Should families own genetic information? Yes

doi:10.1136/bmj.39252.386030.AD

BMJ 2007;335:22 (7 July), doi:10.1136/bmj.39252.386030.AD

Feature

Head to head

Should families own genetic information? Yes

Anneke Lucassen, consultant

Wessex Clinical Genetics Service, Princess Anne Hospital, Southampton SO16 5YA

annekel@soton.ac.uk

We all share our genetic make up with relatives, and AnnekeLucassen argues that we should also share ownership of the resultsof DNA analysis. Angus Clarke believes, however, that in mostcases the knowledge can be considered private

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

The genetic code is held inside the cells that make up a person'sbody. The genetic material, cells, and body might be seen tobelong to that person, but does the genetic information deducedfrom this code belong (solely) to the individual? Just becauseyou own a hard disk, does it mean that you own the data on it?Or a DVD, the film?

Information from a particular section of genetic code can allowpredictions or conclusions about a person's current or futurehealth. The genetic code is inherited from parents and passedon to offspring. This transmission cannot be entirely avoidedor altered. The red hair or blue eyes that a child has inheritedfrom their parent signify a shared section of genetic code.Someone with achondroplasia probably has a mutation in the FGFR3gene. Can it be said that the person owns this genetic informationwhen it is . . . [Full text of this article]

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