Academy Of Ideas

Recording of a debate at the Battle of Ideas festival on Sunday 3 November 2019. Debate is growing about the use of a genetic/genomic approach called ‘polygenic scores’ to understand health and assess health risks. These scores are different from traditional genetic tests and can be used in relation to a vastly greater number of diseases and conditions. Advocates claim this new approach could revolutionise healthcare and – in the UK context – help redefine the NHS. Critics retort that polygenic scores are of limited use, and are perilously easy to misconstrue. Do polygenic scores offer vital information for patients and clinicians or could they lead to unnecessary anxiety and pointless medical intervention? DR TOBY ANDREW lecturer in human genetics, principal investigator in genetics, and programme organiser MSc in Human Molecular Genetics, Imperial College London SIR PETER DONNELLY CEO and founder, Genomics plc; professor of statistical science, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford NI