What are the key international policy positions addressing genetic screening?
A number of normative international documents address genetic screening. Key documents are highlighted below: • The World Health Organization (WHO), in its report entitled Medical Genetic Services in Developing Countries (2006), states that genetic screening programs must be supported by public education measures and genetic counseling. Furthermore, decisions concerning participation in these programs must be voluntary and informed. • In its Report on the Control of Genetic Diseases (2005), the WHO specifies that genetic screening programs must be supported by statutory structures, allowing people to make informed decisions and to ensure that they are protected against all forms of discrimination related to test results. • The WHO also has a more specific report dealing with genetic screening for sickle-cell anaemia (Report by the secretariat of WHO: Sickle-cell anaemia, 2006).
