Who Owns Your DNA?

Written by Sue Jeffers

Saturday, 08 December 2007 16:20

The state of Minnesota's Health and Human Services (HHS) budget is $11.4 Billion. Included in this budget is funding for the Health Insurance Exchange, state funded abortions, genetic databases, online medical records and electronic surveillance, prescription surveillance and narcotic databases.

Part of the HHS agenda includes the Minnesota Genetic Information Work Group. . A subcommittee is currently discussing recommendations on the sale, use, consent, dissent and property rights of our DNA.

There are lots of organizations who want our time and money but few work as hard as the President of the Citizens' Council on Health Care, Twila Brase. The CCHC advocates to protect patient privacy, reduced dependency on government health care programs, and market based health care solutions. Recently, Twila sent out the following survey.

Please answer the following questions and return comments to Twila Brase at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Additional contact information below.

CCHC SURVEY

Please answer yes or no.

1) DNA is the private property of the individual. Y or N

2) DNA is public property, available to be used by government and others for 'public good' purposes. Y or N

3) Only with explicit informed written consent should a person, government agency, corporation, researcher, or institution be allowed to use an individual's DNA-filled tissues, fluids, and body parts for medical or genetic research. Y or N

4) Unless an individual objects (dissents) the individual's DNA-filled tissues, fluids, and body parts may be used for medical or genetic research. Y or N

5) Hospitals, clinics, doctors, laboratories and others who obtain or receive blood, urine, hair, tissue, organs or other body parts in the process of providing medical treatment may use these body parts at their own discretion, including for medical and genetic research. Y or N

6) Hospitals, clinics, doctors, laboratories, and others who obtain or receive blood, urine, hair, tissue, organs or other body parts in the process of providing medical treatment may sell these body parts at their own discretion. Y or N

7) Your Comments:

Please provide contact information for CCHC's contact purposes only.

Name:
Phone:
Email: