Every Baby in the UK to Receive DNA Testing

Under an ambitious new 10-year NHS initiative, every baby born in the UK will undergo DNA testing through whole-genome sequencing.

This revolutionary approach aims to screen newborns for hundreds of diseases early on, enabling healthcare to “leapfrog” deadly illnesses before they develop, according to Health Secretary Wes Streeting.

Speaking with the Telegraph, Streeting outlined a bold vision to shift the NHS from reacting to illness to preventing it altogether. Central to this plan is personalized medicine powered by genomic data, supported by a government investment of £650 million in genomics research.

“The medical breakthroughs we’re seeing mean the NHS can evolve from simply treating disease to predicting and preventing it,” said Streeting. “Genomics offers us the chance to get ahead of illness rather than catch up.”

Currently, newborns receive a blood spot test a few days after birth to check for nine rare diseases. The new genome sequencing will typically use blood drawn from the umbilical cord shortly after birth, greatly expanding the range of conditions that can be detected early.

Streeting has long advocated for a more preventative NHS to reduce the burden of serious diseases and save costs. Artificial intelligence will also play a key role, helping predict health issues so interventions can start sooner.

“With these technologies, we can offer tailored healthcare that prevents sickness before symptoms appear, easing pressure on NHS services and helping people live healthier, longer lives,” Streeting added.

The government’s 10-year NHS plan will also emphasize shifting care from hospitals to local communities and modernizing services through digital transformation. This initiative comes alongside a recent commitment of an additional £29 billion in annual NHS funding to help reduce waiting times and improve care.