Gene theft

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Animation of DNA, a part of our identity.

In

paternity, proving genealogical connections or even unmasking private medical conditions.[2]

Criminal law

Currently, there are not many laws pertaining to the punishment that one may receive from obtaining the genetic material of others without their consent. However, due to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), one's genetic material cannot be given to his or her school or employer as the genome is a part of one's personal health data, but, law enforcement can have access to it without consent. This only occurs when a person is either a victim or a suspect of a criminal investigation.[3]

non-consensual appropriation of genetic materials.[8] In Alaska, Florida, New Jersey, New York and Oregon, individuals caught swiping DNA face fines or short jail sentences.[8] Lawsuits against "gene snatchers" are permitted in Minnesota, New Hampshire and New Mexico.[8]
In jurisdictions where such non-consensual taking of DNA is illegal, exceptions are generally made for law enforcement.

Ethics

Many

Golden State Killer case in California, who was connected to at least 50 rapes and 12 murders between 1976 and 1986. After the case went cold, investigators used a website that compared the genetic information of those who had uploaded their information and found a relative of the killer.[9]

However, others defend the appropriation of genetic material on the grounds that doing so may further human knowledge in productive ways.[2] One particularly controversial case which received widespread attention in the media was that of Derrell Teat, a wastewater coordinator, who sought to acquire without consent the DNA of a man who was allegedly the last male descendant of her great-great-great-grandfather's brother.[2][10] Another prominent case was a United States paternity suit involving film producer Steve Bing and billionaire investor Kirk Kerkorian.[11]

See also

References

  1. ^ Joh, Elizabeth (2011). "DNA Theft: Recognizing the Crime of Nonconsensual Genetic Collection and Testing" (PDF). Boston University Law. 91: 665.
  2. ^ a b c Harmon, Amy. Stalking Strangers’ DNA to Fill in the Family Tree. The New York Times April 2, 2007
  3. ISSN 1059-1028
    . Retrieved 2019-11-14.
  4. ^ Womack, Sarah. Report urges ban on secret DNA tests, The Daily Telegraph, May 22, 2002
  5. ^ Editorial: The Human Tissue Act, British Medical Journal, Sept 9, 2006.
  6. ^ Australia considers DNA theft laws United Press International, Nov 10, 2008
  7. ^ Smith, Deborah. Theft of DNA should be a crime: Experts, Sydney Morning Herald, May 30, 2003
  8. ^ a b c d e Appel, Jacob M. 'Gene-nappers,’ like identity thieves, new threat of digital age Archived 2012-03-06 at the Wayback Machine, The New Haven Register, Nov. 5, 2009
  9. S2CID 13756300
    .
  10. ^ San Francisco Chronicle, April 8, 2007
  11. ^ Coghlan, Andy. DNA theft should "be a criminal offence", May 21, 2002
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