Child DNA samples in exchange for candies

2010/09/25 Galarraga Aiestaran, Ana - Elhuyar Zientzia

• Genetika
• Osasuna
• Etika

Minnesota is one of the largest fairs in the United States. This year was held from 26 August to 6 September and, as every year, one of the main events has been the realization of a butter sculpture. In addition to many other exhibitions and activities related to milk and livestock, Minnesota has also hosted attractions, games, music and other typical shows at these major fairs. And to enjoy them, every day more than a hundred thousand people have gathered.

In previous years, visitors have had the opportunity to perform a diabetes test and measure blood pressure. This year pediatrician Spector has offered a new opportunity to the holidays that are their parents: their children can be part of an investigation.

It is called Gopher Kids Study, that is, Urtxintxa Haur Azterketa, whose objective is to identify the key genes for the health and development of children. For this purpose, the group of Spector had planned to collect samples of 500 children between 1 and 11 years old, always with the consent of their parents.

In fact, it is not difficult to take a sample of DNA, just to collect with a stick some cells from the inside of the cheeks. In addition, the researchers had to measure the height, weight, return to the waist and blood pressure of the children and, if they wish, they could also give a drop of blood and a piece of nail, which are also very useful for obtaining data on the state of health.

In addition, children who have participated this year have requested to participate in the next two years. In this way, tickets for the markets of these two years have been free for children and parents and have also received other gifts as amusement cards.

On the other hand, researchers have determined what the samples and information obtained from them will be used in the permits that the parents must sign. As Spector explains, parents can remove their children and their samples from the research at any time and, when participants are 18, researchers will contact them to ask them if they can continue to store their samples.

Criticism of the research

As a guarantee, the way to obtain the samples has not received the approval of all. In the blog Biopolitical Times, for example, an article with a significant title has been published: Urtxintxa Txikis or akuris ? (original Goher Kids or Guinea Pigs?) It is the blog of the Center for Genetics and Society of the United States and the author has harshly criticized the research.

In the first place, the explanations contained in the sheets do not seem sufficient at all. In addition, the environment that occurs in this type of fairs has not seemed to him the most adequate to think about the consequences that can have the participation in a research of this type, nor, therefore, to sign permits.

Finally, he considers that the objective of the research is ambiguous. And, since the intention is to identify genes for the development of normal and healthy children, the author believes that there is a risk that from there it is derived that it is normal to have some characteristics and not others. Warns that this can cause discrimination.

However, this article is just an example; other similar concerns have been raised in other media specialized in science, such as the web page of the journal Nature. The debate is in the square.

Published in Gara