More collaboration is needed about benefits of new genetic screening tests

BMJ 1998;317:471 ( 15 August )

Letters

More collaboration is needed about benefits of new genetic screening tests

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EDITOR $---$ Gill and Richards request a full and rigorous assessment of the benefits and costs of introducing new genetic screeningtests.¹ They point out the need for collaboration between geneticists,public health specialists, and primary care teams and emphasisethe importance of the generalpublic.

A spot analysis of data available for East Sussex, Brighton and Hove Health Authority for the current financial year (1997-8)from an eligible general population of roughly 730 000 shows atleast 28 referrals to date for genetic testing, of which 18 werefunded, six were cancelled by the originator, and the remainderare still in progress. Readiness to undergo testing involves thecapacity of the funding commissioners to ensure that there isa confirmed benefit to the patient so that they can fund suchtesting. This is in concert with one of the principles identifiedby Wilson and Jungner for successful screening: "there shouldbe an . . . [Full text of this article]