Response to the Science and Technology Committee’s inquiry into commercial genomics

In April 2019, the Academy submitted a written response to the Science and Technology Committee’s inquiry into commercial genomics.

In our response we set out:

• The UK has unique strengths in health data and data sharing which could be supported through the development of data analytics capabilities and investment in genomic healthcare initiatives, and their infrastructure.
• Specifically trained genetics nurses and counsellors should be available to support those receiving, or considering asking for, genomic tests. This should be alongside the development of decision-support tools, and a raised awareness of the benefits and limitations of genomic information across all healthcare professionals.
• There are potential benefits to patients from commercial testing, provided that they are supplied with adequate support to be able to act on the information appropriately, and could be particularly transformative for early diagnosis.
• It is important that genomic data, regardless of its origin, can be linked with other data types that are also valuable for research and healthcare; the sharing and linkage of genomic data arising from both commercialised and non-commercialised sources should be considered.