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DNA is back in the spotlight, cracking cold cases. But questions are being raised after the state spent decades collecting the DNA of infants without parents realizing it.
California has been collecting newborn blood samples since 1983.
Many parents were shocked to hear their children’s blood is being stored in a state database, and possibly even sold to outside researchers. Pricking the toes newborns, to test their blood for certain disorders. The remaining blood becomes “property of the state,” and could be shared with outside researchers.
“I feel like that’s something that should have been discussed with us, in person, not on whatever page in a document,” said one mom.
The state tells new parents about it, hidden on page 13 of a 14-page pamphlet, and California can hold onto those samples indefinitely.
“These samples are needed to create new testing technology,” said Fred Lorey.
Lorey used to run California’s Genetic Disease Screening Program and says the blood spots are de-identified.
That means no name or medical information, just the blood and a number.
“There is no such thing as...