Genome Identification and Privacy

For this assignment, you will listen to CBC's Spark host, Nora Young, interview Dr. Peter Chow-White, an Associate Professor in the School of Communication at Simon Fraser University where  he is the Director of the Genomics and Networks Analysis (GeNA) Lab and Associate Director of the Centre for Policy Research on Science and Technology.

As you listen to the interview, take notes of important points. After you have finished, you will work with a partner to write a formal letter to your Member of Parliament in which you explain your concern about privacy issues regarding DNA testing and the possibility of discriminatory genetic profiling. Explain how genome information is different from electronic health records and the issues related to trust and privacy and the urgent need for Canada to enact legislature similar to the US Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) that is aimed at preventing discrimination for employment or insurance based on your genetic profile.

Refer to page 76 of Access to format your letter using Word and be sure that your name and your partner(s) name(s) are included at the end of the letter.

Click here to listen to the interview  
                               [Back-up link here   Start at 33:10 Finish at 42:16]
Find the name and address of your Member of Parliament here . For the purpose of this assignment, use the Constituency Address so that you can practice writing a street address in English.

For this assignment you may use any address (or make one up) for the writer's address, but it must be properly formatted in English. Obviously, if you decide to send your letter to your MP then you must use your own address.

One other link you might find interesting that is discussed in the interview is 23andMe, a commercial venture for DNA testing.

Note: Bill S-201, The Genetic Non-Discrimination Act was introduced in Parliament and was passed by the Senate on April 14, 2016. After this, it was read a second time and referred to the Standing Committee, and as of Dec. 2016 it is in the Report stage. You can read the full text of the bill here, or learn more about the bill's progress here.