CGS-authored
UC Berkeley has found itself in the center of a genetics war after it announced last week that its "On the Same Page" program would be asking many incoming freshmen to submit DNA samples for testing.
Organizations such as the Berkeley-based Center for Genetics and Society are concerned that researchers could begin to utilize students' DNA samples without properly consulting them ahead of time, saying there is serious potential for misuse or abuse as the tests contain untapped valuable genetic information.
However, the campus College of Letters and Science, which conducts the "On the Same Page" program, has said the project is only meant to create a dialogue among students about changing health care technology and once the DNA has been analyzed, all samples will be destroyed.
Jesse Reynolds, project director on biotechnology accountability at the center, said that direct-to-consumer genetic testing has been controversial since its debut in fall 2007. There is concern about how the project's information will be obtained and how consumers such as incoming freshmen would be able to properly understand the information gene tests can...
Organizations such as the Berkeley-based Center for Genetics and Society are concerned that researchers could begin to utilize students' DNA samples without properly consulting them ahead of time, saying there is serious potential for misuse or abuse as the tests contain untapped valuable genetic information.
However, the campus College of Letters and Science, which conducts the "On the Same Page" program, has said the project is only meant to create a dialogue among students about changing health care technology and once the DNA has been analyzed, all samples will be destroyed.
Jesse Reynolds, project director on biotechnology accountability at the center, said that direct-to-consumer genetic testing has been controversial since its debut in fall 2007. There is concern about how the project's information will be obtained and how consumers such as incoming freshmen would be able to properly understand the information gene tests can...