In 2000, recognizing the involvement of ASHG members in gene therapy research and implementation, ASHG issued a statement commenting on the need for rigorous research and consideration of patient interests. Related: Statement on Gene Therapy (August 2000) Read More
In April 2000, the U.S. Secretary’s Advisory Committee on Genetic Testing issued a set of recommendations for the oversight of genetic testing. ASHG voiced general agreement with the recommendations, and provided comments from the perspective of geneticists to further clarify and refine them. Related: Comments on SACGT Preliminary Recommendations on Oversight of Genetic Testing (May... Read More
In 2000, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office released revised interim guidelines that raised the bar for patent eligibility of nucleic acid sequences. ASHG supports the PTO’s new standard of “specific, substantial and credible” utility in its revised guidelines, and suggested an extension of this standard to keep pace with current and planned research. Related:... Read More
Genetic information about an individual reveals genetic risk information about both the individual and other family members. ASHG issued a statement in 2000 considering the importance of family medical history in genetics research and its balance with ensuring the genetic privacy of research participants’ relatives, and one in 1998 commenting on this balance in the... Read More
ASHG reaffirms its commitment to the fundamental principle of reproductive freedom and unequivocally declares its opposition to coercive efforts to restrict that freedom based on the misuse of genetic information. Related: Statement on Eugenics and the Misuse of Genetic Information to Restrict Reproductive Freedom (February 1999) Read More