What is the regulatory framework governing genetic screening in Canada?
In Canada, there are no legal rules specifically addressing genetic screening. However, certain Canadian organizations have created recommendations in this area. • For example, the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada has guidelines on specific subjects, such as Prenatal Screening for Foetal Aneuploidy (2007). According to these guidelines, screening programs should include a non-directive genetic counseling service and respect patient choices to either accept or refuse all options or screening offered to them at any time during the process. Another example is the Carrier Screening for Genetic Disorders in Individuals of Ashkenazi Jewish Descent, which establishes the criteria for the implementation of a carrier screening program. • The Canadian Paediatric Society has created Guidelines for Genetic Testing of Healthy Children (2003). These state that the child’s best interests should be the primary consideration in undergoing screening.
