Press Release from the Press Office of SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance Regarding the Management of Newborns’ DNA by Private Companies
The secretive concession of newborns’ DNA to private companies by the leadership of the Ministry of Health—through a contract signed in May 2024 and only recently brought to light by investigative journalism—is a scandal that raises extremely serious issues of bioethics, transparency, and the protection of personal data.
This specific contract, signed by Adonis Georgiadis with the U.S.-based companies RealGenics and Beginings, grants them the right to collect and utilize all DNA and genomic data of 100,000 newborns born in Greece between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2029. Remarkably, the contract stipulates that this DNA and genomic data will be the “exclusive property” of the two private companies.
The scientific community has expressed strong opposition to this issue, highlighting both the concerns surrounding the management of such sensitive data by private entities and the scientific methodology being followed.
In addition, the contract was not published on the public transparency platform “Diavgeia”, and, according to available information, it was kept secret even from the cabinet and the Prime Minister himself. Adonis Georgiadis cannot hide. We demand immediate disclosure of this scandalous contract and its immediate cancellation.
As for Mr. Mitsotakis’ so-called “executive state,” it has become abundantly clear that it is nothing more than a tasteless joke.
Regional Committee of Northern Dodecanese
SYRIZA – Progressive Alliance
20-5-2025
