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You are in Human Genetics → Privacy and Discrimination

Privacy and Discrimination

DNA can be used to identify individuals in a similar way to a fingerprint. It can also reveal who a person is related to and some information about their risk of future illness. Testing and storing DNA therefore raises important issues about privacy and rights.
In Britain, the police National DNA Database is the largest in the world and includes many people who have never been convicted of any offence.
People with adverse genetic test results may be discriminated against in the future by insurers or employers.

Recent Articles

• in Modernising police powers consultation
  Briefing: How many innocent children are being added to the National DNA Database?
  22nd May 2007

  Briefing by GeneWatch UK and Action on Rights for Children. Based on Home Office figures we calculate that at least 100,000 innocent 10-17 year-olds are on the DNA Database.

• in Modernising police powers consultation
  Briefing note for MPs, MSPs, AMs & MLAs. DNA: proposed expansions of powers
  26th March 2007

• in MP Briefings
  Briefing for Councillors and Police Authorities: Police retention of DNA
  23rd February 2007

• in The UK Police National DNA Database
  The Police National DNA Database Leaflet
  14th December 2006

• in Reclaim your DNA
  The Police National Database Card
  14th December 2006

Resources

• Press Releases
  • GeneWatch PR: GeneWatch response to the Nuffield report on forensic use of DNA 18th September 2007
  • GeneWatch PR: GeneWatch response to calls to expand the National DNA Database 5th September 2007
  • GeneWatch PR: GeneWatch welcomes citizens' inquiry into police use of DNA 2nd August 2007
  • GeneWatch & ARCH PR: Over 100,000 innocent young people now on the National DNA Database 22nd May 2007
  • GeneWatch PR: Police DNA database out of control, concludes new GeneWatch investigation 16th July 2006
  • GeneWatch PR: GeneWatch UK response to Scottish Parliament's vote on police retention of DNA. 25th May 2006
  • GeneWatch PR: GeneWatch response to new proposals for police retention of DNA in Scotland. 22nd May 2006
  • GeneWatch PR: Misleading benefits claimed for police retention of innocent people's DNA, says new GeneWatch report 27th February 2006
  • GeneWatch PR: Keep Genetic Testing Private - Health and Human Rights at Risk - say leading disability, health and human rights groups 14th February 2006
  • GeneWatch PR: GeneWatch UK response to the Science and Technology Committee report 'Forensic Science on Trial' 29th March 2005
  • GeneWatch PR: Gene test insurance deal inadequate: GeneWatch UK comment on announcement of deal between the Government and insurance industry 14th March 2005
  • GeneWatch PR: Police DNA database needs stronger safeguards for privacy and human rights 12th January 2005
  • GeneWatch PR: Legal loophole allows genetic discrimination in the workplace. 25th September 2003
  • GeneWatch PR: GeneWatch UK response to Government White Paper on Genetics: Safeguards against genetic discrimination insufficient 24th June 2003
  • GeneWatch PR: GeneWatch response to Human Genetics Commission report on personal genetic information 21st May 2002
  • GeneWatch PR: GeneWatch UK Response to Insurance Industry Announcement on Genetic Tests 23rd October 2001
• Reports
  • The DNA Expansion Programme: reporting real achievement? 27th February 2006
  • Genetic discrimination by insurers and employers: still looming on the horizon. 14th February 2006
  • The Police National DNA Database: Balancing Crime Detection, Human Rights and Privacy. 1st January 2005
  • Genetic Testing in the Workplace 1st June 2003
• Briefings
  • Briefing note for MPs, MSPs, AMs & MLAs. DNA: proposed expansions of powers 26th March 2007
  • Briefing for Councillors and Police Authorities: Police retention of DNA 23rd February 2007
  • MSPs' Briefing - Police Retention of DNA 9th February 2006
  • Briefing 31: THE POLICE NATIONAL DNA DATABASE: Human rights and privacy 1st June 2005
  • MPs' Briefing: Human Genetics No. 5 - The Police DNA database: balancing crime detection and human rights 1st January 2005
  • Briefing 27:Bar-Coding Babies: Good for Health? 1st August 2004
  • Briefing 24: Genetic Testing in the Workplace: Creating a genetic underclass? 1st November 2003
  • MPs' Briefing: Human Genetics No. 1 - Genetic Testing in Insurance: A New Form of Discrimination 1st October 2001
  • Briefing 15: Genetic Testing in Insurance and Employment: A new Form of Discrimination 1st June 2001
• Consultation responses
  • GeneWatch UK Submission to the Discrimination Law Review 7th August 2007
  • GeneWatch UK submission to the Nuffield Council on Bioethics' consultation on forensic use of bioinformation 9th January 2007
  • Submission to Home Office consultation on standard setting and quality regulation in forensic science 19th October 2006
  • Police retention of prints and samples: proposals for legislation. 20th July 2005

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Resources

• Press Releases
• Reports
• Briefings
• Consultation responses

Topics

• Genetic Testing in Insurance and Employment

  There is currently no law in Britain to prevent employers using genetic test results to decide who gets a job or pension.

• The UK Police National DNA Database

  The Home Affairs Committee has published its surveillance society report, which calls for a new regulatory framework for the DNA database. Black Mental Health UK has launched a campaign calling for innocent mental health patients to be removed from the Database.