The rapid development of fast, affordable whole genome sequencing (WGS) technologies is set to clinical and public health practice. The potential benefits within the next few years are significant: improved diagnosis and management of inherited diseases and cancer, and more personalised use of treatments and therapies.
However, the sheer quantity and complexity of the information generated by WGS, along with ever-changing understanding of the function of genes in health and disease, presents new challenges for health systems. To ensure that the opportunities for genomic medicine are promptly, effectively and responsibly harnessed, important questions must be addressed:
…takes you to the heart of all the issues
Sir John Bell
Next steps in the sequence: the implications of whole genome sequencing for health in the UK is the first comprehensive guide to the clinical impact of these transformational technologies, and makes specific recommendations for prompt and effective adoption within the UK National Health Service (NHS).
By Caroline Wright, Hilary Burton, Alison Hall, Sowmiya Moorthie, Anna Pokorska-Bocci, Gurdeep S Sagoo, Simon Sanderson and Rosalind Skinner
