Proposals for a national scheme to take DNA profiles of every baby born in the UK have been rejected by genetics experts. The Human Genetics Commission (HGC) and the National Screening Committee had been asked to assess the pros and cons of a baby profiling scheme. They concluded it would not be cost effective, and posed ethical problems. Supporters of baby profiling say it could help to predict the likelihood of developing diseases in later life. It its report to ministers, the HCG recommended that the issue be re-examined in five years. It said at present it was not likely to be publicly affordable - but developing technology should eventually bring costs down. Should a national scheme go ahead, then vigorous safeguards would be needed to protect confidentiality, and minimise the risk of discrimination, the HCG said. However, it said it would be very difficult to ensure that information would not be misused. There were also concerns about if and how a child would be informed if found to be at risk of disease.
