The Southern African Society for Human Genetics (SASHG) is a multi-disciplinary non-discriminatory society with the aims of advancing the practice in science of Human Genetics in Southern Africa, facilitating contact between the various disciplines involved with the field, maintaining the highest ethical and professional standards and providing a forum through which education and contact can be maintained.

The SASHG originated in 1978 as a cytogenetic study group, and was formally launched at an inaugural general meeting in 1986.

Four focus groups, which are formal or informal dedicated subgroups within SASHG, address a specific set of tasks or activity in a particular area of interest within the Society. These focus groups consist of (1) Genetic Counsellors South Africa (2) Medical Genetics group (3) Medical Scientists’ group and (4) Young and Early Career Geneticists Group.

Main aims

Our aims are

• to promote and advance the practice and science of human and medical genetics in Southern Africa
• to facilitate contact between persons in the different branches of human and medical genetics
• to maintain the highest ethical and professional standards in all its affairs and activities
• to arrange conferences and symposia
• to initiate contact with similar organizations in other parts of the world
• to practice its affairs in a non-profit making and non-discriminatory manner