Genetic data privacy
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Strayer University *
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Course
410
Subject
Information Systems
Date
Jun 27, 2024
Type
Pages
6
Uploaded by BailiffKnowledge7741
THE IMPORTANCE OF
GENETIC DATA PRIVACY
Abigail Torres-Guerrero
1
Summary
2
The Protection
of Genetic
Privacy
3
Chart
4
Recommendation 5
Works Cited
The Protection of Genetic Privacy
Genetic data privacy protects an individual's genetic information from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure. This
type of data is particularly sensitive because it “...reveals sensitive information not only about consumers' health,
characteristics, and ancestry but also about their families." (Jillson, 2024, para. 2). As genetic testing becomes more
accessible, “...the amount of genetic information generated, analyzed, shared, and stored increases (Clayton, 2019,
para. 1) posing significant privacy concerns. The leak of information could lead to discrimination and ”...affect a
person's access to healthcare, employment, and other rights.” (Lee, 2022, para. 2) It can even lead to identity theft.
Ensuring genetic data privacy is important for several reasons. First and foremost, It upholds individuals" autonomy and rights over their genetic information, preventing its misuse for
purposes unrelated to those intended. Protecting genetic privacy also fosters trust in healthcare and research
institutions that are supposed to protect these details.
This encourages individuals to participate in genetic studies or seek genetic testing to help advance the medical field.
Maintaining strict privacy measures is essential for the ethical conduct of research, ensuring that the participant's data
is handled responsibly and with consent. As technologies evolve and our understanding of genetics deepens,
maintaining robust genetic data privacy standards becomes increasingly vital to safeguarding individual rights and
promoting the responsible use of genetic information in both medical and scientific contexts.
Genetic Privacy: DNA Tests
Genetic testing and genetic data privacy are closely related in
many ways. When you participate in genetic testing, your DNA is
sent to a lab and analyzed to provide information about your
ancestry, health risks, and other possible genetic traits. Genetic
data and biometerics are extremely personal, as it contains
information about your unique genetic makeup. Genetic data
privacy refers to the protection of this sensitive information from
unauthorized access/use or disclosure. It's important because
this data can reveal intimate details about an individual and their
family such as certain diseases, and ancestry details. Many
people are concerned about the privacy of their genetic data due
to the potential risks of misuse. Unauthorized access to genetic
information could lead to discrimination by employers, insurance
companies, or even sold to and misused by third parties.
Therefore, ensuring strong privacy measures, such as secure
storage, encryption, and being careful who you give it to, is
essential when dealing with genetic data from testing. Overall
genetic testing provides valuable insights into an individual's
genetic makeup, but it's crucial to protect individual privacy.
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