May 12, 2008

  • having a baby?

    Bush signs bill to take all newborns’ DNA

    President Bush has signed into law a bill which will see the federal government screen the DNA of all newborn babies in the U.S., a move critics have described as the first step towards the establishment of a national DNA database. It is being described as a "national contingency plan". The new law S. 1858, known as The Newborn Screening Saves Lives Act of 2007, is meant to represent preparation for any sort of "public health emergency." Sections of the bill make it clear that DNA may be used in genetic experiments and tests. Twila Brase, president of the Citizens’ Council on Health Care, says it represents the first program of populationwide genetic testing.