Ethics
18.06.2020
Recommendations on preimplantation genetic testing PGT
Read more CloseThe genetic testing of embryos created through in vitro fertilizsation has been regulated since 2017 by the Federal Act on Human Genetic Testing. Its implementation, however, confronts health professionals and cantonal authorities with a number of practical and ethical questions. The new recommendations of the SAMS deal with important ethical aspects of the PGT counselling and decision-making situation in order to contribute to consistent good clinical practice in Switzerland.
The recommendations deal, on the one hand, with the indication of PGT for couples with genetic diseases and, on the other hand, with the screening of embryos in the context of infertility treatment. In addition, they discuss how, for example, surplus information should be managed. The recommendations are available in German, French, Italian and English and can be ordered in printed form (German/French) free of charge.
Download the document (PDF)
Funding
15.06.2020
Young Talents in Clinical Research: Call 2020
Read more CloseWith the «Young Talents in Clinical Research» program, the Gottfried and Julia Bangerter-Rhyner Foundation and the SAMS aim at encouraging young medical doctors to venture into clinical research. CHF 1 million is made available for this call. Due to the COVID-19 situation, the submission deadline has been postponed to 30 November 2020.
The program is conceived in two consecutive steps: Young medical doctors can start out in clinical research thanks to a «beginner grant» which guarantees them protected time for research by covering a portion of their salary. Interested grantees can then apply for a «project grant» to consolidate the acquired research skills during the next two years. More information can be found on our website.
Flyer «Young Talents in Clinical Research» (PDF)
Projects
26.05.2020
Personalized health in dialogue
Read more CloseDevelopments in the field of personalized health and related issues such as data protection, handling of probabilities etc. affect the whole population. For this reason, the Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences conducted the dialogue project «Tailor-made people: personalized health». A recently published bilingual report summarizes the population's answers to an online questionnaire and from nine dialogue events.
As the questionnaire made no scientific claims, the answers were not evaluated according to scientific criteria. However, the publication «Personalized Health in Dialogue» reflects the diversity of views and may provide experts with food for thought for future research projects.
Download the publication (French/German) (PDF)
Academy
08.05.2020
Epidemiologist Marcel Tanner is President of the Swiss Academies
Read more CloseThe Assembly of Delegates has elected Marcel Tanner president of the Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences. The former director of the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute has already been President a. i. in the last months and is currently a member of the Federal Government’s Covid-19 Science Task Force.
As president of the Swiss Academy of Natural Sciences since 2016, Marcel Tanner is familiar with the concerns and needs of the scientific community that is united under the umbrella of the Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences. He sees the role and strength of its members in the dialogue between science, politics and society. Further information can be found in the press release of the Academies.
Download press release (PDF)
Academy
01.05.2020
Prof. Henri Bounameaux is President of the SAMS
Read more CloseToday, 1 May 2020, Henri Bounameaux takes over the SAMS presidency from Daniel Scheidegger. He was unanimously elected to this position by the Senate in November 2019 and, as the previous Vice-President, is well prepared.
In Bulletin 1/2020 (p. 4) we introduced the new SAMS president in a short interview. In the next few weeks there will be further opportunities to read about Henri Bounameaux, while personal encounters will have to wait a little longer depending on the situation. Daniel Scheidegger will remain an asset for the SAMS as Vice-President. The current composition of the SAMS Executive Board can be found on our website.
Download Bulletin 1/2020, French version (PDF)
Publications
30.04.2020
The annual report 2019 is published online
Read more CloseThe Annual Report 2019 is now available online. We use the advantages of the internet to link this review with further information and ongoing activities.
Those who prefer to leaf through rather than click have the option of downloading a printable PDF. We hope, you will enjoy discovering or rediscovering the many highlights of 2019. Our report is available in German or French.
Visit the website
Academy
16.04.2020
Covid-19 pandemic: interim report on patient triage
Read more CloseSo far, the bottlenecks in Swiss hospitals feared because of Covid-19 have been avoided. The triage guidelines published by the SAMS and the Swiss Society for Intensive Care Medicine (SGI) are currently not being applied. Since their publication, however, they have been widely discussed and have led to numerous responses. How does the SAMS deal with this feedback?
Given the current situation, the SAMS and SGI have concluded that there is no immediate need to update the document. Rather, the feedback received should be carefully reviewed as part of an overall evaluation of the Covid-19 pandemic, in order to decide to what extent the guidelines should be adapted, or even whether they should remain in force. The guidelines and other relevant documents can be found on our website.
Further information
Academy
25.03.2020
Coronavirus: recommendations for Palliative Care
Read more CloseThe coronavirus infection threatens the entire population but the most at risk for serious and fatal courses are elderly people, who are often multimorbid and frail. Severe diseases with an unfavourable prognosis and mortality situations require good palliative care for the people concerned.
The current pandemic situation and the publication of the SAMS and SGI guidelines have encouraged the Association for Geriatric Palliative Medicine (FGPG) to develop additional practice-oriented recommendations. The SAMS welcomes this step and also makes the document (d/f/i/e) available on its website.
Download the recommendations for palliative care (PDF)