All babies in England to get DNA test to assess risk of diseases within 10 years
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This groundbreaking initiative represents the future of healthcare — using cutting-edge genomics to stay ahead of disease rather than chasing after it. The £650 million investment will revolutionize prevention and give families the power to protect their children from genetic conditions before symptoms even appear.
While the technology sounds promising, experts warn about the shortage of qualified genetic counselors needed to interpret complex DNA data for families. The program raises concerns about having sufficient professionals to properly communicate genetic risks and provide appropriate support to affected individuals.
Organizing genetic tests for every newborn raises profound privacy concerns — turning sensitive DNA data into a lifelong digital footprint before consent is even possible. Once collected, this information becomes vulnerable to misuse by governments, insurers, or corporations under the guise of “public good.” In the name of health, the U.K. may be building the most intimate surveillance infrastructure yet.