More potential parents should be able to access genetic tests that would tell them if their offspring could develop hereditary health issues, according to the UK’s Human Genetics Commission.

“In our view, there are no specific ethical, legal or social principles that would make preconception genetic testing within the framework of a population screening programme unacceptable,” says a report from the government advisory group, released today.

Up to now preconception genetic tests have not been widely utilised in the UK, notes the commission. Some programmes have been organised by populations at particular risk of certain problems, such as Tay-Sachs in the Ashkenazi Jewish population, and a number of tests are available in the UK and in other countries for diseases such as cystic fibrosis, if people might suspect they are carriers.

The Human Genetic Commission was asked to look at the wider issue of whole-population preconception genetic screening by the UK National Screening Committee. Earlier testing could be superior to later testing, as it would improve the choice of would-be parents, concluded the commission.

However the thumbs up from the commission does not mean that there will be a wider roll out of pre-conception genetic tests in the UK. Suggestions in the report that children should be educated about – and perhaps even offered – screening have already prompted cries of ‘eugenics’ from the usual suspects.

A Department of Health spokesperson told the BBC, that “there are a number of considerations that are broader than the remit of this report which influence whether specific screening programmes should be established”.

The National Screening Committee will consider the report.