Global collaboration for the development of genetic services in developing countries: the role of the European Union
The EuroGentest Network of Excellence (NoE) was selected for funding by the EU commission under the 6th framework program based on studies, which showed that the genetic services in the EU were of unequal quality within and between the Member States and lacked a harmonized approach. Moreover it became clear that many genetic tests were provided without or with only minimal counseling, and that information for patients and professionals was limited or of variable quality.
A major goal of the NoE was to make available on a central website www.euroGentest.org quality checked information on all facilities providing genetic services in the EU, on common guidelines and recommendations for service provision, on educational opportunities and material, on IPR issues pertaining specifically to genetic testing, on validated new technologies for testing. In addition, interactions with European, US, Canadian, Australian and global organizations (such as OECD, ISO, a.o.) would be facilitated and strengthened to maintain an international dimension to the NoE. As a first opening to developing countries, participants from the Republic of Serbia-Montenegro and from Ecuador were included in the NoE. The NoE also provides support for training opportunities and fellowships for participants and for geneticists, who are not directly involved in the network, but want to be trained in one of the centers participating in the NoE. The network does of course make all the information it has collected freely available on its website. Support for training is available. The EU commission as well as many European institutions make available support for collaborative programs. A list of these will be made available at the workshop. To be successful, potential collaborations will also require that the services in the developing countries make themselves and their needs known so that efficient interactions can indeed be set up in respect of the needs and possibilities of all those involved.