Police say they rarely use DNA samples taken from newborn babies to help their investigations.
The Privacy Commissioner has suggested in a submission to the Health Ministry that two million DNA samples, taken from a heel-prick test of babies born since 1969, should be destroyed or transferred to a secure authority.
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Privacy Commissioner Marie Shroff said the “dizzying” pace of technology meant the samples could be used in genetic screening for employment or criminal purposes.
New Zealand police national forensic services adviser Inspector John Walker said police rarely used the Guthrie cards.
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Source – The Dominion Post