MGL Policy Statement - Genetic Testing in Minors

It is the general consensus in the Genetics community that presymptomatic and carrier testing (testing for asymptomatic individuals) should not be performed in minors who cannot provide informed consent. Exceptions may be made for families who receive genetic counselling from a recognized clinical genetics service.

For more detailed statements, please see the links below:

• Canadian College of Medical Geneticists (CCMG) - Joint statement with the Canadian Paediatric Society (CPS) (2003)
• ASHG Position Statement (2015)
• American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Policy Statement (2013)
• European Society of Human Genetics (ESHG) - Recommendations and Background (2009)
• British Society for Human Genetics (BSHG) (2010)
• Human Genetics Society for Australasia (HGSA) (2014)

• American College of Medical Genetics (ACMG) - Joint statement with the American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG) (2000)