Thed history of the alliance goes back to the foundation of the Eurpean Alliance of Genetic Supportgroups (EAGS) in 19992. From the very beginning there was a strong collaboration with scientists. Each year EAGS organised its annual meeting in conjunction with the annual congresses of the European Society of Human Genetics (ESHG). In 2000 it was decided to rename and refocus the EAGS to: European Alliance for Genetic Services and the Innovation of Medicin. The focus was on genetics, genomics and biotechnology with a strong output in terms of projects and direct or indirect influence in the political, scientific and industrial arena.
For these reasons relationships, collaborations and partnerships were established with scientific societies and industrial associations while contacts with officials of the various EU/DGs were established and intensified.
For the same reasons the Alliance produces via a democratic procedure of opinion making statements and position papers.

The Alliance has a focus on genetics, genomics and medical biotechnology and their medical, ethical, legal, psycho social and cultural implications. The EGAN is working from the patient perspective.

The Alliance intends to work in addition to and together with the European Patient Forum, the European Organisation for Rare Disorders and other major umbrella organisations with interests in the field of research and health policy. The EGAN will explicitly focus on genetic and medical biotechnological issues.

The Alliance will reach its goals through active involvement in the legislative process in the field of genetics and medical biotechnology at a European level. The alliance will, in consultation with their allied organisations and members, voice its opinion through action letters and position papers directed at politicians and legislative bodies.

The Alliance will work together with science and industry to make sure the patient interest is best served.

The Alliance believes that the empowerment of individuals, families and patient groups should strongly be promoted in order to enable them to make timely and informed decisions about family planning and life style issues; decisions which fit in their own situation. This empowerment is important,e.g if they wish, to enable them to take a position on major policy issues such as the use of stemcells and gene therapy.

The Alliance is led and directed for the starting period up to the founding conference on June 13th in Munich (Germany) by:

During the annual general meetings policy, priorities and management are discussed and determined.

At the founding meeting democratic rules will be established to govern the Alliance from that point onwards. A flexible governmental structure (e.g. a board of directors) will take over the governance of the EGAN.

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