A DNA diagnostic service

We describe the use of techniques of DNA analysis for the diagnosis of certain inherited diseases during life and in the prenatal period, and for the diagnosis of some infectious diseases. Most local and some national needs for predictive genetic testing have been met. The costs of establishing our service are presented and are compared with those of similar services recently established in the United Kingdom. In the 12 month period described, running costs were approximately $57,000 and salaries for the two scientific officers and the medical technologist required to run the service were $97,000. The prerequisites for the successful running of such a service are discussed.