Microarray and sequencing specialist Illumina has entered the consumer genomics game with a DTC personal genome sequencing service. It's distancing itself from regulators by partnering with others to handle any secondary data interpretation and dialog with customers, but cautious or not, by reaching out directly to the public, the move does turn on its head the traditional notion of first developing a technology tool for research, then moving on to more regimented clinical applications.

The FDA has overcome doubts about the drug's safety and reversed its decision in just four months.

The December 12 UK general election returned a Conservative majority, the scale or which few would have predicted. It means that the  new government can press on with its plans for Brexit, the uncertainty now surrounding only when, not if.