Where relevant, patients will be asked to give consent
for their genome data to be securely analysed by
approved researchers, who will develop new tests and
treatments for cancer and rare diseases.
From 2019, all seriously ill children will be offered
whole genome sequencing as part of their care.
Adults with certain rare diseases or hard-to-treat
cancers will also be offered the same option from 2019.
The NHS Genomic Medicine Service will expand on
existing projects such as the 100,000 Genomes
Project and see 1 million whole genomes being
sequenced by the NHS and medical research project UK
Biobank in 5 years.
This will help support ’s wider ambition to
sequence 5 million genomes in the UK by bringing
together expertise from world-leading industry experts
such as UK Research and Innovation, the NHS and other
partners.
At present, it can take years to diagnose a rare
disease, but genomics has the potential to speed this
up and reduce the number of invasive tests that
patients currently have to undergo.
The more genetic information there is, the earlier
clinicians can predict, diagnose and treat the illness
in a way that works best for each patient.
Health and Social Care Secretary said:
I’m proud to announce we are expanding our 100,000
Genomes Project so that one million whole genomes
will now be sequenced by the NHS and the UK Biobank.
I’m incredibly excited about the potential for this
type of technology to improve the diagnosis and
treatment for patients to help people live longer,
healthier lives – a vital part of our long-term plan
for the NHS.
Today’s commitments form part of our bold aspiration
to sequence 5 million genomes in the UK, using
ground-breaking technology to do this within an
unprecedented 5-year period.
