RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Molecular genetics in the National Health Service in Britain.
JF Journal of Medical Genetics
JO J Med Genet
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
SP 219
OP 225
DO 10.1136/jmg.26.4.219
VO 26
IS 4
A1 R Harris
A1 R Elles
A1 D Craufurd
A1 A Dodge
A1 A Ivinson
A1 K Hodgkinson
A1 R Mountford
A1 M Schwartz
A1 T Strachan
A1 A Read
YR 1989
UL http://jmg.bmj.com/content/26/4/219.abstract
AB A recent report from the Departments of Health draws attention to the value of DNA diagnosis for inherited diseases and the need for planning these services in the National Health Service. There is great potential for preventive medicine, but a major immediate benefit is the newfound ability to exclude the carrier state in many people at risk and to protect fetuses from abortion when, as in most cases, they are shown to be normal by DNA tests. However, the widespread application of these new techniques requires prior evaluation and general acceptance. This will only be obtained after public debate, education of professionals and the population, and the establishment of adequate non-directive genetic counselling services. Some of the points to be considered in setting up molecular genetics laboratories are described.