2008 National DNA Day Online Chatroom Transcript

This is just one question from an archive of the National DNA Day Moderated Chat held in April 2008. The NHGRI Director and many genomics experts from across NHGRI took questions from students, teachers and the general public on topics ranging from basic genomic research, to the genetic basis of disease, to ethical questions about genetic privacy.

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Is it illegal to analyze a person's DNA without his or her consent?
     Vence Bonham, J.D.: The ethical, legal, social and policy implications of genomic discoveries, particularly health professionals' and lay persons' understanding of race, ethnicity and genetics. It depends, this is an important policy question that states across this country are addressing regarding whether individuals who have been arrested and charged with a crime are required to give their DNA to law enforcement. Individuals who have been convicted of a felony are required to provide their DNA. It is illegal without a court order to analyze a person's DNA in many situations.
St. Ignatius College Prep in IL (12th grade student)

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