HGC Business: work plan
HGC Work Plan 2007/2008
In our last annual report, we set out our work plan until Autumn 2007. In doing so we announced a shift of emphasis from producing lengthy reports to following through on earlier recommendations and responding to issues as they arise and are identified by our monitoring groups. The reports from these groups contained elsewhere in this report show that there has been no shortage of issues arising to tackle.
During the latter half of 2007, the Commission will undergo a routine review carried out by an independent reviewer on behalf of its sponsor departments, the Department of Health, the Department of Trade and Industry, and the devolved administrations. The outcome of this review will have consequences for HGC’s future work, both in terms of how the Commission works and the areas to which it gives attention.
Our work for the 2007-08 period will therefore fall into four main categories:
- Carrying forward and completing ongoing work
- Responding to new developments
- Involving the public
- Reviewing and improving our effectiveness
Carrying forward ongoing work
A major item of work in this category will be following through our work on genetic tests supplied directly to the public. As our examination of the area to date has indicated, this is likely to become a major growth area, with many new providers poised to enter the market. We aim, therefore, to continue to build on the relationships we have developed with experts and regulators and to facilitate the development and adoption of agreed standards of good practice with regard to the development and marketing of direct genetic testing services.
Our work on genetics and discrimination, which has involved a number of aspects – for example, in relation to the use of genetic information in insurance and employment – and which led to our response to the Equalities Review will continue in 2007-08 as the Government’s proposals for new consolidated anti-discrimination legislation are developed and debated.
We also intend to follow up our survey of the impact of NHS financial constraints on genetic services to see to what extent our findings of 2006-07 are repeated in the next financial year.
Responding to new developments
In 2007-08 we wish to preserve the ability to respond to developments which, by their nature, are less predictable. Developments in genetics science have brought us to a point where we can expect a greatly increasing level of translation into clinical practice and innovation in other areas (such as forensic identification, genealogy searching and insurance underwriting) which throw up ethical and juridical considerations.
One area where we foresee a number of issues arising is in connection with the Human Tissue and Embryos legislation, which the Government intends to bring forward to govern assisted conception, embryo research and the use of human tissue.
Public involvement
A major item in our work plan is the Citizens’ Inquiry into the forensic use of genetic information. Having secured the external funding needed to get the project underway, we intend to look for an innovative approach which offers the possibility of genuine and ongoing engagement with citizens, especially from parts of the population who may be particularly affected.
We will also continue to conduct our business in an open and transparent way, holding our main plenary meetings and as many other events as possible in public and in a variety of locations around the four home countries to facilitate the broadest possible access to the Commission and engagement with our work.
Reviewing and improving our effectiveness
During the latter half of 2007 the Commission will undergo a periodic ‘light touch’ review. This is an opportunity to review what we have achieved, where we are as a Commission, and where we go from here. We expect the review to produce lessons for the Commission and for the advisory and regulatory environment in which we operate, and to help us to develop more effective ways of fulfilling our terms of reference, supporting and interacting with our stakeholders, and getting across our messages.