DNA: The Body’s Instruction Manual Humans and all other living things have DNA, which contains hereditary information. The information in your DNA gives your cells instructions for producing proteins. Proteins drive important body functions, like digesting food, building cells, and moving your muscles. Your DNA is the most unique and identifying factor about you—it helps... Read More
ASHG denounces the misuse of genetics to feed racist ideologies, and affirms that the research community should be clear about genetic knowledge related to ancestry and genomic diversity. Any attempt to use genetics to rank populations demonstrates a fundamental misunderstanding of genetics. Related: AJHG Perspective: ASHG Denounces Attempts to Link Genetics and Racial Supremacy (November... Read More
In 2018, a legislative amendment was proposed that would protect the genetic privacy of immigrant families by restricting the use of their genetic material and data to helping reunify family members. The amendment would require that government officials restrict their use of DNA analysis to when it is truly needed and ensure that biological samples... Read More
In 2018, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) invited comments on its intention to exempt a list of class II devices from premarket notification requirements, including tests assessing genetic health risks. ASHG responded to this request for comment by outlining its support for regulation that brings scientifically valid, evidence-based tests to market, and expressing... Read More
In 2017, ASHG and 10 international organizations published a position statement on human germline genome editing in The American Journal of Human Genetics. The statement recommended against genome editing culminating in human pregnancy, supported publicly funded in vitro research into its potential clinical applications, and outlined scientific and societal steps necessary before implementation of such... Read More