s can proceed by detecting the disease’s underlying biology—even before the onset of cognitive decline
How Arguments that Embryos Are People Pose a Threat to IVF
Designating an IVF embryo as a person reveals the radical impact of an extreme antiabortion argument gone mainstream
Genetic Counselors Scramble Post-Roe to Provide Routine Pregnancy Services without Being Accused of a Crime
The Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade means that prenatal advice to patients can suffer and that counselors can face lawsuits and criminal charges
An IVF Embryo Test Aims to Prevent Miscarriages: Is It Worth It?
The test could help ensure a successful pregnancy but still leaves hopeful parents with some difficult decisions
A New Era of Designer Babies May Be Based on Overhyped Science
Genetic testing with IVF is being marketed as a means to choose a healthy embryo, despite questions about the soundness of the technology