The Government has unveiled a comprehensive plan to integrate advances in genetics within the NHS, including the increase of genetic testing.

The Department of Health's White Paper, 'Our Inheritance, Our Future Realising the potential of genetics in the NHS' sets out a £50 million programme of investment to increase genetics knowledge, skills and provision within the health service.

The main aims of the Government are:

• preparing the NHS to be a world-leader in genetics-based healthcare
• increasing the capacity of laboratory and clinical genetics services
• incorporating genetic advances into everyday clinical practice
• training healthcare professionals to be effective in dealing with new advances in genetics-based technologies and treatments
• translating genetics R&D into improved health and healthcare
• promoting public understanding of genetics, a robust regulatory framework and transparency in public policy making.

"Our vision is for the NHS to lead the world in taking maximum advantage of the safe, effective and ethical application of the new genetics knowledge and technologies for all patients as they become available," said Health Secretary Dr John Reid.

"At the same time this Government will make sure there are safeguards and controls in place to guard against inappropriate use of developments in genetics."

A large slice of the investment £18 million will be used to upgrade existing genetics labs to prepare for an increase in genetic testing, while more than £7 million will be ploughed into new initiatives to integrate genetics-based healthcare into mainstream NHS services.

Over £9 million will be spent on gene therapy, including specific research into cystic fibrosis, and a new department and chair of pharmacogenetics will be established with £4 million for pharmacogenetic research into commonly used drugs.

An NHS Genetics Education and Development Centre will also be set up to educate and train healthcare staff.

One of the proposals likely to prove to be one of the most controversial is the possibility of screening all babies at birth to obtain their genetic profile.

This information could then be used later as a basis for tailoring treatment. The Government has asked the Human Genetics Commission and the National Screening Committee to investigate the case, with a report due by the end of next year.

Dr Reid acknowledged that there were many serious concerns about the possible misuse of genetic information, and said the Government would review the evidence regarding discrimination based on genetic characteristics and planned to introduce legislation banning DNA testing without the donor consent.

There is currently a moratorium on the use of genetic tests by insurance companies, with the exception of Huntington's chorea, but this is due to expire in 2006. The Association of British Insurers said it was unclear what effect screening babies would have on premiums, but said the moratorium would "ensure we get policy right for the future."

Many of the ethical and social issues surrounding genetic testing have been raised by the Human Genetics Commission in its nside Informationreport on personal genetic information, published last year.

The Government has already shown its commitment to genetics though a £15 million investment in six genetics knowledge parks, and the co-sponsoring of the UK BioBank project. This project, due to begin later this year, sets out to examine the relationship between genes, disease and lifestyle factors.

pharmafocus@pharmafile.co.uk