Scientists raise concerns over UK baby genome sequencing plan

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/dec/02/scientists-raise-concerns-over-uk-baby-genome-sequencing-plan

by jimgordon • 5 years ago

5 6 5 years ago

theguardian.com

zoe48832• 5 years ago

About 25% babies tested have wrong parent. Wide spread DNA testing at birth could fix this issue.

celticninja2• 5 years ago

Where the stats for that claim?

zoe48832• 5 years ago

https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/business/business-ne...

teetertater• 5 years ago

Yeah, but those getting the test usually have a good reason and are willing to pay for it

From the article you linked:

The tests were carried out in cases where there was doubt about the identity of the child’s father. They were done for personal information reasons, rather than for legal purposes. The tests cost from £95.

LinuxBender• 5 years ago

Seems unfair and highly inappropriate to capture a babies genome when it is too young to consent to this. That data will be on record forever and leaked everywhere. What legal and technical protections does the baby have?

Suggestion: Wait until you have a hand-held DNA scanning device that can real-time scan the parents and the baby upon leaving the hospital. The device by law must not have writable storage and must dump all memory contents between uses. It must have a red light that says "No Match" and a green light that says "Match". If the red light comes on, you do a more extensive test that also has data retention protections in place. The parents must witness the entire chain of custody of the data from the more extensive test and witness the destruction of the data. Everyone involved signs a legally binding and witnessed data destruction form.

Scientists raise concerns over UK baby genome sequencing plan

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