The health secretary yesterday unveiled wide-ranging proposals to boost genetic screening in the UK.

Publishing a white paper on the issue, John Reid revealed that in future every newborn child could be genetically screened.

MPs were told that there will be a significant boost in NHS screening, with Down's syndrome testing to be available to all pregnant women by 2005.

There will also be extra cash for research into genetic diseases such as cystic fibrosis.

"Increasing understanding of genetics will bring more accurate diagnosis, more personalised prediction of risk, new gene-based drugs and therapies and better targeted prevention and treatment," Reid said.