BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam//NONSGML v1.0//EN NAME:PhD defence S.M. Onstwedder METHOD:PUBLISH BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART:20260325T154500 DTEND:20260325T171500 DTSTAMP:20260325T154500 UID:2026/phd-defence-s-m-onstwedde@8F96275E-9F55-4B3F-A143-836282E12573 CREATED:20260413T090808 LOCATION:(1st floor) Auditorium, Main building De Boelelaan 1105 1081 HV Amsterdam SUMMARY:PhD defence S.M. Onstwedder X-ALT-DESC;FMTTYPE=text/html:

Public health genomics: guiding policy towards a responsible pursuit of health benefit

< h3>Growing knowledge about DNA offers opportunities for publi c health, but requires careful choices

New DNA knowle dge and DNA technologies offer major opportunities for public health, but also require careful implementation and broad collaboration. Thi s is shown by research conducted by Suzanne Onstwedder, affiliated wi th the RIVM and the Department of Human Genetics at Amsterdam UMC, on the responsible application of genetic information within and beyond public healthcare.

More possibilities for prevention a nd treatment

Knowledge about our DNA is growing rapidl y. As a result, new opportunities are emerging to detect diseases ear lier, improve diagnoses, and better tailor treatments to individual p atients. DNA research can provide insights into hereditary conditions , as well as genetic risks for common diseases such as cardiovascular disease or cancer. Early detection through screening and more target ed treatments can lead to health gains. According to Onstwedder, thes e developments could significantly strengthen public health.

Complex and sensitive

At the same time, genetic information is complex and sensitive. DNA is unique to each individua l and contains information about personal traits and health risks. Mo reover, family members share part of their DNA. A test performed on o ne person can therefore also reveal information about relatives - som etimes without their knowledge or consent. In her research, Onstwedde r emphasizes the need for careful consideration of potential risks, s uch as unwanted knowledge about hereditary predispositions, privacy i nfringements, and uncertainty about what information is needed for ci tizens and patients to make informed decisions.

Also be yond healthcare: large-scale research and self-tests

O nstwedder mainly examined applications outside regular healthcare in two domains: large-scale scientific DNA research and the market for c ommercial direct-to-consumer DNA self-tests. In these contexts, it is especially important to carefully consider quality, reliability, and guidance. Through self-tests, citizens can obtain information about their genetic predispositions without the involvement of a physician. This increases accessibility, but also raises questions about interp retation, privacy, and potential anxiety.

Collaboration crucial for responsible application

Onstwedder conclu des that technological research and progress alone are not sufficient . In addition to technical and clinical research, ethical, societal, and legal analyses are also necessary. Responsible use of DNA technol ogy therefore requires collaboration among many stakeholders, includi ng researchers, healthcare professionals, policymakers, legal experts , ethicists, citizens, and patients. Doctors and researchers must car efully consider which genetic information they generate and communica te back. At the same time, citizens and patients must be well informe d about the possible consequences of a DNA test.

Ongoin g dialogue needed

Because knowledge about DNA is conti nuously evolving, encouraging dialogue among professionals from diffe rent disciplines and society at large is essential. Only by bringing together different perspectives can responsible use be defined - now and in the future. DNA technology offers many opportunities to improv e health, but requires care, transparency, and shared responsibility to use those opportunities safely and fairly. β€œThe lessons from my research help RIVM move forward in research and policy advice for min istries, such as the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport,” said O nstwedder.

More information on the thesis

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Growing knowledge about DNA offers opportunit ies for public health, but requires careful choices

New DNA knowledge and DNA technologies offer major opportunities for pub lic health, but also require careful implementation and broad collabo ration. This is shown by research conducted by Suzanne Onstwedder, af filiated with the RIVM and the Department of Human Genetics at Amster dam UMC, on the responsible application of genetic information within and beyond public healthcare. More possibilities for prevent ion and treatment Knowledge about our DNA is growing rapidly . As a result, new opportunities are emerging to detect diseases earl ier, improve diagnoses, and better tailor treatments to individual pa tients. DNA research can provide insights into hereditary conditions, as well as genetic risks for common diseases such as cardiovascular disease or cancer. Early detection through screening and more targete d treatments can lead to health gains. According to Onstwedder, these developments could significantly strengthen public health. C omplex and sensitive At the same time, genetic information i s complex and sensitive. DNA is unique to each individual and contain s information about personal traits and health risks. Moreover, famil y members share part of their DNA. A test performed on one person can therefore also reveal information about relatives - sometimes withou t their knowledge or consent. In her research, Onstwedder emphasizes the need for careful consideration of potential risks, such as unwant ed knowledge about hereditary predispositions, privacy infringements, and uncertainty about what information is needed for citizens and pa tients to make informed decisions. Also beyond healthcare: la rge-scale research and self-tests Onstwedder mainly examined applications outside regular healthcare in two domains: large-scale scientific DNA research and the market for commercial direct-to-consu mer DNA self-tests. In these contexts, it is especially important to carefully consider quality, reliability, and guidance. Through self-t ests, citizens can obtain information about their genetic predisposit ions without the involvement of a physician. This increases accessibi lity, but also raises questions about interpretation, privacy, and po tential anxiety. Collaboration crucial for responsible applic ation Onstwedder concludes that technological research and p rogress alone are not sufficient. In addition to technical and clinic al research, ethical, societal, and legal analyses are also necessary . Responsible use of DNA technology therefore requires collaboration among many stakeholders, including researchers, healthcare profession als, policymakers, legal experts, ethicists, citizens, and patients. Doctors and researchers must carefully consider which genetic informa tion they generate and communicate back. At the same time, citizens a nd patients must be well informed about the possible consequences of a DNA test. Ongoing dialogue needed Because knowledg e about DNA is continuously evolving, encouraging dialogue among prof essionals from different disciplines and society at large is essentia l. Only by bringing together different perspectives can responsible u se be defined - now and in the future. DNA technology offers many opp ortunities to improve health, but requires care, transparency, and sh ared responsibility to use those opportunities safely and fairly. β€œ The lessons from my research help RIVM move forward in research and p olicy advice for ministries, such as the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport,” said Onstwedder. More information on the thesis Public health genomics: guiding policy towards a responsible pursuit of health benefit END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR