Societies and Organizations Serving Human Genetics and Genomics
Since ASHG’s founding in 1948, the human genetics community has grown tremendously as the transformative knowledge it generates now spans and influences all areas of science, health and society. ASHG remains an interdisciplinary, welcoming community for all people interested in human genetics and genomics investigation. Additionally, ASHG has helped create, nurture or partner with new organizations with specialized interests. These now form part of the broad and valued ecosystem of mature societies and organizations serving human genetics and genomics:
- The National Society of Genetic Counselors was formed in 1979 as the professional society advancing the genetic counseling profession. The American Board of Genetic Counseling, independent certification board, followed in 1991.
- Certification was recognized as crucial to clinical applications of genetics, and in 1981, ASHG helped found the American Board of Medical Genetics and Genomics.
- In 1991, ASHG supported the creation of American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics, a sister society dedicated to clinical medical genetics.
- To advance teaching of medical genetics and genomics, the Association of Professors of Medical/Human Genetics was incorporated in 1995.
- ASHG works globally in strong partnership with the European Society of Human Genetics (ESHG), founded in 1967.
- With ESHG, it supported the creation of the International Federation of Human Genetics Societies in 1996.
- ASHG values a strong partnership with the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI). Originally founded as the National Center for Human Genome Research in 1989 to lead the International Human Genome Project, today NHGRI is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the U.S. medical research agency, and drives progress at the forefront of genomics. Human genetics research also now informs discovery and application in all NIH institutes and centers.
ASHG actively engages in a range of partnerships and alliances with organizations invested in advancing human genetics and genomics. See our current partnerships here.