THE North-East is to become the UK capital for research into the forthcoming genetics revolution, a leading government advisor said yesterday.

The prediction came as Britain's foremost human rights lawyer launched a drive to give ordinary people a say in the ethics of genetic research.

Baroness Kennedy, chairwoman of the Human Genetics Commission, said it was no accident that the North-East had been chosen to begin a nationwide process of public consultation about the uses of personal genetic information.

"Newcastle is actually the capital of this whole area of science at the moment - and so we thought it was a particularly great place to have one of the first big public meetings," said Baroness Kennedy.

"I feel very strongly that if we want to have a public debate there are plenty of voices outside the metropolis that should be heard."

The Human Genetics Commission plans to tour the UK asking people for their views.

The consultation document, Whose Hands on Your Genes, considers what safeguards should be put in place to prevent unfair discrimination or exploitation.

It will report its findings to the Government in February.

Members of the commission met in the futuristic surroundings of the £70m International Centre for Life - which will soon become home to a 150-strong team of research scientists and clinical staff.

Apart from providing a base for research into medical genetics, the centre aims to apply this knowledge in the treatment of genetic disease.

Baroness Kennedy revealed the interim results of a survey which showed that the vast majority of people believe human genetic information could, and should, be used for understanding disease or identifying criminals, but should not be used for setting insurance premiums, or for parents to choose the characteristics of children.

Members of the commission toured the Life Interactive World exhibition, with 200 local 15 to 18-year-olds, and took part in discussions.

Dr Tom Shakespeare, director of the Policy, Ethics and Life Sciences Research Institute at the Centre for Life, said: "We are very happy that this meeting is happening in Newcastle. It puts us on the map."

He urged people to read the document and fill in the questionnaire.

For a copy of the document, ring 0800 555 777