Topic: Privacy of Personal Genetic Information
Country: United Kingdom
Delegate Name: Kody Ware
School: Williamston High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All United Kingdom position papers GLIMUN 2010 committees
Following the trials of S. And Marper V. Of the United Kindom there was a large debate among European nations over an individuals rights to genetic privacy. The European Court ruled that the Retention of DNA was illegal and a violation of Article 8 (right to respect for private and family life.)The applicants, S. and Michael Marper, cases concerned the retention by the authorities of the applicants’ fingerprints, cellular samples and DNA profiles after the criminal proceedings against them were ended by an acquittal and were both discontinued. The European Court Article 8 of the Convention about the retention by the authorities of their fingerprints, cellular samples and DNA profiles after their acquittal or discharge. According to Article 8 of the human rights act
(1) Everyone has the right for his private and family life, his home and his correspondence.
(2) There shall be no interference by a public authority with the exercise of this right except such as is in accordance with the law and is necessary in a democratic society in the interests of national security, public safety or the economic well-being of the country, for the prevention of disorder or crime, for the protection of health or morals, or for the protection of the rights and freedoms of others.
The cellular samples contained much sensitive information about the individuals, including information about his or her health. In addition, samples contained a unique genetic code of great relevance to both the individuals concerned and their relatives. Given the amount of personal information contained in the cellular samples, their retention had to be regarded as interfering with the right to privacy of the two individuals
The U.K. Believes that every individual has the right to his or her own privacy. We believe that the collecting and withholding of ones personal genetic information is a violation of the Human Rights Act Article 8. The U.K. looks to set an example to the rest of the U.N. on the issue of Privacy of Personal Genetic information and we urge the U.N. to take action against the violation of this privacy.
