The Newborn Genomes Programme's Generation Study is an NHS-embedded programme seeking to sequence the genomes of 100,000 newborns, to identify actionable rare genetic conditions that affect babies (see BioNews 1172).
Dr Rachel Horton from the Centre for Human Genetics at the University of Oxford, and colleagues, discuss the incorporation of whole genome sequencing into population newborn screening as a standard health care service.
Writing an analysis in the BMJ, they question that if the UK Generation Study will analyse only a tiny proportion of the genome (<0.01 percent), why is it collecting entire genomes?
They argue that predicting future health from the genetic code is difficult and that the study may affect NHS waiting times and care for people living with symptomatic rare conditions.