[Situation of genetics services in Chile].

Due to the demographic changes in Chile, where preventable causes of death are being controlled and congenital malformations arise as an important cause of morbidity and mortality during infancy, of pathological pregnancies and reproductive alterations, medical genetics is becoming increasingly important. Using data from an inquiry that was answered by thirteen medical genetics centers in the country, this article reviews the history of the discipline in Chile, the available resources, the existent services, the main problems found and their eventual solutions, genetics teaching and the research that is being conducted.