Overview

• Health Secretary Wes Streeting announced a goal for whole genome sequencing to be available for every baby in England by 2035 to enable early disease prediction.
• The Government will allocate £650 million to expand genomics infrastructure as part of its life sciences sector plan.
• The upcoming 10-year NHS strategy will redirect care from hospitals to community teams and virtual hospitals, leveraging digital platforms.
• The NHS has already screened 100,000 newborns for over 200 genetic conditions in a pilot scheme, storing DNA in the National Genomic Research Library under strict access controls.
• Ethical and privacy advocates warn that lifelong genetic records may expose children to unwanted risk information and data security threats.