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Routine DNA Tests For Newborns Mean Looming Privacy Problems

pogopop77 writes "CNN has an interesting story about how newborn babies in the United States are routinely screened for a panel of genetic diseases. Since the testing is mandated by the government, it's often done without the parents' consent. However, many states store that DNA information indefinitely, and even make it available to researchers with little or no privacy safeguards. Sometimes even the names are attached! Here is information on state-by-state policies (PDF) of the handling of the DNA information."

6 of 268 comments (clear)

  1. Re:CSI by Sockatume · · Score: 5, Funny

    Not right now. They're still taking...

    *sunglasses*

    Baby steps.

    --
    No kidding!!! What do you say at this point?
  2. Re:CSI by bsDaemon · · Score: 4, Funny

    YEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    ('cause you forgot the real punchline. This public service announcement added to sneak past the lameness filter.).

  3. Re:GATTACA by Luke+Wilson · · Score: 2, Funny

    Did they learn nothing from that movie? A genetic screening may show propensity for a disease, but it will never measure the human spirit.

  4. No worries. by Thanshin · · Score: 4, Funny

    The solution is obvious; we just need ways of permanently change our DNA.

    If irradiated spiders aren't enough, we can bring back the nuclear testing.

    This has the added positive effect of fighting crime.

  5. Re:What's next? by lxs · · Score: 2, Funny

    Hmmm that sounds like pedo reasoning to me. Maybe we should dig up this guy's cellar.

  6. Re:We've been doing this for years! by jbeaupre · · Score: 2, Funny

    They were stolen, molested, then dumped.

    --
    The world is made by those who show up for the job.