Section 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.