Newborns in Switzerland are currently only tested for diseases for which it is known that the first weeks of life are essential for successful treatment. Diseases that cannot be treated or can only be treated inadequately in this phase are not tested.

Currently, there is again a discussion about expanding the diseases tested in newborn screening. This raises a number of questions: How broad is the expansion? What will it cost? Is there a right not to know? Which diseases will be treatable in the future?

This panel discussion will examine these and other questions from the perspectives of medicine, genetics, philosophy and theology as well as law. This interdisciplinary exchange aims to explore the meaning of our genetic heritage together with the audience.

Panelists:

• Matthias Baumgartner, Head of Research and Newborn Screening University Children’s Hospital Zurich
• Anita Rauch, Genetic Counselling and Medical Genetics, University of Zurich
• Tanja Krones, Head of Clinical Ethics, University Hospital Zurich
• Michael Braunschweig, Ethics, Postdoc University Research Priority Program (URPP) Human Reproduction Reloaded | H2R (URPP H2R), University of Zurich
• Jasmin Häcker-Winkenbach, Medical Law, PhD candidate URPP H2R, University of Zurich