J Korean Med Assoc.  2006 Jul;49(7):571-576. 10.5124/jkma.2006.49.7.571.

Strategies for Protecting the Privacy in Genetic Testing

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Laboratory, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Korea. chayoung@cau.ac.kr

Abstract

As genetic information is not changeable lifelong and might be used as disease predictors in a family, it requires special protection. Private genetic information is kind of individually identifiable health information, also known as 'protected health information (PHI)', which consists of individual identifier and individuals' health information. The removal of individual identifier from PHI is called 'deidentification'. For every institute that deals with PHI, the deidentification process and designation of a privacy official responsible for the implementation of privacy procedures could be urgent and practical strategies for protecting the privacy in genetic testing. However, for better patient care, deidentification would not be recommended when PHI flows among medical staffs.

Keyword

Private genetic information; Protected health information; Deidentification; Privacy official

MeSH Terms

Genetic Testing*
Humans
Medical Staff
Patient Care
Privacy*

Reference

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3. National Conference of State Legislatures [homepage on the internet]. updated 2006 June 16; cited 2006 June 21. Washington, D.C.: Available from: http://www.ncsl.org/programs/health/genetics/prt.htm.
4. Department of Health & Human Services (US) [homepage on the internet]. updated 2006 May 16; cited 2006 June 21. Washington, D.C.: Available from: http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/hipaa.
5. Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (Japan). Ethics guidelines for human genome/gene analysis research. 2001. Tokyo: The Ministry.
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