Report of the committe for a study for evaluation of testing for cystic fibrosis.

The Committee for a Study for Evaluation of Testing for Cystic Fibrosis 
was established in August 1974 to assess the reliability of the 
data on cystic fibrosis "factors" in serum and exocrine secretions and 
in cell culture; evaluate the role of the cystic fibrosis "factors" 
in the detection of the heterozygote and in the diagnosis of 
cystic fibrosis in the homozygote in utero, during the neonatal period, 
and thereafter; evaluate the various screening tests for the diagnosis of 
cystic fibrosis in the newborn infant that have been proposed in 
this country and abroad, about which there is considerable controversy; and 
evaluate the sweat test, which as currently performed leads to diagnostic 
errors, both positive and negative. Section 1 of this report presents 
what is known about the clinical aspects of cystic fibrosis; Section 
2 summarizes the diverse facets of research in cystic fibrosis, including 
the sources of its support; and Section 3 is a critical 
analysis of the state of the art for testing for cystic 
fibrosis. Section 4 comprises the Committee's recommendations, which it is hoped 
will be of use to both clinicians and researchers in the 
various settings where cystic fibrosis is diagnosed, treated, and studied. 