1. A genetic test is a test of a person's genes with a view to the identification or diagnostics of an illness as well as to choose prophylaxis or treatment.
   Genetic data are data relating to genes, gene products and hereditary characteristics, also DNA and a description of the part thereof prepared as the result of genetic research.
2. Before a person participates in the genetic research, a doctor shall issue to the person written information on:
   1) the purpose, content and duration of the genome research project;
   2) potential risks; and
   3) rights to express freely his or her consent and revoke it at any time;
3. The consent of a person to take tissue samples thereof, preparation of the description of state of health or the genealogy, their inclusion in the genome database and utilisation in genetic research and for the purpose of statistics shall be provided in writing. The consent document of a gene donor shall be prepared in two copies, the document shall be signed and dated by the gene donor or his or her guardian or trustee and the chief processor or the authorised processor. One copy of the consent document shall be kept in the State Population Genome Register, the other copy shall be issued to the gene donor or his or her guardian or trustee.
4. The State Population Genome Register shall keep the consent document of a gene donor for 75 years after the last entry characterising the tissue samples, the description of state of health and the description of DNA.
5. The Cabinet shall determine the sample of the consent document, procedures for completion and keeping thereof.
6. A gene donor has the following rights:
   1) to become acquainted with data stored in the genome database regarding the gene donor;
   2) to prohibit the supplementation, renewal or verification of the description of his or her state of health in the genome database;
   3) to revoke his or her consent to become a gene donor at any time. In such a case the tissue samples, the description of state of health of the gene donor and any information related to the identification of a person shall be destroyed; and
   4) to restrict the research amount of his or her genome.
7. The gene donor has no rights to request a payment for the transfer of tissue samples, the preparation or research of the description of his or her state of health and genealogy, as well as for the utilisation of research results.
8. Provisions for the processing of a person’s data included in the genome database and the database of gene donors shall be regulated by the Personal Data Protection Law, insofar as not prescribed otherwise by this Law.
   Supervision over the collection of descriptions of state of health and genealogical data, coding and decoding of tissue samples, descriptions of DNA, descriptions of health of state and genealogies, processing of tissue samples, descriptions of DNA, descriptions of state of health and genealogical data shall be performed by the State Data Inspection.
9. All human beings in Latvia shall be equal before the law and the courts. Human Rights shall be realised without discrimination of any kind.
   It is prohibited to discriminate a person in relation to his or her genetic origin and any other data acquired as the result of genetic research, as well as on the basis of the fact that the person is or is not a gene donor.

Top