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Senate committee hears bill to give Texans property rights in their DNA; experts urge broader protections
Summary
Senate Bill 315 would create a property right in an individual’s DNA sample; invited experts urged expanding coverage to genetic information and adding enforcement mechanisms. Supporters and a public witness discussed privacy and consumer protection concerns; committee left bill pending.
The Committee on Health & Human Services heard Senator Charles’ (Chair) explanation and invited testimony Wednesday on Senate Bill 315, which would recognize property rights in an individual’s DNA sample and aims to prevent unauthorized collection, analysis or commercial use of genetic material.
Chairman Coccourse (Senate) framed the bill as protecting Texans from unauthorized genetic testing and commercialization of DNA. He told the committee “the purpose of this bill is to grant Texans exclusive property rights over their DNA and genetic information to provide protections currently not granted under Texas law.”
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