(MN) collects DNA samples from newborns, shares it with third parties without informed consent
Parents Sue State to Protect Genetic Info
MINNEAPOLIS (CN) - Minnesota collects DNA samples from newborn children, then illegally keeps the genetic information and shares it with third parties without informed consent of the parents, parents say in a class action.
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They claim that state violated its own Genetic Privacy Act by collecting, storing and disseminating their children's genetic information without informed consent.
The Genetic Privacy Act took effect Aug. 1, 2006.
"Under Minnesota's 'Newborn Screening' program, within five days of each minor plaintiff's birth ... defendants removed blood from each minor plaintiff, which contains the genetic information of the minor plaintiff," the complaint states.
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However, "After testing the minor plaintiffs' blood for disorders, defendants did not destroy the blood sample, but instead stored or retained the blood sample," the complaint states. The parents say the state did this without their informed consent, and that the state then "disseminated the genetic information, and conducted tests and research on the genetic information belonging to numerous other persons in Minnesota," also without consent.
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It adds: "The MNDOH and the State, through and under the direction of the Commissioner shared and disseminated the plaintiffs' genetic information with third-parties without obtaining plaintiffs' informed written consent."
http://www.courthousenews.com/2012/01/19/43164.htm
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BTW: You have the best sig line ever, "locked by a jury".
Whatever it was, it must have been a real zinger. 