A plan developing now would give the federal government ownership of that infant's DNA, obtained from blood samples taken at birth to screen for threatening diseases.
"A child's DNA held by the government could be sequenced, meaning a baby's genetic code could be completely detailed and mapped - and then recorded in a state government database, used and shared."
"The DNA of newborn citizens should not be used for research without parental consent, or later without their own consent as adults who were minors when their DNA was stored by state government without their consent."
She said the government is not allowed to take the DNA of adults without consent, except for a few limited circumstances.
"Yet the DNA of many of the 4 million children born each year is collected and stored, available to be used, analyzed and shared without parental consent. Newborn DNA warehousing and research is a secret government 'taking.' Most parents do not realize what is taking place in the midst of their exhaustion, joy and vulnerability at the hospital - and they are not asked. But when they figure it out, some of them sue, which is exactly what attorney Philip Ellison did in Michigan - the fifth lawsuit so far," she said.
While checking for certain disorders is important, the moms and dads are alarmed that state agencies are "Creating large repositories of leftover identifiable newborn data, blood and DNA for medical and genetic research without further consent from the parents."
CCHF previously helped 21 Minnesota families win a lawsuit that requiring all newborn DNA specimens in state custody be destroyed.
http://www.wnd.com/2018/05/feds-plan-to-take-ownership-of-your-babys-dna/
"A child's DNA held by the government could be sequenced, meaning a baby's genetic code could be completely detailed and mapped - and then recorded in a state government database, used and shared."
"The DNA of newborn citizens should not be used for research without parental consent, or later without their own consent as adults who were minors when their DNA was stored by state government without their consent."
She said the government is not allowed to take the DNA of adults without consent, except for a few limited circumstances.
"Yet the DNA of many of the 4 million children born each year is collected and stored, available to be used, analyzed and shared without parental consent. Newborn DNA warehousing and research is a secret government 'taking.' Most parents do not realize what is taking place in the midst of their exhaustion, joy and vulnerability at the hospital - and they are not asked. But when they figure it out, some of them sue, which is exactly what attorney Philip Ellison did in Michigan - the fifth lawsuit so far," she said.
While checking for certain disorders is important, the moms and dads are alarmed that state agencies are "Creating large repositories of leftover identifiable newborn data, blood and DNA for medical and genetic research without further consent from the parents."
CCHF previously helped 21 Minnesota families win a lawsuit that requiring all newborn DNA specimens in state custody be destroyed.
http://www.wnd.com/2018/05/feds-plan-to-take-ownership-of-your-babys-dna/
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