"We want to test all newborns, or even take their DNA before they are born," says Lili Milani, researcher and director of the project, where the entire population of Estonia is currently being mapped in the form of DNA tests collected in a large freezers.

The purpose is to find genetic information about those who have an increased genetic risk of, for example, cancer and cardiovascular disease, before the disease even breaks out.

- We know which genes play into specific diseases. Now we hope to be able to meet the risks for each individual patient with preventative measures, says Lili Milani.

Nearly twenty percent mapped

So far, more than 210,000 esters have been napping to give six milliliters of blood and an informed consent to have their genes mapped. That's sixteen percent of the small country's population.

With the help of the DNA test, you can map 700,000 gene variants that are linked to specific diseases. The test also provides information on how the body breaks down various drugs, which is useful when the doctor is to prescribe medication.

In the basement of the Gendata Center, the more than 200,000 genetic tests that have been done so far are stored. Partly in nitrogen-filled steel containers but also in a large data center.

All citizens' DNA should be stored in the freezer and computers

- The goal is for all Estonian citizens' DNA samples to be stored here.

Estonia has introduced a data security law to protect the sensitive information. According to the law, the results may only be used by the university and in connection with research on specific health.

Eva Loolaid, 34, is one of those who wanted to do the DNA test. Her mother died in the breast cancer suites and she wanted to find out if she was carrying any of the genes that increase the risk of developing the disease.

It turned out that she carries the BRC2 gene, a hereditary genetic mutation that increases her risk of getting breast cancer by 80% compared to other women.

- At first I was shocked. Now I think it's good to know, ”Eva Loolaid says.

In the future, you can dna test fetuses

The vision for Lili Milani, director of the Estonian Gendata Center, is that at a very early stage in life, one can find out their risks and that knowledge of the risk genes of the Estonians can lead to tailor-made medicines.

- We could test children or even fetuses to meet and prevent hereditary diseases as early as possible. That is my vision.

More about the increasingly used DNA tests in the world of science: The DNA revolution in SVT2 17/2 at 20:00 and in SVT Play from 16/2. It describes how DNA testing is used both to test health, to get the right to marry and to solve criminal cases.