Despite consumer unease about their DNA privacy, Congress has made no moves up to update the 2008 Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA), the lone law in this field. The law prevents employers and companies from using DNA data to deny employment or health insurance coverage, but it contains numerous loopholes. It also couldn't begin to anticipate the privacy risks as corporations quietly assemble DNA databases containing millions of personal records.
"People are concerned that their Social Security number could be stolen and made public," said Peter Pitts, a former associate commissioner for the Food and Drug Administration. "But when they do these (DNA) tests, many have little awareness their genetic identity could be compromised in the same manner. We are talking about your most sensitive, personal information."
Concern over access to people's DNA data has...