ASHG News

Protecting Genetic Privacy in Law Enforcement

Protecting Genetic Privacy in Law Enforcement

ASHG supports DNA profiling as a law enforcement tool to identify criminals and exonerate the innocent. The Society believes, however, that the use of DNA in those contexts must respect the public’s right to privacy and that DNA collection should be limited to those convicted of or reasonably suspected of having committed a serious crime.... Read More

ASHG Supports Genetic Privacy Provisions in 21st Century Cures Act

ASHG Supports Genetic Privacy Provisions in 21st Century Cures Act

Media Contact: Nalini Padmanabhan ASHG Communications Manager 301.634.7346 press@ashg.org For Immediate Release Wednesday, December 7, 2016 2:45 pm U.S. Eastern Time BETHESDA, MD – The American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG) commends Congress for strengthening privacy protections for genetics research participants as part of the 21st Century Cures Act (H.R.34) passed on December 7. These... Read More

Supporting Genetic Nondiscrimination in Canada

Supporting Genetic Nondiscrimination in Canada

In 2016, the Parliament of Canada debated bill S-201, the Genetic Non-Discrimination Act, which would ensure that all Canadians can benefit from genetics-based clinical advances without fear of genetic discrimination. ASHG has long supported the establishment of strong protections against genetic discrimination worldwide, and as such, advocated in favor of S-201. The bill was signed... Read More

NGS-based In Vitro Diagnostics

NGS-based In Vitro Diagnostics

In 2015 and 2016, ASHG submitted comments to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on two related proposed regulations for Next Generation Sequencing (NGS)-based in vitro diagnostics. Appreciative of being engaged in the process, ASHG submitted comments to further inform and clarify the issue. Related: Comments on “Use of Standards in FDA Regulatory Oversight... Read More

ASHG Issues Statement Supporting Licensure of Genetic Counselors

ASHG Issues Statement Supporting Licensure of Genetic Counselors

Media Contact: Nalini Padmanabhan ASHG Communications Manager 301.634.7346 press@ashg.org For Immediate Release Thursday, September 10, 2015 3:00 pm U.S. Eastern Time (UTC-05:00) BETHESDA, MD – The American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG) issued today a statement of support for state licensure of certified genetic counselors. To receive and maintain licensure, providers would need to receive... Read More