Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a invoice (SB 1099) Wednesday prompted by a decade-long CBS Information California investigation into California’s new child genetic biobank.
We nonetheless will not know who’s utilizing your DNA for analysis, or what the analysis is for, however the California Division of Public Well being should now reveal the variety of new child DNA samples that California is storing and the variety of DNA samples that the state sells to researchers every year.
California has saved blood spots from each child born within the state because the Eighties. Researchers and regulation enforcement can use these DNA samples with out your information or consent.
When you’re associated to somebody who was born in California since 1983, a portion of your DNA is probably going within the state’s large New child Genetic Biobank. In response to our decade-long investigation, lawmakers launched a number of payments this yr that had been meant to make clear how the state is amassing and utilizing California’s new child DNA stockpile.
SB 1099 was the one invoice to outlive the legislative session.
Whereas privateness advocates say it’s a step in the precise path, current amendments increase new questions in regards to the look of state secrecy.
The preliminary invoice was closely amended to take away the necessities for the state to disclose which researchers are buying the DNA and what they’re utilizing it for.
Privateness advocates plan to strive once more subsequent yr.
See our persevering with protection on new child blood spot privateness considerations right here.
Study extra about new child bloodspot storage and decide out of storage or analysis right here.
