Human genetics is a fast moving area of science with significant new developments emerging every year. The more we understand about the human genome, the greater the impact will be on our lives and on our healthcare
The Government White Paper 'Our Inheritance, Our Future - Realising the potential of genetics in the NHS' published on 24 June 2003 explains how new genetic knowledge and technology will become relevant to all areas of healthcare. It set out government plans to help prepare the NHS e.g. through education and training, development projects to take genetics into new areas, laboratory expansion, information and targeted research programmes.
Many developments in human genetics also raise social and ethical issues and the Human Genetics Commission (HGC) provides independent advice on these aspects of developments in particular.
