VSOP, the Dutch Genetic Alliance, founded April 12 1979, is an umbrella organisation of about 55 national, disease-linked, parent and patient organisations. Most of them are concerned with genetic and/or congenital disorders.
VSOP's mission is to optimise the implications of research in the field of genetics, medical biotechnology and life sciences for both patients and the public well-being and health. The integrated participation in society of people with a hereditary disorder or a genetic predisposition is central in this mission. In addition to this, the VSOP strives to increase awareness of developments in the area of genetics and the involvement of the public and society at large, and more specifically of those people directly concerned with these disorders. In the (near) future, more and more people will be confronted with genetic issues. The VSOP aims to arrange that all citizens will be informed about the possibilities and consequences of these developments so that well-informed, well-thought-out dialogue and decision-making can take place.