Genetics and Privacy An individual’s genetic information will not only reveal about an individual, but also about an individual's family. Unlike an individual’s medical information, genetic information does not, at any point change. Genetic information goes a step further than medical information to reveal a person’s heritage and also their connections to relatives and communities. The question here is: Where does genetic information belong in our scale of respect for and protection of personal privacy? What level of privacy restrictions, if any, should be put on genetic information? There is some genetic information, such as one’s skin colour, hair type, height, that is quite obvious and cannot and has no need to be kept secret. The big question is with genetic information which is not as apparent to others, such as the possibility of an individual developing a health disorder or …show more content…
Who should have the right to access this information? There are privacy rules that set limits on who can access our genetic information, and prescribing how they may do so. The concept of genetic privacy is split into three primary elements: genetic information as private, confidentiality of genetic information, and the possible use of genetic information to discriminate against individuals or groups. The reason why I am dividing genetic privacy into these three elements is because they are the key essentials that can be debated for or against privacy. In this essay, I will discuss the arguments for and against genetic privacy. I will present my position providing my argument against genetic privacy, specifically, to family members. There is the argument for protection of genetic information due to discrimination. I however believe the argument that the privacy paradigm and not the anti-discrimination paradigm are better suited to the