Strategies for Protecting the Privacy in Genetic Testing

Young Joo Cha

doi:10.5124/jkma.2006.49.7.571

J Korean Med Assoc > Volume 49(7); 2006 > Article

Cha: Strategies for Protecting the Privacy in Genetic Testing

Special Issue

Genetic Testing

Journal of the Korean Medical Association

Journal of the Korean Medical Association 2006; 49(7): 571-576.

Published online: July 31, 2006

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5124/jkma.2006.49.7.571

Strategies for Protecting the Privacy in Genetic Testing

Young Joo Cha, MD

Department of Laboratory Medicine, 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.

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

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