<p>Didn’t see a thread on this already…
[UC</a> Berkeley Asking Incoming Students For DNA - News Story - KTVU San Francisco](<a href=“http://www.ktvu.com/news/23592937/detail.html]UC”>http://www.ktvu.com/news/23592937/detail.html)
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<p>I have several concerns with this exercise. First, the genetic tests lack clinical validity, and I believe that there is a lack of evidence showing that any diet or lifestyle changes will have any measurable impact on their genomically-related health risks. Thus, the results may be misleading to those who take these tests. On the other hand, eating more leafy greens and moderating alcohol intake is probably not going to cause any harm, and I wonder if this is a sneaky (and possibly unethical) way of trying to modify unhealthy or risky health behaviors in a college student population. </p>
<p>I also wonder whether students will really view their ability to consent or refuse this test as truly voluntary. They may worry that if they decide not to submit a sample, their lack of participation may become known to their professors and somehow affect their grade. I worry that students may feel somewhat coerced into doing the testing, even if they have reservations.</p>
<p>Right. Results will be put on a “secure online database”. If it’s the same secure online database that was used for the student health services last year that got hacked (for the second time!) that not only gave up students but parents’ social security numbers, I’d rethink the idea.</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-california-berkeley/711431-uc-berkeley-hacking-leaves-160-000-risk-id-theft.html?highlight=uhs[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-california-berkeley/711431-uc-berkeley-hacking-leaves-160-000-risk-id-theft.html?highlight=uhs</a></p>
<p>Universities have proven time and time again that their computer systems aren’t very secure. I wouldn’t trust them with this data. I think we’ll start seeing genetic information as one of the next items exposed to security breeches along with what we’re used to with the SSN, DL, bank account numbers, etc.</p>
<p>It’s unlikely that genetic test results regarding the ability to metabolize lactose, absorb folic acid, and tolerate alcohol would put anyone at significant risk for discrimination or stigma if they were accidentally disclosed through a hacked database. Nonetheless, I think the concerns about the security of these data are valid and underscore the rather cavalier way that genetic testing is being presented to the students. </p>
<p>Leading professional genetics organizations recommend that genetic testing be done only when it is accompanied by adequate counseling and education about the medical and psychological implications of the results. Dr. Rine is an accomplished genetics researcher but he does not appear to have any clinical credentials. It’s not clear whether the students will receive any sort of counseling by a qualified medical professional to help them understand the implications of their test results. </p>
<p>What about the students whose genetic test results show that they do not have a low tolerance to alcohol? Without proper medical advice and counseling, they may be falsely reassured that they can drink without experiencing adverse effects… which is not substantiated by the current evidence regarding the linkages between genomic information and actual health outcomes.</p>
<p>The government’s concerned enough about the potential misuse of genetic information like this that in November California added it to the anti-discrimination laws with the ‘Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act’.</p>
<p>The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) is an important step forward in protecting persons who undergo genetic testing to learn about their predisposition to develop certain diseases, such as cancer. The legislation has not been tested yet, nor is it complete IMO, but it is definitely a step forward in the right direction.</p>