I understand the importance of data privacy; but I also understand that there are medical advancements that can be made and if the privacy of the data (aka bloodspots) is not compromised; what is the harm in utilizing the existing resources? As long as the privacy of the individual is protected to the greatest extent possible by all parties involved; there should not be a problem. It seems to me that if the state has 800,000 bloodspots and they have been locked safely away for all these years, privacy has not been compromised and the bloodspots have not been used for some deceitful purpose by a crazy scientist as Ms. Brase would lead us to believe.

I do appreciate the concern about the privacy of the stored bloodspots; however, the State of Minnesota has done its job and has kept this data private; so why now is there a concern that it might be compromised?

If there were tests being done in Minnesota from the bloodspots and it was to the benefit of the greater good – I would say hurrah. But, this is not the case and the bloodspots have been stored, locked away, contained since the beginning of their time.

I am thankful that the bloodspots are taken birth and since the bloodspots literally saved my child's life; if the stored spots could be used for medical advancements; then my friends, have at it; maybe they can save another life as well. I trust that my child's data will remain private, as it has all these years that the bloodspots have been stored.

It sounds like there are intelligent activists involved in this debate. If only these activists would utilize their wisdom to battle something even greater; how about helping the families, children and adults who test positive for one (or more) of the genetic diseases with the already existing, never-ending battle for insurance coverage. You see, the battle for insurance starts with diagnoses, it does not take the very slight possibility of a database crossing checking another database for the remote likelihood that someone's already known medical condition will be exposed. Geesh.