The National Society of Genetic Counselors supports newborn screening laboratories' storage and use of blood spot samples, and transparent policies to regulate these activities.  Dried blood spots are valuable and can significantly contribute to lifesaving newborn screening and advance public health. They are critical for program quality assurance and improvement, new test development, and institutional review board-approved research. Blood spot samples may also be helpful if a family later elects to pursue clinical or research postmortem testing. Parents should be informed of any available options regarding blood spot storage and use, including the ability to destroy the blood spot samples after testing is completed, the ability to restrict subsequent uses of the blood spots, and/or the opportunity to consent to research use of the stored blood spots. (Adopted 2012, Revised 2017, Revised 2022)

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