Genome Screening: Newborn Infants
Debate between Lord Bishop of Chelmsford and Baroness Merron(2 weeks, 2 days ago)
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The Lord Bishop of Chelmsford
When will the House have the opportunity to debate this policy for whole-genome sequencing with all its details, given that it has such weighty and far-reaching implications for healthcare, prevention and a number of ethical issues, as we have already heard?
Baroness Merron (Lab)
A debate in this House will be a matter for my noble friend the Chief Whip. Members of your Lordships’ House may seek to encourage such a debate, which I would certainly welcome. I can say to the right reverend Prelate that the sequencing of 100,000 newborns through the Generation Study will be completed by summer 2027. The evaluation part of the study will then be completed and presented to the UK National Screening Committee, which will make a recommendation. Subject to all of this and appropriate funding, genomic testing could be available for all newborns by 2035— so there is a long window of opportunity for the right reverend Prelate.