DNA Testing Introduced for All UK Newborns
Under a sweeping new initiative revealed by Health Secretary Wes Streeting, every newborn in the UK will have their whole genome sequenced as part of a 10-year plan to transform the NHS from a reactive system into a preventative, predictive health service.
The plan, which will be detailed in the upcoming Life Sciences Sector Plan in early July, represents a major shift in public health. By using whole-genome sequencing, the NHS will be able to screen for hundreds of genetic conditions, going far beyond the current newborn heel-prick test that detects just nine.
Instead of a simple blood spot test, DNA will be collected via blood from the umbilical cord shortly after birth. The aim: detect genetic risks early, offer personalised care, and “leapfrog disease”, according to Mr Streeting.
Backed by £650 million in genomics research, the move is part of a wider government push to integrate AI and genomic data into healthcare, aiming to predict illnesses before they develop, enabling earlier, more cost-effective intervention.
