OECD Workshop Vienna 2000 on Genetic Testing: Policy Issues for the New Millennium

The aims and objectives of the Workshop held on 23-25 February 2000, were to:

• Review the current situation in genetic testing and to explore the impact of new genetic technologies upon healthcare practice in the next few years.
• Consider the impact of commercialisation of new genetic technologies on healthcare economics and on the delivery of genetic testing.
• Endorse best practice and make policy statements on:
  - The importance of genetic counselling.
  - Storage and confidentiality relating to samples and genetic data.
  - Facilitating access to genetic testing.
  - Appropriate involvement of patient/consumer groups in policy making, regulation and oversight.
  - Referring tests to accredited facilities.
• To consider the benefits of international harmonisation in the areas of:
  - Regulation of the validation of genetic tests.
  - International recognition of external quality assessment programmes.
  - Standards for recording of genetic data.
  - Evaluation of the efficacy of new genetic tests and technologies.
  - International recognition of laboratory accreditation.

Workshop Programme and Abstracts