Gov. Gavin Newsom signed SB 1099, requiring the California Department of Public Health to disclose the total number of newborn DNA blood spots stored and the number of samples sold to researchers annually. California has retained dried blood spots from every newborn since the 1980s, creating a large Newborn Genetic Biobank that can be accessed by researchers and law enforcement without parental consent. Recent amendments removed requirements to identify which researchers purchase samples and the purposes of their research, preserving secrecy about buyers and research objectives. Privacy advocates consider the measure partial progress and plan further legislative efforts.
CBS News California Investigates Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill into law Wednesday that was prompted by a decade-long CBS News California investigation into the state's newborn genetic biobank. We still won't know who is using your DNA for research, or what the research is for, but the California Department of Public Health must now reveal the number of newborn DNA samples that California is storing and the number of DNA samples that the state sells to researchers each year.
California has stored blood spots from every baby born in the state since the 1980s. Researchers and law enforcement can use those DNA samples without your knowledge or consent. If you're related to someone who was born in California since 1983, a portion of your DNA is likely in the state's massive Newborn Genetic Biobank. In response to our decade-long investigation, lawmakers introduced several bills this year that were intended to shed light on how the state is amassing and using California's newborn DNA stockpile.
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