Personalised Medicine Moves Forward with Start of DNA Mapping

A major drive by the Government to introduce high-tech DNA mapping for individuals alongside plans to personalise NHS services for every patient, was pushed further with the launch of Genomics England by Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt on July 5^th, the 65^th anniversary of the NHS.

The initiative to sequence the personal DNA code (genome) of up to 100,000 patients or infections in patients over the next five years was first announced by Prime Minister David Cameron in December 2012. The Department of Health (DH) has initially prioritised sequencing of lung and paediatric cancer, rare diseases and infectious diseases.

Genomics England owned by the DH will run the project, managing contracts for specialist UK-based companies, universities and hospitals to supply services on sequencing, data linkage and analysis. It will set standards for obtaining patient’s consent and also manage the storage of personal data in accordance with existing NHS rules designed to protect patient information.

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said: “The UK aims to become the first country to introduce this technology in its mainstream health system – leading the global race for better tests, better drugs and above all better, more personalised care to save lives. The NHS has a long track record as a leader in medical science advances and it must continue to push the boundaries by unlocking the power of DNA data. Genomics England will provide the investment and leadership needed to dramatically increase the use of this technology and drive costs down.”

Genomics England will be funded by DH in the medium term and chaired by former chair of the Medical Research Council, Sir John Chisholm.

Up to £100 million of funding pledged by the government will help train British genetic scientists to develop life-saving new drugs, treatments and scientific breakthroughs; train the wider healthcare community to use the technology; fund the DNA sequencing technology and build the secure NHS data linkage.