Genetics Knowledge Park launched

At a conference to formally open CGKP, Professor Sir Alec Broers, Vice Chancellor of the University of Cambridge said:

"This initiative will have appeal and importance to everyone. For the first time science and the humanities, health professionals and business will work together on human genetics - to ensure we deal with the legal and social precedents set by its development, to keep the region internationally competitive and to benefit the health of all."

The conference, attended by the region's scientists and academics - many of them world leaders in their fields - was held at Hinxton Hall on 7 November.

Director of CGKP Dr Ron Zimmern explained that the Government has a vision to build a knowledge base in all aspects of human genetics via a network of six Knowledge Parks. This would allow genetics research to be exploited more efficiently and effectively to bring health benefits and to generate wealth within the UK economy.

He said:

"The Cambridge sub-region is already buzzing with expertise in human genetics: we are here to harness that energy and create wider benefits. By facilitating collaboration between the commercial sector and experts in science, public health, clinical medicine, ethics, law and social science we will provide a holistic approach on an unprecedented scale.

"The key benefit will be that we can facilitate more rapid use and application of the findings of genetics research to provide better testing, treatments and drugs. Importantly we will set research findings and implications into a social, ethical and legal framework to ensure that what is delivered will provide real advantages and advances.

"CGKP has further key roles to provide national leadership in public health genetics and contribute to the development of policy for the application of genetics science in the health services."

Professor Peter Lipton, Head of the University's Department of History and Philosophy of Science, said to delegates:

"It's vital for us all to be fully informed about the impacts of genetics in health - and to understand these impacts. The implications of genetics on health are enormous - treatments can be better targeted, for example, but this could be a financial disincentive to develop very specialised treatments for just a few patients. There are many questions surrounding the use of genetics in public health but CGKP will help us to answer some of them."

The conference delegates also heard from Dr David Bentley, Head of Human Genetics at the Sanger Centre. He said:

"We've developed a huge database of genetics information in the last ten years. CGKP and the many organisations and individuals involved with it will enable a better understanding of how that information and knowledge can be used more widely for public health benefits."

Bruce Ponder, Professor of Clinical Oncology at the University of Cambridge, said:

"Our genetics community has had to face many tricky issues and questions. CGKP will help us respond with one voice, based on a united expertise and, crucially, validation of research information."

An important part of CGKP is the business community. Walter Herriot, OBE, Director of St John's Innovation Centre, said,

"There are around 200 biotech companies in and around Cambridge, and not surprisingly we are a European centre of biotech excellence. But we must not rest on our laurels. The Knowledge Park will help the biotech community develop its infrastructure, encourage research synergy and facilitate technology transfer. It will provide leadership in keeping biotech at the front of wealth creation in our region and ensure the implications of genetics on human health are accessible and understood by all."

CGKP is funded by the genetics Knowledge Challenge Fund established by the Department of Health and the Department of Trade and Industry.