By: Nicholas Tagg The turn of the 21st century brought with it the understanding and decoding of DNA, the building blocks of all life on Earth. As a species, we have begun to unlock and comprehend how DNA functions and how each of us possesses a unique code that reveals many secrets about our lives… Read More DNA Dilemmas: Dissecting the Dangers of Genetic Privacy
Genetics is a science that can be used to categorize people, stigmatize them, or subject them to social or economic discrimination. The individuals being tested are not the only ones with an interest in the test results. Family members, employers, insurers, the press, and the government all may desire information about a person’s genetics. Thus, raising a lot of privacy issues for genetic information. The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (GINA) was designed to prohibit the improper use of genetic information for insurance and employment purposes. Even with this we must be aware of potential threats to our privacy. As biotechnology and computer technology advance, substantial privacy issues will continue to arise.… Read More Confidentiality: Genetic Privacy
Do you own your genetic information? With the increasing popularity of affordable DNA analysis services, questions arise as to just where your personal information is going, who can use it, and whether it can be sold. … Read More DNA a La Carte: Legal Issues on the Horizon Around Commercialized DNA Testing
POSTED BY Kayla Morency In the 1970’s, biologists began experimenting with genetics and biotechnology, which ultimately resulted in genetically engineered DNA. This new process involved the crossbreeding of various animal, plant, viral, and bacterial genes, which would not naturally occur in the environment. In fact, the first patented genetically modified organism (GMO) was used by… Read More How Natural is All Natural?