FamilyTreeDNA Admits to Sharing Genetic Data With F.B.I.

"The direct-to-consumer testing site quietly agreed last year to help federal investigators solve rapes and murders. The arrangement was not disclosed until last week."

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/04/business/family-tree-dna-fbi.html


I'd be interested in knowing who among us has used one of these genetic testing sites, and how carefully you read the privacy provisions.

Related issues:

1. Should a genetic testing company share data with health insurers? Let's say a woman has the "breast cancer gene." By having her data, a health insurer might reach out to her to encourage early detection tests. Or a health insurer might decline to insure her a all, based on her test results. Or they may decide to charge extra for the risk. What's the best outcome?

2. Should employers be allowed to require genetic testing as a condition of employment? That way they can reduce the number of folks in their workforce who need expensive health insurance.

This is once again a situation where a technological advance has been loosed on the world without any corresponding ethical rules to guide it.

[LakeCleElum]

I would assume this is all in the "fine print" of "agree with terms" buried somewhere....Not sure, I have no plans to submit my DNA, nor nothing to hide.........

[berettafan]

Adding to your list:

3- should someone stupid enough to send their dna in for testing voluntarily be afforded any legal protections?

I alaways ask my students—who are not stupid people—how many have done this. A surprisingly large number have. Amazing.

[gordner]

That is actually really surprising, you would think the participation rate would be lower among people receiving a legal education, just by awareness alone. I wonder how many don't consider at all what goes on with the data after you receive your report vs how many think about it but do not care.

[Tobra]

Welcome to 3 days ago
DNA Testing sites & Law Enforcement

[widgeon13]

Can't trust anyone! Let alone the government.

[pavulon]

Even if you read it and declined the test, your family members likely did not. Effectively, you will have been tested too.

[unclebilly]

My wife and brother her in law bought the DNA kit for their parents for Christmas. I suggest d something else, and even told my inlaws this was a bad idea.

I guess my kids can thank these idiots down the road for sharing their DNA with who knows who without consent.

F’ing retards!

Originally Posted by gordner

That is actually really surprising, you would think the participation rate would be lower among people receiving a legal education, just by awareness alone. I wonder how many don't consider at all what goes on with the data after you receive your report vs how many think about it but do not care.

They are undergrad business and MBAs.

[stealthn]

Can’t wait until they accidentally swap credentials on samples and some 90 year old grandma gets arrested for being a serial rapist...