You have to read this article at cnn.com that details something I must admit I knew nothing about. The article claims that upon a baby’s birth, the U.S. government has mandated that the child be tested for a host of genetic disorders and diseases. Some states then destroy the DNA while others don’t and instead lend the data out to researchers who feel it is a gold mine of information they would otherwise not be privy to. Apparently, these tests are administered and the bill given to your insurance company without a parents knowledge or consent. You only find out about it if your child has a positive result on the test or needs to be retested.
While this practice has saved many lives that otherwise may have been lost, I have a problem with the government at either the state or federal level having access to my child’s DNA. Please read the article and let me know what you think. You can go to the National Newborn Screening & Genetic Center website to learn more.
