Genetics and privacy

The science of genetics holds great promise. Ideally, the more scientists learn about the human genome and the functions of specific genes, the better they will understand what causes disease, what can prevent disease and what can cure it. But the hoped for advances in medicine that genetics may bring about will never happen if people are afraid to provide their DNA and work with scientists and doctors on the necessary research. From a privacy perspective, two things are clear: 1) people are afraid of genetic testing and 2) genetic information has been used to hurt people, rather than to help them.