Estonia is being tested – Estonia initiates a state-funded genetic test program to prevent and reduce health problems

Thu, 2018 / 04 / 26

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Ihr Ansprechpartner Prof. Matthias P. Schönermark, M.D., Ph.D.
Prof. Matthias P. Schönermark, M.D., Ph.D.
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What private companies like the Californian “23andMe” have been demonstrating for several years is now offered for the first time by a government. Estonia plans to conduct DNA tests on about 100,000 of their citizens (corresponding to around 8% of the Estonian population) and intends to make health and lifestyle recommendations based on the analysis results. The program, which is funded by the state and supported with around 5 million euros, aims to minimize health problems by warning and educating tested persons who show a high risk for diseases such as diabetes or cardiovascular diseases. The program is criticized from ethical and scientific perspective. According to Hugh Whittall, director of the Nuffield Council on Bioethics (London, UK), the interpretation of genetic test results is not easy at all; therefore, the test results could cause unnecessary worry for people who are tested with a higher risk for certain diseases.

Since start of the the program in March 2018, around 10,000 Estonians have already been registered for participation. The future will tell whether Estonia will become a role model for other governments with this innovative digital health program.

As a strategic consultancy with many years of experience in the healthcare industry, SKC knows about the opportunities, impediments and unexploited potentials of the digital transformation in the healthcare sector. On June 13, 2018, SKC will discuss the future of Digital Health in Germany with designated experts of the health care and digital industry. Be our guest at the strategy meeting d!talk healthcare no. 8 in Hannover and take part in exciting speeches and intense discussions.

BY Prof. Matthias P. Schönermark, M.D., Ph.D., managing director and Beate Kasper, M.A. sociology

Sources:
Independent: Europe Estonia to DNA test 100,000 residents and give lifestyle advice based on results
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