A new wide-ranging report Genomics Beyond Health published [January 26] by the Government Office for Science investigates how genomics could play a part in our lives in the future, from sport to education and tackling crime.
Until now genomics has mostly been used within healthcare and medical research where it can help provide more precise diagnosis, target better treatments, and help predict the risks of developing certain disease. The UK’s use of genomics in healthcare is world-leading and viral genomics has been critical for monitoring COVID-19 and detecting emerging variants.
This report examines how the genome can provide insights into people’s traits and behaviors beyond health and how studying our DNA code presents both benefits and challenges to society.
Professor Ewan Birney, EMBL Deputy Director General and Director of EMBL’s European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI) said:
“Genomics has the potential to transform the world we live in, and help us tackle some of the greatest challenges facing our species and planet. This report is a timely reminder that policy makers and the public need the right information at the right time, to understand and exploit the insights these new technologies provide.”
