OECD Invites Public Comment on Genetic Testing Guidelines

The OECD is inviting the public to comment on proposed new Guidelines for Quality Assurance in Molecular Genetic Testing. Genetic testing – using DNA data - is now a normal procedure to predict, define and cure many health conditions and diseases. The Guidelines offer principles and best practices for human genetic testing by encouraging high quality laboratory practices in the collection and handling of samples and data , result reporting, education and training, and insofar as possible, the clinical validity and utility of the tests.

The guidelines are meant to encourage quality assurance systems for human genetic and genomic testing, guarantee the international exchange of clinical samples and access to data on rare disease testing, and help meet OECD member countries' efforts to supply high quality healthcare to their citizens.

An important number of participants in EuroGentest were involved in the draft of this document!

The OECD is seeking input from people involved in molecular genetic testing. Patients' groups, health authorities, genetic testing laboratories and others are invited to comment before 4 September via e-mail at: qualityassurance.guidelines@oecd.org or through the site: http://www.oecd.org/sti/biotechnology/qualityassurance

For further information of the OECD's work in the field of biotechnology and genetic testing, journalists are invited to contact Elettra Ronchi in the OECD’s directorate of Science, Technology and Industry by e-mail at

Professor Jean-Jacques Cassiman
Arthur Bax and Anna Vanluffelen chair of Human genetics
Center Human Genetics/Centrum Menselijke Erfelijkheid
Campus gasthuisberg
Herestraat 49
B 3000 Leuven
Tel +32 16 34 58 60
Fax +32 16 34 59 97