4 ms·
So DNA-data is not HIPAA yet?
by lixtra 8y ago
So DNA-data is not HIPAA yet?
- hipaaCompliant 8y agoProtected HIPAA data is whether or not you have HIV. The color of your eyes and hair isn't protected, so, at least in part, DNA isn't 100% private information. But think deeply about this. Is your shit, and snot, and piss, and menstrual blood, and fingernail clippings extremely secretive effluence? Do you put it through a paper shredder like it's your credit card info? No one incinerates all of their bodily waste. If you shave your face in a hotel, guess what. Your DNA is in the maid's hands.
- Real_S 8y agoHIPAA is miles away from protecting DNA. GDPR, however, does cover genetic data.
- nkrumm 8y agoHIPAA does not explicitly call out genetic/genomic information as one of the oft-cited 18 elements of protected information [1]. However, genetic/genomic information is considered to fall under the 18th element, and HHS states that it must be treated as PHI [2,3]. In fact, HIPAA is very broad in its definition of PHI: "The Privacy Rule protects all "individually identifiable health information" held or transmitted by a covered entity or its business associate, in any form or media, whether electronic, paper, or oral. The Privacy Rule calls this information "protected health information (PHI)." [4] Finally, it's worth pointing out that some states (e.g, WA) have enacted their own legislation that specifically calls out genetic testing and data as PHI [5]. In addition, there is the GINA act, which provides some protections as well [6] [1]: https://cphs.berkeley.edu/hipaa/hipaa18.html [2]: https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/faq/354/does-hipaa-protect-genetic-information/index.html [3]: https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/45/160.103 [4]: https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/privacy/laws-regulations/index.html [5]: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=6284&Initiative=false&Year=1999 [6]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genetic_Information_Nondiscrimination_Act