NEWS FLASH from VA Watchdog dot Org -- 08-02-2005

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To continue the story started in the previous VA NEWS FLASH ... Do you trust the VA with your DNA?

The main concern appears to be privacy.  Will your name be attached to this information?  Will your complete VA medical file (and military medical records) be included?  How easy will it be to tell that this is your DNA?  Here is a good article about this issue ... (click here)  This details concerns in Great Britain in 2002.  These concerns are still valid today.

Here's an example:  A young GI gets out of the service and is treated at the VA.  His DNA ends up in the Gene Bank.  As genetic research progresses scientists find genes linked to alcoholism or schizophrenia or ..........  What happens if this veteran has those genes?  Will insurance companies have access to this information and deny coverage?  Could he be denied jobs by potential employers?  You see the can of worms this can open.

Then, there's the money angle.  What if this veteran's blood holds the cure to some fatal disease?  Is he rewarded for that?  No...the VA gets the money for his information and the drug companies get richer from their "cure." 

This is a dangerous step the VA is taking and all veterans should be aware of it.

Larry Scott