Home / Sources / Select Committees / Science, Innovation and Techn… / Commercial genomics
Index live
Select Committee · Science, Innovation and Technology Committee

Commercial genomics

Status: Closed Opened: 9 Apr 2020 Closed: 19 Nov 2021 17 recommendations 1 report

Genomic testing seeks to offer health benefits and can provide other useful services. However, some have raised concerns regarding the potential risks associated with genomic tests being made directly available to consumers, including on the tests’ reliability and accuracy, the support available to consumers for understanding and acting on results, and the impact of these … Show more

Clear

Reports

1 report
Title HC No. Published Items Response
First Report - Direct-to-consumer genomic testing HC 94 22 Jun 2021 17 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

3 items
1 Recommendation First Report - Direct-to-consumer genom… Accepted

A range of benefits and concerns have been raised regarding the availability of genomic testing...

A range of benefits and concerns have been raised regarding the availability of genomic testing for direct purchase and use by consumers. These apply to all types of genomic tests, but are arguably most acute for tests used for medically-related purposes. Despite concerns around direct-to-consumer tests existing for many years, … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government accepts the recommendation, stating the MHRA launched a public consultation on DTC genomic tests in September 2021 and plans to introduce new regulations in summer 2022.
Read full response →
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
2 Recommendation First Report - Direct-to-consumer genom… Accepted

Strong support for genomic testing from the current and previous Governments has helped to make...

Strong support for genomic testing from the current and previous Governments has helped to make the UK a world-leader in the sector. Although this support has focused on testing in the NHS, it has nonetheless supported the direct-to-consumer genomic testing industry. The Government should continue its support for genomic testing … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government states it will continue to support the UK’s genomic testing industry, citing ongoing initiatives like the Life Sciences Vision and Genome UK, which demonstrate its commitment to the sector.
Read full response →
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
11 Recommendation First Report - Direct-to-consumer genom… Accepted

Many submissions to this inquiry expressed concern that direct-to-consumer genomic testing could increase pressure on...

Many submissions to this inquiry expressed concern that direct-to-consumer genomic testing could increase pressure on the NHS due to consumers consulting their GP following a test result. Although there is not yet strong evidence of this happening, some companies providing tests directly to consumers recommend that their customers consult genetic … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government accepts the recommendation, confirming it is gathering evidence through an NHS Genomics Workforce Survey launched in August 2021 to assess the impact of DTC genomic testing on the NHS. It also agrees on the importance of guidance, referencing existing resources and committing to …
Read full response →
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

Oral evidence sessions

1 session
Date Witnesses
17 Jun 2020 Dr Tara Clancy · Nuffield Council on Bioethics, Graeme Tunbridge · Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, Professor Sir Mark Caufield · Genomics England, The Lord Bethell · Department for Health and Social Care View ↗

Who gave evidence

4 witnesses
WitnessOrganisationSessions
Dr Tara Clancy · Council Member Nuffield Council on Bioethics 1
Graeme Tunbridge · Director of Devices Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency 1
Professor Sir Mark Caufield · Chief Scientist Genomics England 1
The Lord Bethell · Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Department for Health and Social Care 1

Correspondence

4 letters
DateDirectionTitle
21 May 2020 — Correspondence from • Avi Lasarow, Chief Executive Officer, DNAfit, relating to…
21 May 2020 — Correspondence from • Baroness Blackwood, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of Stat…
21 May 2020 — Correspondence from • Carla Newell, Chief Legal Officer, Ancestry, relating to …
21 May 2020 — Correspondence from Kathy Hibbs, Chief Legal and Regulatory Officer, 23andMe, r…