The Science and Technology Committee of the House of Lords has set up a 13-member Sub-Committee to inquire into human genetic databases. The aim is to finid out about existing databases, and about any sample collections from which genetic profiles might be obtained in the future. The Sub-Committee wants to know, for example, the purposes for which databases have been (or may be) assembled, what genetic information is being collected, how it is stored and its security safeguarded, and whether patenting issues are involved. It is also asking groups involved with genetic databases who is funding them, how they see the field developing in the future and whether there are lessons to be learned from similar initiatives in other countries. Groups with a current active interest in the field are asked to submit written evidence to the Sub-Committee by 4 October 2000. This evidence will be published and examined, together with further oral evidence, at meetings scheduled for November 2000 to February 2001. In March 2001 the Committee will report to the House of Lords; this report will include recommendations to both the Government and the Human Genetics Commission, which also has a remit in this area and has welcomed the Lords' inquiry. Those wishing to participate in the inquiry can obtain further information from the Clerk of the Sub-Committee, Roger Morgan, at
morganr@parliament.uk