I am asked to do an optional DNA test result which will show if I have genetic disorders as a part of a research project. There is a chance that the result show that I have a genetic disorder, but most likely the disorder will not need treatment as I currently don’t have symptoms and not under any kind of medication.
If they do find a genetic disorder that doesn’t need treatment, what are the implications in things like getting a private insurance (including that comes with a house loan) and medical checks when I change jobs?
by loveplaindough
1 comment
Japan has very strict privacy laws, especially relating to medical information. Read the documentation provided to you regarding this study and check who the information can be disclosed to.
The information should be on an official university/hospital/research institute letterhead, and clearly disclose who the principal investigator is, what the purpose of the research is, how your data will be treated, and have the ethics clearance number and what ethics committee approved the research. If it doesn’t have this information (or you haven’t been provided with any documentation at all) then it isn’t a legitimate study and is probably just some pervert who likes sticking needles in people for fun.
Normally in legitimate medical studies information is strictly confidential, and any published information will be anonymised. In short, there should be no way that participating in a legitimate study could come back to bite you.