Name: Mark Bale PhD

Status: Deputy Head of Health Science and Bioethics,
Public and International Health Directorate<
Department of Health

 

Mark Bale leads on a number of key emerging healthcare science areas and their ethical, legal and policy implications, with a particular emphasis on genomics and regenerative medicine.  He is also Head of Profession for Scientists and Engineers and Deputy to the Chief Scientific Adviser, Dame Sally Davies.
His current priorities are supporting the delivery of the Prime Minister’s 100K genomes initiative, the Regenerative Medicine Expert Group and the UK Rare Diseases Strategy.
The wider Division’s priorities include embryology and assisted conception, human organs and tissue, screening and early diagnosis, sexual health, rare diseases and regenerative medicine.  It also has responsibility for the several arms-length organisations including NHS Blood and Transplant, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority and the Human Tissue Authority. 
He also represents the UK on bioethics and biotechnology at the Council of Europe and OECD.  He is the Chair of the Bioethics subcommittee of the Council of Europe’s Human Rights Committee.
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.