The World Health Organization (news - web sites) said Wednesday it approved the first international standard for a human genetic test to help laboratories improve the accuracy and quality of their results. The standard — which will help identify testing errors — is for a commonly used procedure that identifies a genetic predisposition to thrombosis, or blood clots, a potentially life-threatening condition. Standards could also eventually be introduced for other genetic disorders, such as cystic fibrosis and muscular dystrophy.
