Independent consultant in genomics, policy and bioethics

Mark Bale has led Government policy at the intersection between research, healthcare, ethics. His work includes legislation on emerging and disruptive technologies, and engaging with public, patients and diverse stakeholders to shape policy and delivery. He has served on several international bodies, including the EU, OECD, WHO, UNESCO, and Council of Europe.

Until March 2022 he was policy advisor and Programme Director for the 100,000 Genomes and seconded to Genomics England. He also acted as Deputy Chief Scientific Advisor to the Department of Health providing policy leadership in regenerative medicine and gene therapy, genome editing, precision medicine and rare diseases. Mark was seconded to lead the UK’s G7 Presidency work on global pathogen surveillance during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Having now left the Civil Service, Mark has several advisory roles in genomic medicine with leading science and ethics bodies. He continues to represent the UK at the Council of Europe Steering Committee on Human Rights and Biomedicine (and was Chair of the predecessor Committee on Bioethics at the Council of Europe from 2014-2016).