Government has my baby's DNA?!

[texaschickmama]

The government can kiss my DNA.

 

[alicefelldown]

MamaKate, the article says:

Genetic testing for newborns started in the 1960s with testing for diseases and conditions that, if undetected, could kill a child or cause severe problems, such as mental retardation. Since then, the screening has helped save countless newborns.

Over the years, many other tests were added to the list. Now, states mandate that newborns be tested for anywhere between 28 and 54 different conditions, and the DNA samples are stored in state labs for anywhere from three months to indefinitely, depending on the state. (To find out how long your baby's DNA is stored, see this state-by-state list.)​

 

[Wifezilla]

The government can kiss my DNA.

 

[MysticScorpio82]

Quote:
I know health reform is a TOUCHY subject (so let's not open that can of worms) but I hope most would agree that our 'caring' insurance companies can rot at the bottom of the compost heap.

Ah, thank you so much! I apperciate you linking the full article

 

[agnes_day]

i think that all hospitals test for cf in newborns..i could be wrong though.
that said, i just read about a lady is a carrier for cf along with her husband, and they had a whole slew of kids knowing this that now have cf and will suffer and die because their parents just had to have a baby, no matter what the costs.

 

[Chickie'sMoma]

did anyone happen to see the movie 'Gattica'? this is mostly the reasons to fear what can be done with our DNA. it could affect your status with the insurance co., who would take you on for work, and if you got accepted into college or not. the gov't could also decide you are going to be costing them too much in Medicaid/Medicare benefits and cut you off from being eligible if they ever decided to play that card.

here's a link in case you need a refresher or have never seen the movie before. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gattaca

just because you carry the gene for a disease does not mean you will get that later in life, it just means you might be able to pass it onto your children and it cold show up in them.

 

[CityChicker]

How funny, Chickie'sMoma. I was thinking about Gattaca as I was reading the article as well. I have to say that I am completely stunned after reading that article. I have NEVER heard anything about this and I am in college and have taken most of my sciences and genetic testing/engineering/counseling has been discussed in tremendous detail. We even watched Gattaca in one of my classes! I am really shocked at this. I asked my husband about it as well and he has never heard of it either and he is becoming a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner!

It is almost unbelievable that they are doing this. If it weren't on CNN, I never would have believed it credible. I will have to research it more and possibly do one of my papers on it in the future. Thank you for posting the article! It should be *very* frightening that, according to the article, they are even turning the samples over to outside researchers. So many people scream about things like stem cell research and yet our government is doing this.

 

[saddina]

What did you think aminocentesis was for?
I carry an abnormal 18th cromosome, my first child miscarried, my second tested for tri 18, but was inconclusive, and we didn't know untill birth if it was positive or not, 3rd child, a girl, lost pregnancy, 4th a son, delivered premature but healthy. We knew with each child there was a chance of loss, both of my sons have my healthy 18th cromosome, and a normal one from thier father. Knowing there was a chance of an abnormal situation, meant we could get the hospital team and specialists ahead of time to intervine at birth. My point? Without the testing, we would not have had the medical team in place to handle tri 18, and the crainial surgery my oldest son needed may have been missed, cusing more long-term damage.

 

[Goose and Fig]

I don't know how long it's been going on, but when you have a baby they take your placenta and do god knows what with it. Unless you are Muslim, and the hospital has to let you take it. (maybe some other exceptions too)

After I had a horrible experience with my second son's ultrasound, I refused all testing except the basics during my other pregnancies. It made for a much happier experience.

Let me just add this- when I was pregnant with my first son I was not married. Every time I went for a check-up (and there are alot as you know) they tested me for every single STD- you know- because I wasn't married! Way to make somebody hate going to the doctor! After that I had mid-wives and was treated sooo much better.

 

[saddina]

Quote:
1. anyone can request to take the placenta, some people eat it after.

2. My OB will offer married women skip to bi-annual testing and pap smears if they've been married over 5 years. I always wondered what then mean for women who opted to skip years and thiey had philandering spouses. While pregnant they checked every visit as well, in case.