Test yourself!

In vitro diagnostic tests for home-testing have become more and more common. The products are diverse and have many different implications. For example you can buy drug testing products, thyroid tests, colorectal cancer tests, pregnancy tests, ovulation tests and DNA Paternity Tests. You can test your cholesterol, glucose, hormons - and whether or not you are infected with HIV.

Some of the tests are beneficial for the individual as well as for society. In vitro diagnostic hometests can give the individual person more freedom to decide when, where and how they want information on their own health. The tests can save a visit to the doctor, they are discreete and they may contribute to prevention of deseases.

However, in vitro diagnostic hometest do also have some disadvantages. The results of the tests have often proved to be misleading and thus have given people a false sense of security. Hometests may also cause unneccesary pressure on the health care system when people want to be treated for whatever the result of the test has shown.

There are many more advantages and disadvantages than the above mentioned. The aim of the project is to facilitate a debate among experts and stakeholders on how society can make best use of the growing amount of products for in vitro diagnostic home-testing and at the same time avoid the disadvantages.

The result of the discussion should be elaborated and presented at a parliamentary hearing.