Question reference: S5W-00674
- Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 10 June 2016
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Current status: Answered by Shona Robison on 22 June 2016
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it is developing to increase genetic screening in the NHS for diseases.
Answer
The Scottish Government works closely with independent expert advisory group the UK National Screening Committee, who advise ministers and the NHS in the four UK countries about all aspects of screening.
The Scottish Government and the Medical Research Council are investing £4 million and £2 million respectively to the Scottish Genomes Partnership for whole genome sequencing, in collaboration with Genomics England. This will contribute towards research to improve the understanding of genetic diseases and cancers and support the development of new diagnostic tests and treatments, including precision medicine.