Over the past few years, rapid advances in genetics and related medical applications have raised growing concerns about the resulting educational needs of the general public, professionals and others. In 1997, the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) responded by recruiting a diverse group of stakeholders to comprise a Genetics Education Steering Committee (GESC). As part of this effort, research and public hearings were conducted by EvansGroup, who used the information gathered to draft a plan for delivering well coordinated and comprehensive genetics education to Washingtonians over the next three to five years.

This genetics education plan is intended to be a living document, designed for implementation and revision as needed to reflect new understanding in a changing environment. While DOH facilitated the development of this plan, it is the product of, and belongs to, all of the many stakeholders who played a role in its development. Its ultimate success or failure as a tool for planning and action depends on its adoption and application by these and other organizations in a position to share information and educate others.

(PDF: 660K / 155 pages) wagenetic.pdf

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