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Towards quality assurance and harmonization of genetic testing services in the European Union

Nature Biotechnology volume 22, pages 1230–1235 (2004)Cite this article

Although quality assurance schemes have been proven effective in preventing genetic testing errors, a recent survey of services in the EU reveals that laboratory participation in these schemes is fragmented and incomplete.

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Figure 1: Genetic testing laboratory affiliations.

Bob Crimi

Figure 2: Trends in genetic testing activity.

Bob Crimi

Figure 3: Participation in external quality assessment schemes (EQA) schemes of different diseases during the last five years.

Bob Crimi

Figure 4: QA systems implementation and inspections of genetic diagnostic laboratories.

Bob Crimi

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Acknowledgements

The study was done within the framework of the European Science and Technology Observatory Network. The European Molecular Genetics Quality Network and the Cystic Fibrosis Thematic Network were main cornerstones in producing the surveys.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. European Commission, Joint Research Center (JRC), Institute for Prospective Technological Studies (IPTS), Edificio Expo, Seville, E-41092, Spain

    Dolores Ibarreta & Emilio Rodriguez-Cerezo

  2. Department of Medical Genetics, National Genetics Reference Laboratory (Manchester), St. Mary's Hospital, Hathersage Road, Manchester, M13 0JH, UK

    Robert Elles

  3. Center for Human Genetics, Campus Gasthuisberg, Leuven, B-3000, Belgium

    Jean-Jacques Cassiman & Elisabeth Dequeker

Authors
  1. Dolores Ibarreta
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  2. Robert Elles
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  3. Jean-Jacques Cassiman
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  4. Emilio Rodriguez-Cerezo
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  5. Elisabeth Dequeker
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Elisabeth Dequeker.

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Ibarreta, D., Elles, R., Cassiman, JJ. et al. Towards quality assurance and harmonization of genetic testing services in the European Union. Nat Biotechnol 22, 1230–1235 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1038/nbt1004-1230

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