News Article: Bush Signs Bill to Take All Newborns' DNA

[wombjuice]

http://www.infowars.com/?p=1896

I think we will be seeing a lot more women visiting our UC forum more and more in the near future.

This is not right. I will be UCing, but I do not think anyone should be FORCED to UC simply to avoid having their newborns' DNA on file in the government and USED FOR GENETIC EXPERIEMENTS.

I can't believe I'm saying this. I can't believe it's come down to this. This is like something out of a really scary horror movie.

And even we UCers are not out of the loop. If we bring our baby to the doctor for any reason (whether that be a well-baby check, to establish a pedi, or because the baby is actually very sick!), they are required to get this DNA testing? Did I read that right?

Please someone, tell me I'm misreading. Maybe the bill will be overturned? Is there nothing that can be done?? I feel sick.

[Rockies5]

this looks like a crock to me. I can see no way this can be enforced.

[wombjuice]

I don't think it's a crock.

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s110-1858

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:S.1858:

[boyzr4us]

Frustration!

What are we coming to? Agh!
This week, I discovered that our state refund was attached for a bill from 99' & 04' from the Genetic Dept. from the state. I was in shock! One, because we were unaware of the bills, two, the ins. apparently didn't pay the state & three, we don't believe we even approved the genetic testing on the 04' baby. It's for the AFP & prenatal screening done at the hospitals. I had no idea that the prenatal screening at the hospital (the prick to the foot) was even sent for genetic testing.
I'll be spending today w/my medical file to try to get copies of what I need to prove otherwise.
Needless to say, as the days go by, there's one more think that makes me firm up our decision to UC.
I was aware that they were doing genetic testing on inmates, now. Does that mean we're all prisoners now??
The whole thing is disgusting.
Kristin & "The Boys" + 1 due 7/08 '

[sunnymw]

Oh, WOW...

I'd love to say I'm surprised... but unfortunately I'm just surprised it took this long.

Maybe this is what'll kick my conspiracy-theorist DH into the camp of "WBVisits are useless and DANGEROUS"

[April422]

The title of this thread really doesn't accurately depict what the actual bill is about though. If you use the govtrack link above it's about expanding and esuring that there is an across the board standard for newborn screening for genetic and metabolic disorders. AKA what we call the PKU test.

At this time there is no universal set of screenings that is uniform from state to state. Some states test for just a few, while others test for 30+.

As I read it, the bill will expand this program, qualify it for grant funding and help esure a uniformity of newborn screening. In a nut shell.

We declined the PKU testing with our children. I don't see anyting in the bill that makes it mandatory.

[wombjuice]

I can change the title if you think it necessary. I just copied and pasted the title from the title of the article.

I'm not sure if they're making it mandatory or not, after reading further into the bill...but from section 4:

(1) making recommendations that include the heritable disorders for which all newborns should be screened; (2) developing a model decision-matrix for newborn screening expansion; and (3) considering ways to ensure that all states attain the capacity to screen for the recommended conditions. Sets forth deadlines for the Secretary to make a decision on Advisory Committee recommendations.

What's scarier though is section 6:

1) programs to collect, analyze, and make available data on certain heritable disorders; and (2) the establishment of regional centers to conduct applied epidemiological research on effective interventions for preventing poor health outcomes resulting from such disorders and to provide information and education to the public on such effective interventions.

Doesn't that mean that they'll be keeping the DNA, that it is property of the government, to be used for "research"?

I'm not normally a conspiracy theory person, but all of this is scaring the crap out of me.

[April422]

Originally Posted by feminine_earth

I can change the title if you think it necessary. I just copied and pasted the title from the title of the article.

I'm not sure if they're making it mandatory or not, after reading further into the bill...but from section 4:

(1) making recommendations that include the heritable disorders for which all newborns should be screened; (2) developing a model decision-matrix for newborn screening expansion; and (3) considering ways to ensure that all states attain the capacity to screen for the recommended conditions. Sets forth deadlines for the Secretary to make a decision on Advisory Committee recommendations.

What's scarier though is section 6:

1) programs to collect, analyze, and make available data on certain heritable disorders; and (2) the establishment of regional centers to conduct applied epidemiological research on effective interventions for preventing poor health outcomes resulting from such disorders and to provide information and education to the public on such effective interventions.

Doesn't that mean that they'll bee keeping the DNA, that is is property of the government, to be used for "research".

I'm not normally a conspiracy theory person, but all of this is scaring the crap out of me.

I don't think it's necessary to change the title, but I do think the media is being intentionally misleading in titling the article in such a way.

The first section quoted uses the word should, which doesn't imply mandatory to me at this point.

The second reads to me that they'll collect data on such disorders and hopefully establish centers where those disorders can be further researched and develop current interventions and create new ones to help treat these disorders.

We know that these types of genetic disorders lack in research and treatment and I read this bill as an attempt to improve diagnosis, and available treatments for the genetic disorders that exist.

If we're talking the standard PKU type testing after the test there's not much left to work with so that being used for further genetic research really isn't much of a concern for me.

[wombjuice]

Most of what you say has helped me feel much better (as in, I'm not hyperventilating anymore! ), except the last part. I do have a problem with my child's DNA being stored somewhere forever and used for experimentation (or "research"), no matter what the reason. Maybe I've seen too many sci-fi movies. Maybe I just want my child to be the one to decide who gets his/her DNA. I dunno. I just don't like this at all...

[BlessedOne]

I will say that upon first glance, it does seem rather "big brotherish" but after reading through the actual bill proposal, it does not seem as controlling and scary as once thought.

I personally would rather there NOT be stuff like this.........but this is coming from a person that despises most medical tests and procedures. lol

But I personally do not feel overly threatened by it. All of my family is probably already on file anyway (outside of the one I am still pg with)....so fretting about it, will not help anything.

My question is, how is this type of stuff any different than social security and such? Providing you are a legal resident of the United States of America, you would be on file and accounted for....given a number....your social security number. The government 'knows' the legal people that exist in the states, so why does it matter if they have their medical records to? They already have some of the most vital information a person has to their name. So why does it matter if they have blood types and such on file?

Of course I am one of those people that would not mind living off of the map so to speak...but of course at the same time, you give up the benefits that come with it......such as economic stimulous payments....lol.

[tabitha]

it doesnt scare me. ever single 'scary medical requirement' i have come across has had an opt-out procedure, and i have opted out at will. vaccination, PKU, etc- i even brought my first placenta home from the hospital. they had a form ready for me to sign to opt out. i am sure this will be the same.

i am also not scared by it because i dont feel as though our family has anything that can be exploited. what are they going to do? clone us and use the clones to frame us for murders?

[AntoninBeGonin]

I'm confused as to why it's a big deal to have a sample of someone's DNA for future research. Unless, of course, it were voodoo DNA. Does anyone feel a poke while their DNA is being tested?

[wombjuice]

Originally Posted by tabitha

what are they going to do? clone us and use the clones to frame us for murders?

I know, right?? I mean, really, who would actually think of these things? :

[wombjuice]

Originally Posted by AntoninBeGonin

I'm confused as to why it's a big deal to have a sample of someone's DNA for future research. Unless, of course, it were voodoo DNA. Does anyone feel a poke while their DNA is being tested?

Oh goodness, I guess they are personal reasons. I certainly don't want my DNA being used for genetic experimentation, nor that of my future children. If my future children don't mind the government getting hold of their DNA, that's their choice. But until they can make that choice, it is my responsibility to protect them.

I dunno. I guess I'm crazy. But it's one thing being assigned a number, it's another thing having the government own rights to your personal DNA. No way. That's crossing some major personal boundaries with me.

[JuicyPakwan]

Originally Posted by AntoninBeGonin

I'm confused as to why it's a big deal to have a sample of someone's DNA for future research. Unless, of course, it were voodoo DNA. Does anyone feel a poke while their DNA is being tested?

It's a big deal to me cause it's my/my childs body. Even bad guys can't have their dna collected without a warrant. So having my kids dna on file so free and breezy with the gov makes me ill. Oh and I guess it is pertinent that I oppose cloning and embryonic research. So no thanks!!

[BlessedOne]

Originally Posted by feminine_earth

Most of what you say has helped me feel much better (as in, I'm not hyperventilating anymore! ), except the last part. I do have a problem with my child's DNA being stored somewhere forever and used for experimentation (or "research"), no matter what the reason. Maybe I've seen too many sci-fi movies. Maybe I just want my child to be the one to decide who gets his/her DNA. I dunno. I just don't like this at all...

be rest assured, they are probably not keeping a vile of your kid's blood on hand somewhere. It will just be numbers and stats of the tests performed (stored with millions of other people...not alone on a wall with flashing lights). Which I am sure the personal facts that are available are already used for research and such. That is one way they come up with populace statistics and such.
I understand, it is nice to have some sense of privacy...but lets face it....that is pretty much unheard of anymore......for several reasons.

[wombjuice]

Originally Posted by BlessedOne

be rest assured, they are probably not keeping a vile of your kid's blood on hand somewhere. It will just be numbers and stats of the tests performed (stored with millions of other people...not alone on a wall with flashing lights). Which I am sure the personal facts that are available are already used for research and such. That is one way they come up with populace statistics and such.
I understand, it is nice to have some sense of privacy...but lets face it....that is pretty much unheard of anymore......for several reasons.

I'm sorry, but there is no way I could ever rest assured knowing that my or my kids' DNA is no longer my property...regardless of how inconspicuous its holding container may be.

[grniys]

Originally Posted by feminine_earth

I'm sorry, but there is no way I could ever rest assured knowing that my or my kids' DNA is no longer my property...regardless of how inconspicuous its holding container may be.

Not to be argumentative, but you do realize your kid sheds DNA when he or she is out and about, and that the government CAN take that DNA when it's out there, right?

Let's say your child was drinking a cup of water out in public and left it. If they wanted, since it was left, they could try to get a sample of the DNA from that. So the DNA isn't so much your property since it sheds all over the place (hairs, body fluids, etc). At least that's my understanding of DNA, and I could be wrong.

As for the DNA collections, I'm a bit torn. As long as there's an opt-out I'm happy. (I'm totally against mandating anything to where parents have no control.) I don't see using DNA for genetic research as such a bad thing. It could seriously help children and adults with genetic disorders that hinder them living healthy, normal lives sometimes.

But that's just me.

[wombjuice]

Originally Posted by grniys

Not to be argumentative, but you do realize your kid sheds DNA when he or she is out and about, and that the government CAN take that DNA when it's out there, right?

Let's say your child was drinking a cup of water out in public and left it. If they wanted, since it was left, they could try to get a sample of the DNA from that. So the DNA isn't so much your property since it sheds all over the place (hairs, body fluids, etc). At least that's my understanding of DNA, and I could be wrong.

Some things are beyond my control. If someone wanted to steal my child's DNA off a drinking cup, that is theft, and I can't make someone an un-thief.

However, there are no bills being passed by the president saying that the government will be going around scraping DNA off of cups. I don't really see how that relates to making DNA tests of newborns mandatory, ya know?

It could seriously help children and adults with genetic disorders that hinder them living healthy, normal lives sometimes.

Or it could start weeding out all people with genetic disorders, or eventually preventing them from having babies (as this could pass on the genetic disorder).

I know, I know...totally crazy! But honestly, it's been done before, in many civilizations, and I see no reason to trust that it will never happen again.

Ok, I will go to the looney corner now.

[NatureMama3]

: I need to read those clearly...

very glad I generally DON'T do WBV.

my issue with the DNA is multiple, including potential exclusion from health insurance and life insurance based on genetic probabilities.