ASHG

ASHG
Name	American Society of Human Genetics
Abbreviation	ASHG
Formation	1948
Type	Professional society
Headquarters	United States
Fields	Human genetics, Genomics, Genetic counseling

ASHG

The American Society of Human Genetics is a professional organization founded in 1948 that brings together researchers, clinicians, educators, and policymakers in human genetics and genomics. It convenes scientists from institutions such as Harvard University, Johns Hopkins University, National Institutes of Health, Stanford University, and University of California, San Francisco to advance research, education, and policy. Members include investigators affiliated with Broad Institute, Sanger Institute, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Mayo Clinic, and University of Oxford and awardees of honors like the Lasker Award and the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.

History

The society emerged after World War II amid developments at places including Columbia University, University of Chicago, University of Michigan, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Yale University. Early leaders were influenced by work at Rockefeller University, King's College London, Cambridge University, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, and clinical programs at Johns Hopkins Hospital. ASHG grew alongside landmark discoveries such as the Watson and Crick model, the elucidation of the genetic code, and the mapping efforts culminating in the Human Genome Project. Its history intersects with debates at institutions like World Health Organization, National Academies of Sciences, and Council for Responsible Genetics over issues including eugenics controversies and the adoption of statements responding to events at Nazi Germany and policies debated in the United States Congress.

Mission and Activities

ASHG advances research at centers such as NIH Clinical Center, Broad Institute, and Wellcome Sanger Institute while promoting clinical translation through partnerships with American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics, Genetics Society of America, European Society of Human Genetics, World Health Organization, and patient advocacy groups like Genetic Alliance and Global Alliance for Genomics and Health. The society issues position statements informed by committees with members from Food and Drug Administration, National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, European Commission, and academic departments at University of California, Berkeley. It recognizes achievements with awards named after figures associated with Barbara McClintock, Rosalind Franklin, and Francis Crick and runs programs that interact with foundations such as the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation and the Wellcome Trust.

Annual Meeting

The ASHG annual meeting is a major international conference attended by representatives from NIH, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Broad Institute, Sanger Institute, University of Cambridge, Harvard Medical School, Stanford Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and biotechnology firms such as Illumina, Thermo Fisher Scientific, and Regeneron. Sessions feature presentations connected to landmark projects like the 1000 Genomes Project, UK Biobank, All of Us Research Program, ENCODE Project, and Cancer Genome Atlas. The meeting includes workshops on ethics informed by rulings such as Griswold v. Connecticut (privacy discourse), panels with representatives from U.S. Supreme Court-related legal scholars, and career development sessions featuring leaders from American Association for the Advancement of Science, National Science Foundation, and major universities.

Research and Advocacy

ASHG supports genomic research that builds on consortia including International HapMap Project, Human Genome Project, GTEx Consortium, 1000 Genomes Project, and initiatives at Wellcome Sanger Institute and Broad Institute. The society advocates on policy issues before bodies such as United States Congress, European Parliament, World Health Organization, National Institutes of Health, and Food and Drug Administration concerning topics like data sharing, privacy, and access to genomic medicine. It engages with legal questions exemplified by cases such as Association for Molecular Pathology v. Myriad Genetics and standards influenced by organizations like American Medical Association and American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics.

Education and Outreach

ASHG runs educational programs that connect with curricula at institutions such as Howard University, Spelman College, University of California, Los Angeles, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, and outreach partners including Smithsonian Institution and American Museum of Natural History. Initiatives support training for genetic counselors associated with National Society of Genetic Counselors and graduate education linked to programs at Yale School of Medicine, UCSF School of Medicine, and Columbia University Irving Medical Center. Public engagement efforts reference media outlets such as Nature, Science, New England Journal of Medicine, The New York Times, and BBC and collaborate with patient organizations like Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and Alzheimer's Association.

Organization and Governance

ASHG is governed by an elected council and officers drawn from academic centers including Harvard Medical School, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. Committees coordinate with agencies such as National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and international partners like European Society of Human Genetics and World Health Organization. The society administers awards and fellowships that have been held by scientists affiliated with Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Broad Institute, Sanger Institute, Mayo Clinic, and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

Category:Scientific societies in the United States