Dr Mark Bale

 

Head of Science Partnerships, Genomics England and Genomics Policy Expert, Department of Health & Social Care

Mark Bale is a Senior Civil Servant with long-standing responsibilities in emerging healthcare science areas and their ethical, legal and policy implications.

He led on the 2012 Human Genomics Strategy which became the 100,000 Genomes Project. His current priorities are supporting policy on genomics and delivery of the 100,000 Genomes Project, acting as the DHSC Programme Director.  Since 2015 he has been seconded to Genomics England as Head of Science Partnerships.

His led policy in regenerative medicine and gene therapy, genome editing, precision medicine and rare diseases. He also had professional and management responsibility for scientists in the wider Department.

He represents the UK on bioethics, genomics, and biotechnology at international committees.  He was Chair of the Committee on Bioethics at the Council of Europe from 2014-2016.

Mark has a research background in microbial genetics and joined the Department of Health in 1999 after working on the occupational safety of GMOs and pathogens.