NSW: Non-consensual genetic testing should be a crime - paper
SYDNEY, Aug 28 AAP - New laws are proposed to ban employers, private investigatorsand "celebrity trophy hunters" from collecting body samples for genetic tests withoutconsent.
The recommendations are contained in a key report, the Protection of Human GeneticInformation, prepared by by the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) and the AustralianHealth Ethics Committee (AHEC).
The 900-page discussion paper was released today after an 18-month inquiry into themire of legal, ethical and privacy issues arising from gene-based technology and information.
Under the recommendations, police would be exempt from laws against non-consensualtesting and employers would only be able to collect and use genetic information with theconsent of job applicants or employees when it relates specifically to occupational healthand safety obligations.
Insurers would have to seek special approval for the use of particular genetic testsfor risk-rating.
The report says technical advances and increasing knowledge about genetics would expandthe potential uses and abuses of human genetic information.
"In such circumstances there also may be increasing pressures on governments, employers,insurers and others to uncover and utilise genetic information," it says.
A final report will be presented to the federal government by the end of March next year.
Other recommendations include:
- Independent monitoring of the operation of forensic DNA databases.
- Regulation of `do-it-yourself' genetic testing kits by the Therapeutic Goods Administration(TGA).
- The establishment of an independent, standing advisory body, the Human Genetics Commissionof Australia (HGCA), to advice Australian governments.
- `Stand-alone' genetic anti-discrimination legislation.
- Licensing or registration of human genetic research databases under a `gene trustee system'.
- The development of genetic counselling as a recognised allied health profession.
- Allowing children aged over 12 to make their own decisions in relation to paternity testing.
- A loosening of privacy laws to allow the disclosure of genetic information to familymembers where appropriate.
AAP jjs/hn/was
KEYWORD: GENETIC
No comments:
Post a Comment