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The G.I. genome: ethical implications of genome sequencing in the military

Nature Reviews Genetics volume 12, page 589 (2011)Cite this article

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The potential benefits of genomic research may be significant, but military practices surrounding the use of genetic information have invited controversy in the past. Genetic tests for congenital disorders have led to the denial of military medical benefits to some US service members, prompting other military personnel to decline genetics tests that may have concrete benefits to their health and effectiveness3. When the DoD's mandatory DNA biobank was established in 1991, its use was statutorily limited to the identification of remains. But the use of this biobank has since been broadened to allow the identification of potential suspects in some military and civilian criminal investigations4. Furthermore, DNA samples are not always destroyed when an individual leaves the military, so the repercussions of sharing genomic information may follow service members into civilian life5.

Efforts to further expand military use of genetic data for research purposes must therefore be viewed with some caution. Military personnel are an inherently vulnerable population from a research perspective; the military's framework of obedience, although essential to its function, calls into question whether informed consent is truly voluntary in these circumstances6. In the United States, submission of a DNA sample for forensic purposes is mandatory upon enlistment; because no consent was given, these samples are now ineligible for research purposes. Genomic research must therefore be strictly separated from the use of genetic information for operational purposes, such as tailoring deployment to account for congenital environmental vulnerabilities. Use of these samples could be expanded for research purposes if consent were obtained, but consent would be required from each individual with a sample currently stored in the database (or from their next of kin). It is unclear whether this process would be more or less arduous than obtaining research-specific samples.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for the Integration of Research on Genetics and Ethics, Stanford Center for Biomedical Ethics, Stanford University, 1215 Welch Road, Modular A, Stanford, 94305, California, USA

    Megan Allyse, Lauren C. Milner & Mildred K. Cho

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  1. Megan Allyse
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  2. Lauren C. Milner
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  3. Mildred K. Cho
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Correspondence to Megan Allyse, Lauren C. Milner or Mildred K. Cho.

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The authors declare no competing financial interests.

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Allyse, M., Milner, L. & Cho, M. The G.I. genome: ethical implications of genome sequencing in the military. Nat Rev Genet 12, 589 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrg3063

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