• View ecochildsplay’s profile on Facebook
  • View ecochildsplay’s profile on Twitter
  • View ecochildsplay’s profile on Instagram
  • View ecochildsplay’s profile on Pinterest
  • View Jennifer Lance’s profile on LinkedIn
  • View ecochildsplay’s profile on YouTube
  • View ecochildsplay’s profile on Google+

Eco Child's Play

Live a greener, healthier life!

  • Environment
  • Pregnancy
  • Food & Recipes
  • Health News
  • Parenting
  • Green Toys
  • Beauty & Beauty Products
  • Green Home & Cleaning
  • Contact

The Government is Storing Your Baby’s DNA Without Your Consent

baby DNA

Did your newborn undergo genetic testing?  The answer is yes, even without your consent, if your child was born in a hospital or birthing center.  Even babies born at home often go in for basic testing, like PKU, at two days old (mine did).

What parents don’t know, beyond the results of such genetic testing, is that many states keep your child’s DNA on file indefinitely without your consent.

I try not to be paranoid, but I really wonder why the government feels the need to store children’s DNA without parental consent.  From state to state, policies vary, but what they have in common is that most parents are not informed.  According to CNN:

According to the state of Minnesota’s Web site, samples are kept so that tests can be repeated, if necessary, and in case the DNA is ever need to help parents identify a missing or deceased child. The samples are also used for medical research…

Brad Therrell, who runs the federally funded genetic resource consortium, says parents don’t need to worry about the privacy of their babies’ DNA.

“The states have in place very rigid controls on those specimens,” Therrell says. “If my children’s DNA were in one of these state labs, I wouldn’t be worried a bit.”

Since genetic testing is mandated by law, often parents are not aware the tests have even occurred after their child is born. What concerns parents is what states do with this information, and as CNN, explains, health insurance pay for the tests and thus have access to the results.  CNN continues:

Many parents don’t realize their baby’s DNA is being stored in a government lab, but sometimes when they find out, as the Browns did, they take action. Parents in Texas, and Minnesota have filed lawsuits, and these parents’ concerns are sparking a new debate about whether it’s appropriate for a baby’s genetic blueprint to be in the government’s possession.

“We were appalled when we found out,” says Brown, who’s a registered nurse. “Why do they need to store my baby’s DNA indefinitely? Something on there could affect her ability to get a job later on, or get health insurance.”

By consulting this chart, I found out that my state of California keeps children’s DNA samples indefinitely.  Testing and storing DNA without parental consent just feels like Big Brother is watching.  I am thankful my child’s name is not attached to any samples used for research, and I probably would have agreed to such a use given a choice; however, I believe as parents we should be told our states are storing our children’s genetic information forever.  I can’t help but suspect such information could or would be used in criminal situations.  I’m not sure how I feel about that.

  • Twitter
  • Email
  • Pinterest
  • Print
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • More
  • WhatsApp
  • Tumblr
  • Reddit
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Subscribe!

« Recycled & Fun Valentines to Make With Your Kids
The Top 10 Toxic Products You Don’t Need »

Comments

  1. OCMomActivities - Katie says

    February 10, 2010 at 12:00 pm

    Yeah… I’m not sure how I feel about it either. It’s just a bit Big Brotherish to me…

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Search Content

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter


About Eco Child’s Play

Our ethos is to provide news, information, and opinions on natural, green parenting to help your family live a greener, healthier life! Additionally, we offer personal consulting services to help you achieve your green living goals.

Jennifer is a vegetarian, yoga teacher, gardener, hiker, teacher, and mother that has been living off-the-grid for over 20 years.

Contact Eco Child’s Play

Plants Over Plastics! Repurpose Compostable Home Products

Convenient Plastic Container Free Dropps Laundry & Dishwashing Pods

More from the archives!

A Review of The Green Year by Jodi Helmer

The Baby Einstein Farce

PlayGround Hazards: Sand and Pressure Treated Lumber

The Friendliest Materials for Baby’s Bedrooms

Plastic Munchkin Toddler Cups: BPA-Free But I Think Glass is Still Best

cbd salve joy organics

CBD Products that Actually Deliver: Joy Organics

wama hemp underwear

The Most Comfortable Underwear is Made of Hemp: WAMA Review

Information

  • About & Contact
  • Archive
  • Blog
  • Consulting Services
  • Disclaimer, Disclosure, & Sponsored Posts
  • Privacy Policy

PBS "Share the Earth" Earth Day Campaign

Luxury skincare

själ skincare: bridging ancient eastern medicines with western biotechnology

Never Mind the New York Times – Buy a Compact Fluorescent Lightbulb

Eco-friendly designs for children’s rooms

5 Green Products: It’s a Jungle Out There!, Purely Elizabeth Ancient Grain Granola, Sativa Bags Hemp Baby Changer Shoulder Bag, bamboobies, Coghlan’s Bug-Eye LED Headlight for Kids

Popular Categories

  • Breastfeeding
  • Health News
  • Natural Childbirth
  • Parenting
  • Education
  • Product Review
  • Green Toys

Get our posts via email

Please stay in touch!

You might also like to read…

Hank D and the Bee: Eggs=Money

Make It!: A Book Review

How to Teach Teens to Cook Green

Teen Faces Deportation over Gardasil

cloth reusable gift bags

Gratitude Gift Bags: To Keep or Give…Wrap Again and Again!

Copyright © 2023 · Divine theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2023 · Divine Theme On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.