The commercial DNA testing company iGene offers online DNA testing that could detect cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. According to the IGJ (Health and Youth Care Inspectorate), this means that the company is violating the rules: a license is required to detect cancer or serious diseases for which no treatment or prevention is possible. IGene does not have that license. The IGJ has informed the consumer program Radar that it has reported a violation of the Population Screening Act against iGene. The Public Prosecution Service is now investigating. Criminal prosecution may follow.
The current WBO (Population Screening Act) now has limited options for tackling these types of companies in the Netherlands and abroad, the Inspectorate says. There is a legislative change in the making. The Inspectorate: “the amended WBO [geeft] us more options for enforcement and supervision of companies established abroad and offering care in the Netherlands. As is also the case with iGene. ”
The VKGN (Association of Clinical Genetics Netherlands) says that it is good that the Public Prosecution Service is now investigating iGene’s working method. In addition, she calls on consumers to be careful with online DNA testing. The results are not always reliable and can be very troubling to laymen, especially when it comes to serious diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer’s disease.
The director of iGene joins the studio and gives a reaction, as well as the VKGN.
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