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WQ.331/2024
WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES
BY DEPUTY R.S. KOVACS OF ST. SAVIOUR
QUESTION SUBMITTED ON MONDAY 7th OCTOBER 2024
ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON MONDAY 14th OCTOBER 2024
Question
"Will the Minister advise whether any plans are under consideration to implement extended genetic screening for newborns, similar to the NHS Genomic Medicine Service, with the aim of detecting curable disorders early in childhood; and if there are no such plans, will he agree to explore this option and advise what would be required in order to initiate this testing in Jersey?"
Answer
The NHS are not currently offering a genetic screening service for newborn babies. Genomics England, in partnership with 13 participating NHS hospitals, is currently undertaking a research study in which parents of newborn babies are asked if they wish their babies genome to be sequenced in order to identify rare genetic conditions. The study, which is called the Generation Study, is designed to develop evidence as to whether, in future, it is feasible and acceptable to offer genomic screening to all children, taking account of the possible risks and benefits of doing so. In the event the study concludes that genomic screening should be offered by the NHS to all children, we would consider whether it should also be introduced in Jersey.