Written Question·Department of Health and Social Care·UIN 60861

DNA: Testing

Tabled: 18 June 2025

Answered: 1 July 2025

Named Day

Question

Dame Chi Onwurah

Labour — Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has made an assessment of the (a) data protection and (b) ethical implications of commercial DNA testing services used by minors without age verification.

Answer

Karin Smyth

All companies providing DNA testing kits or DNA testing services must comply with the provisions of the Human Tissue Act 2004 relating to consent. This provides the ethical framework for DNA testing. Under the Act, a person who has not attained the age of...

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