Genetic testing for neonates must be restricted, says EC:
This article was originally published in Clinica
Executive Summary
"Genetic testing can certainly help in the early detection of illnesses, but can never be made compulsory". That is the statement being made by European Research Commissioner Philippe Busquin, who denies stories in the media, which has reported that he has called for genetic testing of all newborn babies in Europe. This issue has come to the fore following a recent presentation of recommendations by a Commission expert group looking at the ethical legal and social implications of genetic testing. This group has proposed that for "rare but serious diseases for which treatment is available, member states should introduce universal neonatal screening". A statement issued by the Commission has confirmed that the group "is not asking the European Commission nor member states to launch any global post-natal genetic screening programme, but to consider screening only for those rare and serious diseases for which treatments already exist". For more details on the findings of the group, see: http://europa.eu.int/comm/research/conferences/2004/ genetic/index-en.htm