We're from the government -- We're here to help you, and besides, if your newborn hasn't done anythi

[kinzel]

We're here to help you, and besides, if your newborn hasn't done anything wrong you have nothing to worry about ...

OK --

http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/02/04/baby.dna.government/index.html?hpt=Sbin

Two questions?

1) does this bother you?

2) Is this something we can improve? Should we all walk in to have our DNA put in a file with our fingerprints, retinal pattern, and voice print, or not?

Comments

[redpimpernel.livejournal.com]

-Testing newborns without permission - okay. They don't ask parents permission to take height/weight/APGAR etc. It's simple data gathering.
-Keeping identifiable DNA samples indefinitely - wrong
-Keeping anonymous DNA samples for research purposes, what a boon!

The thing that I think is really noteworthy is that everyone is terrified of insurance companies holding our health info against us. So much so that people won't pursue treatment or diagnosis of some ailments, lest it potentially affect their future insurability, to the detriment to their current health. Is that crazy? There is something very wrong with that. Takes 'don't ask, don't tell" to a whole new level - don't heal.

I have a relative in the military who refused to get "official" treatment for their potentially autistic son because they didn't want that kind of diagnosis in the military parent's permanent record (even though it was a family member and not the parent. They thought it would effect their security rating and would ruin insurability in the future.

[grassrose.livejournal.com]

It wouldn't hurt their security rating at all. I have friends with autistic kids and clearances above top secret, but yes, it wouldn't surprise me at all if it made certain types of insurance harder to get.

[(Anonymous)]

I would bet that parents give consent in general terms when they agree to have a doctor deliver their baby - there's probably some general phrase about "testing" that could be interpreted to cover this type of screening. I strongly agree that the screening should be performed - a parent should be informed of potential health problems so that appropriate steps can be taken.

I also agree that the data and or samples should be available to researchers - without identification to a specific person. As long as we have our current health care system in place, anything that could potentially affect insurance eligibility and employment should be strictly private.

In response to the concerns of the military family mentioned above, while such a condition wouldn't affect a security clearance, it might have another impact. It might make it difficult for a military member to accept certain overseas assignments - or to have to go on an unaccompanied basis - if the assignment is in a location that doesn't have adequate support for the family member. These days, for career advancement certain types of assignments are standard and not having them could seriously impact a career.

Mary