It's "back to school" for genetic screening.

Implementation of population genetic screening programmes requires consideration of strategies for reaching the greatest proportion of the target population in order to achieve maximum awareness. This article reviews the current strategy of school-based population genetic screening programmes. The school environment is an ideal setting for offering relevant genetic screening programmes as it provides an opportunity to engage people at a time when they are exposed to a range of educational experiences and are sufficiently mature to be involved in decision-making processes.

Tay Sachs disease carrier screening in schools: educational alternatives and cheekbrush sampling.

Purpose: Tay Sachs disease carrier screening programs have been offered successfully worldwide since 1970. The programs typically offer education, testing, and counseling to provide reproductive choices. One such program has been offered to Jewish school students in Melbourne since 1998.

Multimedia messages in genetics: design, development, and evaluation of a computer-based instructional resource for secondary school students in a Tay Sachs disease carrier screening program.

Purpose: Tay Sachs disease is a recessively inherited neurodegenerative disorder, for which carrier screening programs exist worldwide. Education for those offered a screening test is essential in facilitating informed decision-making. In Melbourne, Australia, we have designed, developed, and evaluated a computer-based instructional resource for use in the Tay Sachs disease carrier screening program for secondary school students attending Jewish schools.