Latest Rant:Post Date: 10.29.10 DNA of Newborns?In a recent investigation by a local CBS Affiliate, KPIX Channel 5 in San Francisco, it was disclosed that the blood test administered by many hospitals shortly after birth, may be used for purposes other than the one stated or intended. Since early 1980, every child that is born in the United States is given a tiny prick on the heel to check for genetic disease that could result in brain damage or death. According to the report, new parents Soni and Mauro Pislor learned that there was a bit more to it than that. After being used for the stated purpose, the blood spot containing their newborns’ dna will be stored in the California state database for at least a generation and used for genetic research. Other states do the same. While this may seem fairly innocuous on the surface, there could be far reaching repercussions for the future. You see, the state may allow others to access the database, for a number of reasons. While most of the current requests are for what anyone would consider valid reasons, requests from parents or law enforcement to prove paternity and/or identity, there are a number of requests from private researchers for material for genetic research. The state says they have very strict guidelines regarding what types of research is allowed. But that is now. What about the future? What about 20, 30 or 50 years down the road? How might those guidelines have changed? Is it conceivable that in 50 years, an employer might be able to request a sample for testing that would exclude their child from hiring due to a genetic predisposition? How about the insurance company that might want to deny coverage due to the presence of certain genetic code? We do not know what the future will bring nor do we know which way the wind will blow. The parent who is able to recover a abducted child years later due to this “genetic database” will certainly have a different view than the parent who finds their child rejected due to the discovery of a less than desirable flaw in their genetic code. Imagine such a database in the hands of Nazi Germany? What is your feeling on the topic? Read the story, then cast your vote. Parents Question Access To Mandatory Baby Blood Test « CBS San Francisco- News, Sports, Weather, Traffic and the Best of SF 
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