CERTIFICATES OF CONFIDENTIALITY - A VALUABLE TOOL FOR PROTECTING GENETIC DATA

Protecting the confidentiality of genetic research data is an importan t aspect of genetic research that has been discussed in various forums . Research data must be protected to prevent discrimination and its us e in litigation. The certificate of confidentiality was created to pro tect the subjects of alcohol- and drug-abuse studies, who may be engag ing in illegal activities. As revised in 1988, the certificate protect s investigators engaging in other kinds of studies from being compelle d to reveal information about subjects. Because the certificate protec ts information that could damage a subject's financial or social stand ing or employability, it is an appropriate tool to use to maintain the confidentiality of genetic data. The Department of Health and Human S ervices issues the certificates; the procedure for applying for a cert ificate of confidentiality is presented.