IT'S MY DNA!
Baby DNA and Newborn Screening
...[M]ost parents are completely stunned when they find out that their child's blood is being held by the State. They have no recollection and they think it's unlawful.
Dr. Sharon Kardia, University of Michigan, September 23, 2009.
Photo from 2005 MN Department of health provider manual
One FL baby says "Help! The Gov't Has My DNA"
Newborn screening is the most widely performed type of genetic testing in the United States today. . . . Most states, including New York, do not require parental consent. . . .
Most newborn screening programs, including New York's program, store residual newborn blood samples (bloodspots) and use them for research.
"Genetic Testing and Screening in the Age of Genomic Medicine (Exec. Summary), NY Dept. of Health.
Whether you like it or not, a complete [genomic] sequencing of newborns is not far away.
Francis Collins, Director, National Institutes of Health, October 26, 2009
Press Releases
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December 29, 2014
ST. PAUL, Minn.—This past year was perhaps one of the most crucial in history regarding patient rights and privacy, as important issues such as government health care, the storage of and research on baby DNA and federal biosurveillance plans all made headlines.
Press Releases
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December 09, 2014
ST. PAUL, Minn.—The U.S. Senate last night passed an Amendment to the “Newborn Screening Saves Lives Reauthorization Act of 2014” (H.R. 1281) that will take a necessary step to protect babies’ private genetic data and ensure that parents are informed about their newborn’s screening blood spots and how they will be used.
Press Releases
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December 01, 2014
Citizens’ Council for Health Freedom: Don’t Allow Government to Store and Use Genetic Blueprint of America’s Citizens Without Consent
ST. PAUL, Minn.—Lame-duck Senators and Representatives currently hashing out last-minute issues before the holidays have a pressing matter before them—and it involves America’s youngest citizens.
Press Releases
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November 17, 2014
Don’t Allow Government to Collect and Store Genetic Blueprint of America’s Citizens
ST. PAUL, Minn.—In the current lame duck session of Congress, which began last Wednesday, Senators and Representatives will be on a fast-and-furious mission to clear leftover business and push through the last remaining bills before newly elected lawmakers take office in January.
Event Notices
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October 21, 2014
CCHFreedom is sponsoring a special November Tea hosted by our own Wendy Leines targeting a special project aimed at informing new parents in the state of Minnesota about the change in their newborn's baby DNA retention.
Press Releases
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September 15, 2014
ST. PAUL, Minn.—On Thursday, September 11, Citizens’ Council for Health Freedom (CCHF,www.cchfreedom.org) marked its 20th anniversary of preserving patient-centered health care and protecting patient and privacy rights while also looking to the future of the country’s health care system.
Press Releases
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July 28, 2014
Citizens’ Council for Health Freedom: State Government Will Store and Research Private Genetic Info; Opt-Out Form Still Not Available
ST. PAUL, Minn.—This Friday will mark a huge step back in privacy rights for Minnesota’s tiniest residents—and the new law could have national implications.
Press Releases
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July 17, 2014
Citizens’ Council for Health Freedom Says Indiana Should Destroy Newborn DNA Stored Without Parent Consent
ST. PAUL, Minn.—Citizens’ Council for Health Freedom (CCHF, www.cchfreedom.org) is alerting parents in Indiana to take action to protect the genetic privacy of their newborn babies.
National Reports
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July 07, 2014
Press Releases
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July 07, 2014
ST. PAUL, Minn.—The blue and white “H” signs signifying a nearby hospital should be symbols of safety and help for those in need of medical care. But increased privacy intrusions, growing threats to parental rights, and encroaching government regulations that diminish quality of care have all contributed to making our nation’s health care system an increasingly unsafe place for Americans.
