Chilean Genetics Society

The Chilean Genetics Society was found in October 1964, joining together all the Chilean geneticists from the areas of medicine, zoology and agriculture. The courses in modern human genetics started in 1963. Chilean participation in international Congresses of Human Genetics began in Chicago in 1966. In 1969, Chilean geneticists participated in the foundation of the ALAG (Association Latinoamericana de Genetica). In 1970, Mendelian genetics had been firmly established in the academic and scientific community in Chile. Its membership consists of most of the active professional geneticists, including researchers, teachers and students. Industry and publishing are also represented in the membership. It is a registered charity that organises meetings to promote genetics, publishes primary research in genetics and supports students to attend meetings. It sponsors research through fieldwork grants and student bursaries, and promotes the public understanding of genetics. The Chilean genetics society Medal is an award that recognizes outstanding research contributions to genetics in chile. The Medal recipient, who should still be active in research at the time the Medal is awarded, will be elected annually by the genetics society committee on the basis of nominations made by any individual member of the society. Those making nominations must be members of the Genetics Society, but there is no requirement for the nominee to be a member, nor any restriction on nationality or residence. Neither current members of the Committee nor those who have retired from office in the past four years may be nominated for the award. The recipient is invited to deliver a lecture at a Genetics Society meeting, where the medal will be awarded, in the year following their election.