New Household census requests DNA samples

 

The annual UK Household Longitudinal Study (UKHLS) commissioned by the Economic and Social Research Council, which studies the lifestyles and beliefs of people in Britain, has announced plans to ask participants to produce saliva for DNA analysis as part of the study.

Children as young as 10 years old will be part of the over 100,000 people who will be asked to supply samples which will be examined by the National Centre for Social Research allegedly for health indicators such as cholesterol levels and for genetic testing. The sample may also be stored, with the respondent’s permission, for medical tests at later dates.

The Study will replace the British Household Panel Survey which began in 1991 and followed participants over a number of years. The UKHLS lists its features as targeting a sample size of 40,000 households, an ethnic minority booster of over 3,000 households and the collection of health indicators and biomarkers. It is also the most expensive study of its kind in the world with initial costs of £15 million. Richard Clayton, a barrister for the human rights group Liberty said, 'My principal concern would be how clearly people are informed that their involvement in this study is voluntary and that, even if people do agree to take part, they are absolutely clear about the extraordinary amount of personal information that can be gleaned from such samples.'

The fieldwork will begin in 2008 and will aim to interview members of the household for at least 20 years.