§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will introduce legislation to allow search charges to be waived or reduced for people wishing to trace genetically transmitted diseases through previous generations of their family; and if he will make a further statement.
§ Mr. MoyleNo. Anyone concerned about the risk of inherited genetic disorder in their family should seek medical advice. It would normally be expected that anyone concerned about one of the less common inherited disorders which would necesitate attempts to trace the medical history of earlier generations would be referred to a specialist centre which, with the patient's consent could undertake the necessary research. Because of the risk of obtaining misleading and disturbing information I would not wish to encourage individuals to attempt doing this on their own.