Public supports wider use of genomics in healthcare – with safeguards

Participants in a national engagement programme have expressed support for using genomics to help prevent illness and personalise healthcare, while emphasising that its wider use must be underpinned by trust, fairness and transparency.

Genomics England's 'Genomics, Healthcare and You' programme explored how genomic information could be used in routine healthcare in the future. Launched in October 2025, the programme engaged more than 300 people between October 2025 and June 2026 through three strands of engagement: a public dialogue involving a representative sample of members of the public from across England, engagement with communities often underrepresented in genomics research, and workshops and a survey involving healthcare professionals. The programme was designed to understand their expectations and concerns and inform decisions about the future use of genomic healthcare.

'The findings show that people recognise the potential for genomics to transform healthcare, particularly in supporting earlier intervention and prevention. But they also remind us that trust must be earned,' said Professor Richard Scott, chief executive officer of Genomics England.

Participants were optimistic about the potential of genomics to support prevention, earlier intervention and more personalised healthcare. However, support was not unconditional. Across the programme, people consistently emphasised that any future use of genomic information must be evidence-based, equitable, transparent and delivered through a healthcare system that is equipped to use it safely and effectively.

Among the potential applications discussed, pharmacogenomics attracted particularly strong support. Participants saw value in using genetic information to identify which medicines might work best for an individual and reduce the risk of adverse reactions. The healthcare professional survey found that 76 percent of respondents identified personalised care as the top positive outcome of genomic healthcare, while 63 percent identified more accurate prescribing. Experience of ineffective treatments, trial-and-error prescribing and medication side effects helped make these potential benefits tangible.

Trust was a central theme throughout the programme. Participants wanted clear safeguards governing access to genomic data, transparent decision-making and reassurance that information would be used responsibly. They also emphasised that the benefits should be shared fairly across society, with accessible communication and efforts to address health inequalities built into future programmes. Healthcare professionals similarly highlighted the need for adequate staffing, infrastructure and training before genomic healthcare could be implemented more widely.

'We are working to ensure the development of genomics is built on trust, transparency and strong safeguards, while making sure the benefits are shared fairly across communities and the NHS is ready to deliver them,' said James Frith, minister for health innovation. 'We will continue listening to patients and healthcare professionals as this work develops, using their views alongside the scientific and clinical evidence to help shape the future of genomic healthcare.'

The findings will inform the design of a Genomics England-led adult population genomics research study, expected to involve up to 150,000 adults. The programme's insights will be considered alongside scientific, clinical, operational, and ethical evidence as plans develop. Genomics England has also committed to continuing engagement with patients, communities and healthcare professionals, and publishing updates on how their views are shaping the research.