Genetics and Health

Western Australia Genetic Epidemiology Resource (WAGER) Database

by Hsien Hsien Lei, PhD on September 16th, 2005

The Western Australia Institute for Medical Research hopes to create a database that will be the “the best resource for human genetic research in the world”. Called the WA Genetic Epidemiology Resource (WAGER) database, part of the project will establish a biobank containing the DNA of every consenting adult in Western Australia as well as the Family Connections genealogy project.

Not everyone is pleased with the idea.

“Even for research, de-identifying data is a problem, especially when we are talking about small communities,” Democrats Senator Natasha Stott Despoja said. “We know from previous experience that de-identified does not always mean unidentifiable.”

And Australian Privacy Foundation vice-chair David Vaile is accusing researchers of bypassing human rights guidelines.

…researchers that used new database technologies to bypass “annoying things like telling people what they’re doing” were “fudging the question of consent, which is at the heart of privacy”.

As a researcher, having such a vast resource to study the genetic causes and distribution of diseases in the population would be tremendously valuable. So, while I understand the concerns of private citizens, I feel disappointed that scientists are often cast in such a negative light. Every scientist I know aims to do good, to better the human condition. And that’s exactly what I’m trying to do at the Genetics and Public Health Blog too.

Australian IT, September 13, 2005

Share This

Related Stories

Genetically modified (GM) foods - Australia advised benefits outweigh risks
Forensic DNA Underutilized
The Meaning of Gene
Britain’s DNA Database Undermines Civil Rights
UK’s Largest DNA Database in the World

POSTED IN: General Genetics and Health