Genetic privacy
Genetic Privacy is a subcategory of personal privacy, focusing specifically on the protection of personal information derived from genetic tests. Given the increasing prevalence of genetic testing, and the sensitivity of the information it generates, genetic privacy is a critical and rapidly evolving field.
Overview[edit | edit source]
Genetic privacy involves the concept of personal privacy concerning the storing, repurposing, provision to third parties, and displaying of information derived from genetic tests. Essentially, genetic privacy encapsulates a person's rights to and control over their own genetic information.
Importance[edit | edit source]
The importance of genetic privacy is underscored by the sensitive nature of the information that genetic tests can reveal. This includes predispositions to certain health conditions and diseases, as well as personal traits and ancestry. Unauthorized access or misuse of this information could lead to discrimination, stigmatization, or other harms.
Legal Protections[edit | edit source]
In many jurisdictions, there are legal protections in place to safeguard genetic privacy. For example, in the United States, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) prohibits discrimination on the basis of genetic information in relation to health insurance and employment.
Challenges[edit | edit source]
Despite these protections, there are still many challenges to maintaining genetic privacy. These include the increasing popularity of direct-to-consumer genetic testing services, the sharing of genetic information on public databases, and the potential for law enforcement or other entities to access this information.
See Also[edit | edit source]
- Genetic testing
- Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act
- Personal privacy
- Health conditions
- Diseases
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