title: Molecular genetics in the National Health Service in Britain.
abstract: A recent report from the Departments of Health draws attention to the value of DNA diagnosis for inherited diseases and the need for planning these services in the National Health Service. There is great potential for preventive medicine, but a major immediate benefit is the newfound ability to exclude the carrier state in many people at risk and to protect fetuses from abortion when, as in most cases, they are shown to be normal by DNA tests. However, the widespread application of these new techniques requires prior evaluation and general acceptance. This will only be obtained after public debate, education of professionals and the population, and the establishment of adequate non-directive genetic counselling services. Some of the points to be considered in setting up molecular genetics laboratories are described.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Genetics, St Mary's Hospital, Manchester.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Elles
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Craufurd
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dodge
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ivinson
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hodgkinson
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mountford
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schwartz
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Strachan
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Read
mesh_terms: D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000175:diagnosis; D005544:Forecasting; D005820:Genetic Testing / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D006816:Huntington Disease / Q000175:diagnosis; D008967:Molecular Biology; D009136:Muscular Dystrophies / Q000175:diagnosis; D009934:Organization and Administration; D007690:Polycystic Kidney Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D013222:State Medicine; D006113:United Kingdom