International standardization of gene amplification technology.

The WHO international Working Group on the standardization of Gene Amplification Techniques for the Virological Safety Testing of Blood and Blood Products (SoGAT) was established in 1995 as a technical discussion group. It is the only international forum for the exchange of information on scientific aspects of the technology, evaluation of the technology for the testing of products and the organisation of international collaborative studies for the development, evaluation and provision of reference materials and working standards. Materials suitable as working reagents in hepatitis C virus (HCV) gene amplification are in widespread use and plans for a collaborative study for the establishment on an HCV RNA International Standard are well underway as are studies aimed at standardizing the technology for other viruses. Copyright 1998 The International Association of Biological Standardization