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Genetic prophecy and genetic privacy--can we prevent the dream from becoming a nightmare?

Genetic prophecy and genetic privacy--can we prevent the dream from becoming a nightmare? code of an individual should be protected and considered confidential information in all circumstances"? I think they are, but their conclusion with respect to genetic privacy deserves more analysis. Genetic information can be considered uniquely private or personal information, even more personal than other medical information such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) status or mental health, for at least three reasons: it can predict an individual's likely medical future; it divulges personal information about one's parents, siblings, and children; and it has a history of being used to stigmatize and victimize individuals. The highly personal nature of the information contained in one's deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) can be illustrated by thinking of DNA as containing an individual's coded "future diary."3 A diary is perhaps the most personal and private document a person can create. It contains a person's innermost thoughts and perceptions and is usually hidden and locked to assure its secrecy. Diaries describe the past. The information in one's genetic code can be thought of as a coded probabilistic future diary because it describes an important part of a person's unique future and, as such, can affect and undermine one's view of himself or herself and his or http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png American Journal of Public Health American Public Health Association

Genetic prophecy and genetic privacy--can we prevent the dream from becoming a nightmare?

American Journal of Public Health , Volume 85 (9) – Sep 1, 1995

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Publisher
American Public Health Association
Copyright
Copyright © by the American Public Health Association
ISSN
0090-0036
eISSN
1541-0048
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

code of an individual should be protected and considered confidential information in all circumstances"? I think they are, but their conclusion with respect to genetic privacy deserves more analysis. Genetic information can be considered uniquely private or personal information, even more personal than other medical information such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) status or mental health, for at least three reasons: it can predict an individual's likely medical future; it divulges personal information about one's parents, siblings, and children; and it has a history of being used to stigmatize and victimize individuals. The highly personal nature of the information contained in one's deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) can be illustrated by thinking of DNA as containing an individual's coded "future diary."3 A diary is perhaps the most personal and private document a person can create. It contains a person's innermost thoughts and perceptions and is usually hidden and locked to assure its secrecy. Diaries describe the past. The information in one's genetic code can be thought of as a coded probabilistic future diary because it describes an important part of a person's unique future and, as such, can affect and undermine one's view of himself or herself and his or

Journal

American Journal of Public HealthAmerican Public Health Association

Published: Sep 1, 1995

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