Genetics and genomics - The Nuffield Council on Bioethics

Current Project

Current joint project with the Ada Lovelace Institute

AI and genomics futures

This joint project explores how AI is transforming the capabilities and practice of genomic science, and what such a transformation could mean for people and society.

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News

The application of AI to genomics raises ‘urgent’ ethical questions, early findings suggest

31 Aug 2023

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News

Towards a best practice UK model for ethical standards in genomics healthcare and research

27 Jul 2023

Report

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27 Jul 23

Genomics healthcare and research

A project aimed at developing a UK model for applying ethical standards to genomics initiatives.

News

Invitation to tender: Deliberative mini-public on AI and 'genomic health prediction'

08 Mar 2023

Blog

Whole Genome Sequencing in newborns: benefits and risks

by Frances Flinter

16 Feb 2023

3

News

Call for case studies on genomics and ethics

We need you! The Nuffield Council on Bioethics is looking for case studies that illustrate how people in the UK are tackling the ethical issues raised by genomics healthcare and research initiatives.

08 Jul 2022

News

Second Reading of the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Bill

The Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Bill will amend regulatory requirements for the development and marketing of precision bred plants and animals in England, paving the way for the introduction of genome editing into our food and farming system.

15 Jun 2022

Press Release

Nuffield Council on Bioethics response the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Bill

The Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Bill will be introduced to Parliament today.

25 May 2022

Press Release

New public dialogue to explore views on genome editing in farmed animals

10 May 2022

News

Call for people with expertise in genomics and AI

04 Feb 2022

Report

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01 Dec 21

Genome editing and farmed animal breeding: social and ethical issues

This report examines the social and ethical issues raised by the potential use of genome editing technologies in farmed animal breeding.

Public dialogue

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10 Sep 21

Rapid online dialogue on genome editing and farmed animals

We commissioned a rapid online dialogue to explore how non-specialist members of the public viewed these emerging technologies – what they felt were the wider social and ethical issues raised and what considerations should guide the implementation and governance of these new technologies.

News

New joint project with the Ada Lovelace Institute on AI and genomics futures

The Nuffield Council on Bioethics and the Ada Lovelace Institute will be working together on a new project on AI and genomics futures.

29 Jul 2021

News

Nuffield Council welcomes new international guidance on governance of human genome editing

The World Health Organization (WHO) has today published the findings of its Expert Advisory Committee on Developing Global Standards for Governance and Oversight of Human Genome Editing.

12 Jul 2021

News

Nuffield Council on Bioethics welcomes Select Committee report on direct-to-consumer genomic testing

22 Jun 2021

News

Chair of Nuffield Council appointed to the National Genomics Board

We are delighted to announce that Professor David Archard, Chair of the Nuffield Council on Bioethics, has been appointed to the National Genomics Board.

10 Jun 2021

Blog

The regulation of genetic technologies: time for dialogue

by Peter Mills

There are two kinds of question that people ask about developments in life sciences and biotechnology.

04 Feb 2021

6

News

Nuffield Council responds to Science and Technology Committee's call for evidence on commercial genomics

09 May 2019

News

‘Commercial genomics’ chosen for a new inquiry by the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee following Nuffield Council proposal

Today the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee published their 'My Science Inquiry'...

27 Feb 2019

News

Nuffield Council on Bioethics to pitch ‘commercial genomics’ inquiry to MPs

The Nuffield Council on Bioethics has been invited to pitch an inquiry on commercial genomics to the...

21 Jan 2019

Report

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17 Jul 18

Genome editing and human reproduction: social and ethical issues

In July 2018, we published a report into the social and ethical issues raised by the use of genome editing as a technology that could influence inherited characteristics in humans.

News

House of Commons Science and Technology Committee publishes report: Genomics and Genome Editing in the NHS

Today, the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee published its report, Genomics and Geno...

21 Apr 2018

Policy Briefing

Read policy briefing

27 Mar 18

Whole genome sequencing of babies

This briefing note explores the ethical issues raised by whole genome sequencing of babies.

Blog

Assessing the security implications of genome editing technology

by Peter Mills

One place that social epistemologists tracking contemporary manifestations of the 'two cultures'...

19 Oct 2017

1

Blog

Genome editing, human rights and the ‘posthuman’

by Peter Mills

Last month I spoke at the Federation of European Biochemical Societies (FEBS) annual conference in J...

03 Oct 2017

3

Blog

A new social contract for Generation Genome?

by Jonathan Montgomery

The Chief Medical Officer, Dame Sally Davies, has published today her latest Annual Report, Generati...

04 Jul 2017

0

Blog

CRISPR in North America: the National Academies’ report

by Peter Mills

A fortnight ago the US National Academies of Sciences and of Medicine published their long anticipat...

07 Mar 2017

0

Report

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01 Mar 17

Non-invasive prenatal testing: ethical issues

This report considers how NIPT could change the way we view pregnancy, disability and difference, and what the wider consequences of its increasing use might be.

News

Council responds to NAS-NAM report on human genome editing

The US National Academies of Sciences (NAS) and National Academy of Medicine (NAM) have today releas...

15 Feb 2017

Blog

CRISPR in South America: a case for 'liberation genomics'?

by Peter Mills

We should all know about CRISPR-Cas9 (CC9) by now. We should know, at least, that it is a biological...

10 Nov 2016

3

News

Joint statement: Ethics councils to give urgent attention to genome editing

Members of the ethics advisory councils of Germany, France and the UK, met on 21 October in Berlin t...

24 Oct 2016

Report

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30 Sep 16

Genome editing: an ethical review

This review considers the impact of recent advances in genome editing, which have diffused rapidly across many fields of biological research, and the range of ethical questions to which they give rise.

Press Release

Ethics review identifies top two challenges for genome editing

Preventing the transmission of inherited genetic diseases, and increasing food production rates in f...

30 Sep 2016

Blog

Public dialogue on genome editing: Why? When? Who?

by Roland Jackson

In a very short space of time, new techniques (such as the CRISPR-Cas9 system) have revolutionised p...

23 May 2016

1

News

Why? When? Who? Report of workshop on genome editing and public dialogue now published

The Nuffield Council on Bioethics and Sciencewise co-hosted a workshop to discuss the possibilities ...

23 May 2016

News

HFEA approves licence application to use gene editing in research

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) Licence Committee has approved an applicatio...

01 Feb 2016

Blog

Human gene editing: Keep calm and carry on conversing

by Andy Greenfield

The Human Gene Editing Summit in Washington DC was much anticipated and generated many commentaries,...

17 Dec 2015

0

Blog

Gene gibbering

by Peter Mills

On 1 December the statesmen and -women of molecular biology will meet in Washington, DC, for a three...

27 Nov 2015

1

News

Council calls for evidence on genome editing

The Council has published a call for evidence on genome editing - a recently developed set of techni...

27 Nov 2015

Blog

Hinxton, Greater Manchester: sealing a transatlantic entente

by Peter Mills

“It's peace and quiet that we need to go back to work again.” – Bob Dylan, Joey In recent ...

15 Sep 2015

0

News

First meeting of the genome editing Working Group

The first meeting of the Council's new Working Group on genome editing, chaired by Dr Andy Greenfi...

15 Sep 2015

Blog

Of big beasts and straw men

by Peter Mills

I wrote recently on this blog about the disappointingly peremptory resolution by the US National Ins...

02 Sep 2015

0

News

Genome editing working group announced

The Council has established a new working group to explore the ethical issues raised by novel genome...

13 Jul 2015

Blog

NIH throws out the bathwater, baby and all.

by Peter Mills

Yesterday, the US National Institutes of Health announced that they would “not fund any use of gen...

01 May 2015

0

News

Council hosts scoping workshop on genome editing

On 22 April, the Council held a workshop on genome editing to identify the main issues raised by adv...

28 Apr 2015

News

New Council project on genome editing

This year, the Council is starting a new project exploring the ethical issues around genome editing ...

10 Apr 2015

Blog

The moral implications of genome editing in 300 words?

by Peter Mills

This year, the Council is starting a new project exploring ethical issues around genome editing. In ...

30 Mar 2015

7

Blog

After the vote was over, after the count was done….

by Guest

My hope that the benighted term “three parent baby” might disappear from the public discourse wa...

05 Feb 2015

0

Report

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03 Feb 15

The collection, linking and use of data in biomedical research and health care: ethical issues

This report looks at the ethical issues raised by data use in biomedical research and health care, and sets out key ethical principles for the design and governance of data initiatives.

Hands point to big screen with DNA sequence code

Background Paper

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01 Feb 15

Identifying key developments, issues and questions relating to techniques of genome editing with engineered nucleases

This commissioned paper discusses scientific, ethical and governance aspects of genome editing with engineered nucleases

Background Paper

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16 May 11

Genomics, health records, database linkage and privacy

Report

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12 Oct 10

Medical profiling and online medicine: the ethics of 'personalised healthcare' in a consumer age

Press Release

DNA of innocent people should not be kept by police

DNA profiling is an increasingly valuable tool for detecting and prosecuting offenders, but more saf...

19 Sep 2007

Report

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19 Sep 07

The forensic use of bioinformation: ethical issues

This report uses the principle of proportionality as a basis for recommendations in a number of areas including the use of the National DNA Database.

Press Release

Supplement to 1993 Report on Genetic Screening

The Nuffield Council on Bioethics has published a Supplement to its report Genetic Screening: ethica...

12 Aug 2006

Report

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12 Aug 06

Genetic screening: a supplement to the 1993 report

This supplement to our 1993 report on genetic screening summarises scientific, technological and policy-related developments that have taken place over the past 13 years in the UK.

Report

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22 Sep 03

Pharmacogenetics: ethical issues

This report considers the implications of pharmacogenetics for research and development of medicines, clinical practice and treatment, and the use and storage of genetic information.

Report

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01 Oct 02

Genetics and human behaviour: the ethical context

Research is exploring how genes and the environment influence behavioural traits. This report addresses concerns over how this information could be used to try to predict, change or select such traits.

Report

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22 Jul 02

The ethics of patenting DNA: a discussion paper

This report considers whether the DNA patent system is achieving its aims of stimulating innovation for the public good, and rewarding people for useful new inventions.

Report

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01 Sep 98

Mental disorders and genetics: the ethical context

This report considers the ethical concerns raised by research into the genetics of mental disorders.

Report

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01 Dec 93

Health and society

Genomics

Explore our work in genetics and genomics.

Current Project

AI and genomics futures

News

The application of AI to genomics raises ‘urgent’ ethical questions, early findings suggest

News

Towards a best practice UK model for ethical standards in genomics healthcare and research

Report

Genomics healthcare and research

News

Invitation to tender: Deliberative mini-public on AI and 'genomic health prediction'

Blog

Whole Genome Sequencing in newborns: benefits and risks

News

Call for case studies on genomics and ethics

News

Second Reading of the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Bill

Press Release

Nuffield Council on Bioethics response the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Bill

Press Release

New public dialogue to explore views on genome editing in farmed animals

News

Call for people with expertise in genomics and AI

Report

Genome editing and farmed animal breeding: social and ethical issues

Public dialogue

Rapid online dialogue on genome editing and farmed animals

News

New joint project with the Ada Lovelace Institute on AI and genomics futures

News

Nuffield Council welcomes new international guidance on governance of human genome editing

News

Nuffield Council on Bioethics welcomes Select Committee report on direct-to-consumer genomic testing

News

Chair of Nuffield Council appointed to the National Genomics Board

Blog

The regulation of genetic technologies: time for dialogue

News

Nuffield Council responds to Science and Technology Committee's call for evidence on commercial genomics

News

‘Commercial genomics’ chosen for a new inquiry by the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee following Nuffield Council proposal

News

Nuffield Council on Bioethics to pitch ‘commercial genomics’ inquiry to MPs

Report

Genome editing and human reproduction: social and ethical issues

News

House of Commons Science and Technology Committee publishes report: Genomics and Genome Editing in the NHS

Policy Briefing

Whole genome sequencing of babies

Blog

Assessing the security implications of genome editing technology

Blog

Genome editing, human rights and the ‘posthuman’

Blog

A new social contract for Generation Genome?

Blog

CRISPR in North America: the National Academies’ report

Report

Non-invasive prenatal testing: ethical issues

News

Council responds to NAS-NAM report on human genome editing

Blog

CRISPR in South America: a case for 'liberation genomics'?

News

Joint statement: Ethics councils to give urgent attention to genome editing

Report

Genome editing: an ethical review

Press Release

Ethics review identifies top two challenges for genome editing

Blog

Public dialogue on genome editing: Why? When? Who?

News

Why? When? Who? Report of workshop on genome editing and public dialogue now published

News

HFEA approves licence application to use gene editing in research

Blog

Human gene editing: Keep calm and carry on conversing

Blog