Genetic Diseases Act

In 1976, P.L. 94-278, the National Sickle Cell Anemia, Cooley's Anemia, Tay-Sachs, and Genetic Diseases Act, consolidated the separate 1972 acts for sickle cell anemia (P.L. 92-294) and Cooley's anemia (P.L. 92-414), and added six other genetic conditions. P.L. 94-278 aimed "to establish a national program to provide for basic and applied research, research training, testing, counseling, and information and education programs with respect to genetic diseases, including sickle cell anemia, Cooley's anemia, Tay-Sachs disease, cystic fibrosis, dysautonomia, hemophilia, retinitis pigmentosa, Huntington's chorea, and muscular dystrophy." In 1978, Congress amended the Act to include "genetic conditions" (P.L. 85-262). Congress appropriated more than $35 million over the course of three fiscal years (1979-1981) to implement the National Genetic Disease Act (P.L. 95-626).