Genetic testing

Patients register for genetic testing via their general practitioner or a specialist.

The medical geneticists at medica offer affected people and their families genetic consultations, during which possible causes, prevention, treatment options and the probabilities of re-occurrence can be discussed. To register for genetic advice from our specialists, kindly first book an appointment by phone: +41 044 269 99 54 Genetic advice is voluntary and provided in confidence.

Under the Swiss Federal Act on Human Genetic Testing (HGTA, SR 810.12), referring doctors and specialists are obliged to provide patients with information before and after genetic testing. Such information meetings must be documented by the consulting specialist.

We give our patients sufficient time between the genetic advice/information meeting and the laboratory-based genetic testing to enable them to weigh up the pros and cons of testing and come to a decision.

Laboratory genetic testing may never be conducted without the knowledge of the person concerned or against their will. In the case of people deemed incapable of judgement, prior consent is required from their legal representative.

If patients would like laboratory genetic testing, an application for assumption of the costs may be submitted to the person’s health insurer before the start of analysis.

If a patient has consented to genetic testing, a sample (e.g. of their blood) is taken. This can be undertaken either by the referring GP/specialist or by medica staff trained therein. Depending on the situation, samples may also need to be taken from relatives.

Our molecular genetics lab offers Sanger sequencing, qPCR, MLPA, next-generation sequencing (NGS) and whole exome sequencing (WES) as required.

The laboratory analyses are conducted on our various analytical devices. The measured (qualitative and/or quantitative) values are subsequently assessed by our highly-qualified laboratory personnel in line with current technical criteria and quality guidelines. After this, our specialists review the results from a medical perspective and approve the lab findings for forwarding to the referring physician.

The processing of applications for cost assumption by the health insurer and the genetic testing itself can take a number of weeks.

After laboratory testing, patients are notified in person about the test results within the framework of another genetic consultation meeting, and any further action is discussed.