Professional Guidance

In 2015, ASHG issued a position statement on ethical, legal, and psychosocial implications of genetic testing in children and adolescents. Published in The American Journal of Human Genetics, the statement aims to guide approaches to genetic testing for children in the research and clinical contexts. Related: Infographics: Pediatric Genetic Testing (March 2016) Points to Consider:... Read More

Following rapid innovation in non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT), ASHG and the European Society of Human Genetics published a joint statement in the European Journal of Human Genetics that addressed the responsible use of these tests across conditions and how they might fit with existing approaches. Related: Statement: Non-invasive Prenatal Testing for Aneuploidy and Beyond: Challenges... 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

Behavioral genetics brings to light both genetic and environmental influences on behavior. ASHG commented on the state of this field, including recent accomplishments, future directions, and methods, in a 1997 statement. Related: Statement: Developments in Human Behavioral Genetics: Past Accomplishments and Future Directions (June 1997) Read More

In 2000, recognizing the potential for increased use of genetic testing in adoption, ASHG and the American College of Medical Genetics issued recommendations for its use in newborns and children, keeping the best interests of the child paramount. This followed a brief 1991 report on points to consider related to genetics and adoption. Related: Statement... Read More