191.323. Powers and duties of department of health and senior services in prevention and treatment of genetic diseases and birth defects.

Powers and duties of department of health and senior services inprevention and treatment of genetic diseases and birth defects.

191.323. The department may:

(1) Develop and implement programs of professional educationfor physicians, medical students, nurses, scientists, techniciansand therapists regarding the causes, methods of treatment,prevention and cure of genetic diseases;

(2) Develop and implement public educational programsregarding genetic diseases and birth defects and programsavailable for genetic diagnosis, treatment and counseling;

(3) Conduct or support scientific research concerning thecauses, mortality, methods of treatment, prevention and cure ofgenetic diseases which are considered to be of major importanceto the problems of genetic disease and birth defects in Missouri,in cooperation with other public and private agencies, except asprovided in section 188.037, RSMo;

(4) Maintain a central registry to collect and store data tofacilitate the compiling of statistical information on thecauses, treatment, prevention and cure of genetic diseases.Identifying information shall remain confidential pursuant to theprovisions of section 191.315. Information will be reported tothe Missouri board of health and other health care agencies sothat it may be used for the prevention and treatment of geneticdiseases and birth defects;

(5) Support genetic trainees annually for the pursuit oftraining in institutions in the state;

(6) Support new program development and specialized serviceswhich are not otherwise available and are considered by thedepartment to be of major importance to the public health ofMissouri.

(L. 1985 H.B. 612 § 191.320 subsec. 2)