N.Y. Pub. Health Law § 2730

§ 2730. Declaration of policy. Occurrence of malformation or\ninherited disease at the time of birth is a tragedy for the child, the\nfamily and the community, and a matter of vital concern to the public\nhealth. In order to provide for the protection and promotion of the\nhealth of the inhabitants of the state, the department of health shall\nhave the central and comprehensive responsibility for the development\nand administration of the state's policy with respect to the conduct of\nscientific investigations and research concerning the causes,\nprevention, treatment and cure of birth defects and genetic and allied\ndiseases.\n