The government yesterday released a set of new regulations to ban or restrict genetic tests in 20 categories amid ethical concerns over DNA tests.

According to the new guidelines, both public and private DNA laboratories will be strictly supervised in how they conduct tests in areas that could mislead the test subject.

"Illegal and unsafe DNA tests were being carried out without proper regulations," the Ministry of Health and Welfare said. "We came up with new regulations after careful review on the moral and scientific validity of DNA tests."

The new guidelines were approved by the National Bioethics Committee last week.

According to the new guidelines, DNA labs will be banned from conducting tests in 14 categories including body mass, intelligence, strength, propensity for violence, longevity, mental health, diabetes, blood pressure and asthma.

DNA tests on six categories including cancer, leukemia and Alzheimer`s will only be permitted under severe restrictions.

Tests for pure research purposes in these categories will be allowed after the research institute receives approval from the Institution Review Board.

Since last year, many private DNA testing agencies were found to be conducting illegal and expensive tests, preying upon the public`s curiosity.

Currently, there are a total of 173 DNA laboratories in Korea, many of which are unlicensed and conducting genetic tests in violation of the ethics law, the Health Ministry said.

Many of these DNA labs conducted illegal tests to determine the so-called DNA marital harmony of potential spouses, and the appearance and personality of unborn children.

Because there were no detailed regulations, the government was unable to take legal action to ban such behavior.

Although Article 25 of the ethics law states that DNA labs cannot conduct tests in categories that can mislead the individual being tested, the terms were too vague to be enforced.

Last year, a National Assembly audit on health and welfare accused the government of not doing enough to prevent the spread of such illegal tests.

Following the remark, the Health Ministry and the National Bioethics Committee opened discussions for new guidelines, in October last year.

(hayney@heraldm.com)



By Shin Hae-in