What necessary courses of action would need to be identified to make access to molecular diagnostics as good as possible?
You have to think about a lot of different things and, first and foremost, the law on genetic testing. Genetic testing is not an ordinary diagnostic test. It is very often the case that it is done only once in a lifetime. The Law on Genetic Testing will help regulate issues related to such a test. Another issue is the addition of new genetic tests to the basket of guaranteed services. Genetic diagnostics is changing tremendously, and completely new methods of genetic testing are entering, which can evaluate a huge number of genes in a single test. Another issue is staffing. After all, someone has to do these tests. There is a need for clinical geneticists, of whom we have only about 140 in Poland. There is a need for definitely more, but also a need for new specializations, new professions. Fortunately, there is already a new specialization: medical molecular genetics. The first exam will be in May. I also know that there is a positive recommendation from the Supreme Chamber of Nurses and Midwives for genetic nurses. We are waiting for a completely new profession - genetic counselor in oncology. Accreditation of genetic laboratories is also needed. Fortunately, the Polish Society of Human Genetics has certified genetic laboratories.
Why this is so important, looking at it from the point of view of the patient first and foremost.
This law safeguards the rights of the patient, it guarantees the quality of the tests, because this is also the supervision of laboratories. It is also about respecting the patient's right to know and to not know. The issue of in whom genetic tests can be done and in whom they cannot be done will be regulated. It is also about people who have limited capacity to give consent, namely children and people with intellectual disabilities. The law also talks about sending genetic material abroad. This is strictly protected in some countries, while in Poland there is no regulation. There is also the issue of repositories for genetic material. He can't be thrown away, but must be stored. This is important for the next generations. This is also a special protection, because it is, after all, genetic information, the most personal data. This is all what this law regulates.
