Abstract
DNA technology is developing rapidly and on many fronts. Our understanding of the links between DNA and disease risk and/or treatment is expanding. DNA-technology is already used to treat people and predict disease risk, but it is unclear how DNA technology can be applied best. The Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport is therefore drafting a strategy and policy plan for the use of DNA-technology.
RIVM asked stakeholders such as healthcare providers, researchers, patient representatives and product developers what topics they find relevant within DNA-technology. They were asked for which purposes the Netherlands should use DNA-technology, and under what conditions. The respondents identified a wide potential for using such technology to improve public health. For instance, DNA technology could be used more for better (early) detection and treatment of (hereditary forms) cancer. However, more knowledge is needed about the links between DNA and health and how advances in DNA technology can enhance health. Insights in costs are also needed.
The conditions under which this technology is to be used are also important. Among other things, this is because DNA technology touches on societal issues around disease risk: not everyone wants to be confronted with their own or family members’ DNA profiles, and not everyone is willing to make personal health information available for the research needed to expand knowledge in this field.
The respondents therefore feel it is important to make the purposes for which DNA technology is to be used dependent on public demand. The general public was central in the stakeholders’ input, and people should be free to choose which uses are and are not acceptable to them. Moreover, there are developments in healthcare – such as digitalization and an increasing focus on prevention – which any use of such technologies must take into account.
RIVM asked stakeholders such as healthcare providers, researchers, patient representatives and product developers what topics they find relevant within DNA-technology. They were asked for which purposes the Netherlands should use DNA-technology, and under what conditions. The respondents identified a wide potential for using such technology to improve public health. For instance, DNA technology could be used more for better (early) detection and treatment of (hereditary forms) cancer. However, more knowledge is needed about the links between DNA and health and how advances in DNA technology can enhance health. Insights in costs are also needed.
The conditions under which this technology is to be used are also important. Among other things, this is because DNA technology touches on societal issues around disease risk: not everyone wants to be confronted with their own or family members’ DNA profiles, and not everyone is willing to make personal health information available for the research needed to expand knowledge in this field.
The respondents therefore feel it is important to make the purposes for which DNA technology is to be used dependent on public demand. The general public was central in the stakeholders’ input, and people should be free to choose which uses are and are not acceptable to them. Moreover, there are developments in healthcare – such as digitalization and an increasing focus on prevention – which any use of such technologies must take into account.
| Translated title of the contribution | DNA technology for the Dutch population.: Field consultation for a DNA strategy and policy plan for the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport |
|---|---|
| Original language | Dutch |
| Number of pages | 60 |
| Publication status | Published - 28 Feb 2023 |