Genomics England launched to boost life sciences

Health secretary Jeremy Hunt is launching Genomics England today, a new body to read 100,000 patients’ individual genetic codes by 2017.

The state-owned body will be led by Sir John Chisholm, former chair of the medical research council. It will work with private companies interested in investing in a new life sciences industry and to detect mutations in viruses or bacteria that are inducing drug resistance.

Genomics England will have an ethics committee to protect patient confidentiality and data privacy. Patients consent will be obtained before their genomes are read.

Hunt will say: “Genome sequencing is already helping identify the best treatments for some cancers but there is huge potential in other areas. The establishment of Genomics England will provide the investment and leadership necessary to sequence genomes at scale and pace, driving down costs as it drives up the investment in a totally new sphere of science.”

Sir John will add: “There are venture funds already gearing up to invest in finding insights from DNA data that will also generate shareholder value. We hope to be working with them.”

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