Rónán Mullen (Independent) | Oireachtas source

-----that would not stop me supporting the necessary DNA testing because I believe that knowledge is good if it can do good and be used for a good purpose. It is also legitimate to be concerned about what people in power do with knowledge. If medical science can identify a newborn baby's predisposition to cancer, cystic fibrosis or some other serious condition, is it only a matter of time before it can identify such markers in unborn children? I worry about the slippery slope in that regard. As I stated, I accept that concern alone does not dislodge the legitimate claims of newborn babies and their parents for access to information that will bring comfort, improve health and facilitate good legitimate decision-making by those families. However, the more we learn about what is and will become possible in our society, the greater the responsibility on public authorities to act ethically in the light of such capabilities. I have deep concerns that we are already on the road to eugenics in this country in certain key respects. Many people in this country would oppose that with every fibre of their being. In doing so and being concerned by that, one should never oppose the need for the accessing and sharing of knowledge. There is legitimacy to the points raised by Senator Higgins regarding what is done with information pertaining to individuals in these cases, how it is handled and who gets access to it. I apologise for going a little over my time.