Rogers: Genetic Testing Is Not a Commercial Money-Making Venture

Rogers said the regulation, issued under the Medical and Chemical Laboratories Law, did not resolve the problems affecting genetic laboratories in the country and could instead introduce further risks.

Noting that technological advances had made genetic testing more accessible and reduced its cost, Rogers said the growing tendency to market genetic tests as commercial products was creating serious concerns.

“The state’s duty is not to surrender this field to commercial interests, but to regulate and supervise it within the framework of scientific standards, ethical principles and patient safety,” Rogers said.

She added that work was underway on a new Genetic Laboratories Law to address existing gaps in the legislation.

Rogers argued that the newly published regulation paved the way for laboratories with the necessary equipment to operate without being required to employ sufficiently qualified specialist personnel to perform genetic tests and interpret their results.

“GENETIC TESTING IS NOT JUST ABOUT OBTAINING RESULTS FROM A MACHINE”

Emphasising that genetic tests differ from routine biochemistry tests, Rogers said their accurate administration, scientific evaluation and interpretation in relation to a patient’s clinical condition required specialised expertise.

She warned that the misinterpretation of genetic test results could lead to unnecessary anxiety, incorrect medical decisions and serious financial and emotional harm.

Rogers stressed that patient safety must be the priority in a field directly affecting human health.

She said the Health Ministry’s responsibility was not to facilitate the commercial activities of laboratories, but to ensure that the public had access to accurate and reliable healthcare.

“Genetic testing is not a commercial money-making venture,” Rogers said.

Concluding her statement with sharp criticism of the government, Rogers said: “We are counting the days until the harm you have inflicted on this people, and your approach to governance that disregards science and expertise, come to an end.”