Warning over delay to DNA health research
GROUNDBREAKING RESEARCH which could revolutionise healthcare is being held back by delays in developing digital NHS infrastructure, a report by MPs has warned.
Genomic medicine, which maps individuals’ DNA and elements related to disease, has the capacity to improve care and diagnosis, the Science and Technology Committee has reported.
But, it adds, research is held back by reduced training budgets, as well as concerns over a lack of public awareness about the benefits of such breakthroughs.
“Genomics has the potential to transform medical care across the world and in the NHS as well as dramatically improve patient outcomes in the UK and globally,” the report said, with the ongoing 100,000 Genomes Project establishing the UK as a world leader in the field.
“The UK is uniquely positioned to benefit from greater understanding of genomics because of the unique strength of our National Health Service and thus the ability to maximise the collective benefits of very large quantities of reliable and detailed patient data. Nevertheless, much more needs to be done to achieve the full potential that genomics promises.”
The report also expressed concern that although the Government had committed to funding the digital infrastructure required, the budgets were yet to be confirmed.
And, as the nature of genomic medicine means data sharing will be essential, it adds that the public would need to be assured that data privacy rules would be respected.
Committee chairman Norman Lamb said: “The UK is a world leader in genomics, and the establishment of a Genomics Medicine Service could dramatically improve health outcomes of UK citizens. Genomics has the potential to revolutionise NHS healthcare, but we are concerned that this potential is threatened by delays in the NHS’s digital projects, reduced genomics training budgets and potential public concerns over sharing personal health data.”