Statement

In 2015, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) invited comment on its draft guidance for the regulatory oversight of laboratory-developed tests (LDTs). With a focus on genetic and genomic testing, ASHG submitted comments on the proposed regulatory oversight of such tests. Related: Comments Submitted in Response to FDA’s Draft Guidance: Framework for Regulatory Oversight... Read More

ASHG supports the teaching of evolution in public schools, and is disappointed by Tennessee’s enactment of a bill that weakens K-12 science instruction. House Bill 38, which became law in April 2012, undermined the teaching of evolution and several other scientific topics that form the basis of public scientific literacy. Related: ASHG Statement on Tennessee... Read More

In 2010, ASHG issued a policy statement outlining guiding principles related to patenting and licensing in the genetic testing arena. These principles address protection of intellectual property, quality of testing, and access to testing. Related: Guiding Principles on Protection of Intellectual Property: Patenting and Licensing in the Genetic Testing Arena (April 2010) Read More

In 2007, geneticist James Watson was quoted regarding alleged intellectual inferiority among Africans. ASHG found the comments to be tragically misguided and without scientific foundation. Related: Statement: ASHG response to Recent Comments on Intellectual Ability (November 2007) Read More

With the rise of direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic tests – tests that are ordered directly by consumers and whose results are reported without a health provider’s involvement – ASHG issued a statement in 2007 on such tests that make health-related claims or directly affect health care decision making. The statement includes recommendations to ensure transparency, provider... Read More