[Transition of molecular medicine from research to practice: tasks of the Swiss Academy of Medical Sciences (SAMW)]. / Ubergang der molekularen Medizin von der Forschung in die Praxis: Aufgaben der SAMW.

ABSTRACT

During the symposium discussions were held in workshops on how the SAMS can support the transition of "molecular medicine" from research into practice. This transition is currently happening in prenatal diagnostics. With the help of molecular medicine doctors are at an early stage able to diagnose a variety of diseases, preliminary stages and dispositions of diseases--even with the unborn. Gene-diagnostics stands as a promising method of investigation, with no therapeutic equivalent yet. Here the SAMS should as soon as possible develop guidelines for the responsible use of gene-diagnostic methods; besides, the Academy should work towards connecting the use of gene-diagnostic methods to certain professional requirements. Furthermore, the SAMS is expected to ensure good basic and further training in the field of "molecular medicine" and to support "evidence-based medicine".