§ Harry CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will amend the Health and Social Care Act 2001 so that its powers cannot apply to the wider use and disclosure of genetic data without the consent of the patient; and if he will make a statement. [59221]
§ Ms BlearsSection 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2001 already provides safeguards to prevent confidential patient data being disclosed unnecessarily and the flexibility to introduce others where appropriate. The patient information advisory group will advise me, following discussion with the Human Genetics Commission, where additional safeguards are necessary.
§ Harry CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to regulate the use and disclosure of genetic data; and if he will make a statement. [59222]
§ Ms BlearsActivity in this area is already regulated by the provisions of the Data Protection Act, the Human Rights Act and common law requirements. Where common law requirements are replaced by the regulatory code introduced through section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2001, there is flexibility to introduce a wide range of restrictions if appropriate. The Government are studying the Human Genetics Commission's report, "Inside Information—Balancing Interests in the Use of Personal Genetic Data", and notes that it makes no specific recommendations in relation to the disclosure of medical genetic data.