Every baby in the UK to have DNA mapped in NHS’s biggest newborn screening shake-up yet
New 10-year NHS plan to offer whole-genome sequencing to all babies born in England
The NHS is set to introduce a major new policy that will see every newborn in England have their entire DNA mapped within the next decade, in a bid to predict and prevent serious illnesses before symptoms appear.
The Health Secretary Wes Streeting confirmed the plans, part of a sweeping 10-year health strategy to be published in early July, that will prioritise prevention over treatment and personalise care from the moment a baby is born.
Currently, babies are given a heel-prick blood test to check for nine rare but serious conditions like cystic fibrosis. But under the new scheme, whole genome sequencing will be done using umbilical cord blood samples taken shortly after birth, allowing health professionals to assess each baby’s risk of hundreds of genetic diseases.
What is genome sequencing, and what will it mean for new parents?
Put simply, whole genome sequencing reads all of a baby’s DNA to identify variations linked to certain conditions. The NHS says this could spot early signs of more than 200 rare disorders, including muscular dystrophy and some types of kidney or liver disease, many of which currently go undiagnosed for years.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting explained: “With the power of this new technology, patients will be able to receive personalised healthcare to prevent ill health before symptoms begin, reducing the pressure on NHS services and helping people live longer, healthier lives.”
Streeting also said the plan will “leapfrog disease” so the NHS can be proactive rather than reactive — a shift that could dramatically change the way healthcare is delivered to families across the UK.
Will genome sequencing replace the heel-prick test?
Yes – eventually. While the familiar five-day-old heel-prick test is currently used to detect nine rare but treatable conditions, the new whole genome testing could screen for hundreds.
Dr Rich Scott, chief executive of Genomics England, said early DNA testing could be life-changing: “Children with these conditions often go years without receiving a diagnosis. Cutting this time would mean earlier access to what can be life-changing treatment.”
The new tests will be conducted through blood taken from the baby’s umbilical cord shortly after birth, rather than the heel-prick.
What’s behind the new approach?
The £650 million plan will fund large-scale genome research and aims to build one of the world’s biggest genetic databases. It follows a pilot study launched last year by Genomics England and NHS England, analysing the genetic code of 100,000 babies to detect rare diseases early.
This expanded programme is expected to not only help individual families but also provide critical data that could accelerate the development of new treatments and deepen medical understanding of how diseases work.
As the plan rolls out, there’s also a strong focus on integrating AI and digital technology to help predict illnesses before they become serious and ensure better, faster care from local “neighbourhood health teams”.
What concerns have been raised?
While the medical possibilities are impressive, experts have cautioned that this kind of rollout must come with proper support for families.
Geneticist Prof Robin Lovell-Badge from the Francis Crick Institute warned on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that having access to DNA data is only one piece of the puzzle: “You need people to have conversations with individuals who might be affected by genetic disease.” He added that he was concerned about the current shortage of trained genetic counsellors, who play a key role in helping parents understand what the findings mean.
Privacy advocates have also flagged questions around how genetic data will be stored and used, although the government has not yet released full details on these points.
What this means for you and your baby
If you’re expecting a baby in the coming years, this could mean more tailored healthcare right from birth. Early DNA insights could help your GP or paediatrician spot issues before they start, personalise treatment, and — in some cases — help your child avoid a lifetime of undiagnosed illness.
The NHS’s plan marks a significant shift towards predictive, personalised care — and while it’s not without its challenges, the potential benefits for families are enormous.
More information is expected when the full health strategy is unveiled in early July. In the meantime, parents-to-be can expect this technology to gradually be phased into hospitals over the next few years, with the goal of making it universal by 2035.
Read more:
Authors
Ruairidh is the Digital Lead on MadeForMums. He works with a team of fantastically talented content creators and subject-matter experts on MadeForMums.