§ 2730. Declaration of policy. Occurrence of malformation or
inherited disease at the time of birth is a tragedy for the child, the
family and the community, and a matter of vital concern to the public
health. In order to provide for the protection and promotion of the
health of the inhabitants of the state, the department of health shall
have the central and comprehensive responsibility for the development
and administration of the state's policy with respect to the conduct of
scientific investigations and research concerning the causes,
prevention, treatment and cure of birth defects and genetic and allied
diseases.