~W~c13D.6 The Regional Comnittee.
Having examined with i n t e r e s t the document on Public Health Aspects of Human Genetics presented by the Regional Director1;
Considering t h a t human genetics is an important element i n biology. with a large number of specif ic ramifications not only i n c l i n i ca l pathology Lxlt a l so i n preventive medicine and public health;
Noting t h a t i n WHO'S p r o g r a m of research provision is made f o r s tudies i n genetics which a r e expected t o throw l i g h t on a number of basic human health questions,
1. URGES the Governments:
( a ) t o undertake within the framework of the public health services of t he conmunity, a co-ordinated programne f o r diagnosis, treatment and social adaptation of congenital d i s ab i l i t i e s ;
(b) t o par t ic ipate actively i n research work undertaken fo r the study of population genetics especially i n ethnic groups with specif ic inher i ted diseases;
2. REQUESTS the Regional Director t o a s s i s t Governments i n t h e i r e f fo r t s i n this respect by supplying expert advice f o r col lect ing s t a t i s t i c a l data on the geographical dis t r ibut ion of these diseases and establishing adequate diagnosis and treatment of the patients.
August 1963