Pat Upton
Ceist:20 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Health if genetic testing is being carried out in this country to determine genetic predisposition to disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Genetic Counselling.
Pat Upton
Ceist:185 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Health if he will establish a committee to consider and make recommendations on the ethical issues that arise from the development of genetic testing which can establish whether individuals will suffer from certain diseases in the future.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 20 and 185 together.
Genetic counselling is largely provided in paediatric hospitals, paediatric units and in obstetic hospitals and units throughout the country. Genetic screening and testing facilities are available in the major university hospitals, in Dublin, Cork, and Galway.
As the Deputy may be aware, funds have been allocated over the past two years to Our Lady's Hospital for sick children in Crumlin for the establishment of a major medical genetics centre.
A consultant medical geneticist/ professor of human genetics has been appointed to head up the service, and is expected to take up duty at the hospital on the 1 July 1994. In the meantime, the appointee has been actively involved in the arrangements for the setting up of the Medical Genetics Laboratory at the hospital.
In relation to the ethical issues arising from genetic counselling, the position is that the ethical guidelines for the running of the unit are a matter for the hospital authorities and must conform to the standards set down by the Medical Council and the Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in relation to reproductive medicine.