It is predicted that 21st century to be a new genetic era. As genetic diseases are constantly mutating and being discovered, genetic specialists faces a daunting task of finding a cure for each individual. As a result, doctors are unable to satisfy all their patients needs or to answer all their inquiries. In many countries we can find teams of medical specialists who serve patients of genetic illnesses. These specialists include medical doctors, genetic counselors, nutritionists, social workers and psychologists.

When we look at the current medical system in Taiwan, even though a few teaching hospitals or medical centers have filled the positions of genetic specialists, nutritionists, psychologists, social workers, etc., the role of genetic counsellors, which is very important and specific in the followup of genetic counselling, is still missing. Therefore, the confirmation of the expertise of genetic counsellors is an important role in the network of genetic counselling.

Since 2001, together with the Taiwan Human Genetic Society, Dr. Wu-Liang Hu from of National Taiwan University Hospital and Dr. Shuan-Pei Lin of Mackay Memorial Hospital, TFRD integrated the Human Resources subsidies fund, as provided by the Council of Labor Affairs, Executive Yuan, to conduct an one-year Genetic Counselling Training Program. We hire graduating students from areas relevant to genetic studies as genetic counsellors. They make clinical rounds at National Taiwan University Hospital and Mackay Memorial Hospital and receive on-field training by genetic specialists. Additionally, they assist patients and doctors with relevant services, connecting the patients and the hospital workers. The foundation also set up the “National Rare Diseases Service Center”, with plans to promote such cooperation models to the genetic health counselling centers in central, southern and eastern Taiwan and set up an initial genetic counselling network.

Up to 2009, there have been 11 genetic counselling centers established in various medical centers and teaching hospitals in Taiwan. The Bureau of Health Promotion has evaluated medical facilities to assure the quality of genetic counseling centers. They are:

Buddhist Tsu Chi Hospital
Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou branch
Changhua Christian Hospital
China Medical University Hospital
Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University
Chung Shan Medical University Hospital
Mackay Memorial Hospital
National Cheng Kung University Hospital
National Taiwan University Hospital
Taichung Veterans General Hospital
Taipei Veterans General Hospital

The establishment of the ”National Rare Diseases Service Network” represents the integration of the national rare disease service networks of the following institutions:
Mackay Memorial Hospital
Northern Taiwan:
National Taiwan University Hospital
Taipei City Hospital, Branch for Women and Children
Taipei Medical University Hospital
Taipei Veterans General Hospital

Central Taiwan:
China Medical University Hospital
Taichung Veterans General Hospital

Southern Taiwan:
Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University,
Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital
National Cheng Kung University Hospital

Eastern Taiwan:
Buddhist Tsu Chi General Hospital  

Together these institutions form a national genetic medical care team that provide medical services to patients of rare diseases.

The establishment of the ”National Rare Diseases Service Network” by the foundation has spearheaded the development of genetic counselling in Taiwan. We hope this demonstrates the importance of genetic counselling and encourages others to follow suit and learn more about our efforts. Currently many domestic genetic counselling centers are actively training professional genetic counsellors. Hopefully in the near future we will reach the next stage of our goals and successfully herald the new era of genetic counselling.