Welcome

The advances in human genetics that have occurred during the past twenty years have revolutionised knowledge of the role of inheritance in health and disease. We now know that our DNA can not only cause single-gene disorders (e.g. Down Syndrome, Fragile X, Phenylketonuria), but also predispose us to cancer, heart disease, psychiatric disorders and even to some infectious diseases.

The Department of Human Services provides funding and support for general paediatric and adult genetic and familial cancer services in Victoria. These services provide high quality integrated diagnosis, clinical care, counselling, screening, predictive testing, education and professional training.

The aim of these services is to reduce the impact of genetic conditions on individuals who may be affected and their families/carers, and to assist them in their ability to make informed choices about managing their health.

The guiding principles that support this policy include:

• partnerships
• enabling environments
• the involvement of stakeholders, particularly affected communities
• access and equity
• human rights, absence of discrimination and marginalisation
• ethical practice including attention to privacy and confidentiality concerns, and
• addressing issues across the spectrum of the condition.