It’s no secret to anyone that personalized genetics based test kits have risen in popularity in the past few years. In fact, Amazon announced that 23andMe was one of its top five purchases during this past holiday season, that’s a lot of personal genetic data being spit into tubes and shipped off for testing. But what happens to all that data once it’s been used to provide the buyer with ancestry details or personalize health and wellness plans? What really happens to your DNA after it’s tested?
Having the ability to purchase a personalized DNA test kit is extremely exciting, and most people tend to buy them before thinking through what using these kits actually entails. While we aren’t fully into a sci-fi movie future where companies have the ability to create a clone version of you using only your DNA sample, you’re still sending off the data that makes you, you. DNA is highly critical and highly personal data, and you don’t want your genetic blueprint just floating around willy-nilly. In fact, purchasing an individual DNA test kit may be the one time you actually want to read the Terms and Conditions novel before clicking agree.
As the legal system currently stands, there are no clear-cut laws that lay out the ownership of personal genetic data. That’s right. There’s nothing out there in the legal world that clearly states that your DNA is yours and only yours. And while that’s no reason to freak out and assume that one day you’ll find yourself in a scenario where your genetic data was used in some ground breaking research and you get no credit because the company claims to own your DNA, it wouldn’t be the first time that personal genetic information was legally taken from its owner. Ever heard of Henrietta Lacks, John Moore or Ted Slavin? If not, they’re definitely worth the quick google and make it more apparent that your genetic data should be legally protected. In fact, stories like these have even raised debate over whether or not genetic sequences can be patented.
Beyond genetic ownership, many major genetics based companies can actually use your sample for research purposes. While most of this research is harmless, it does raise concerns about companies sharing your genetic information with future employers, health insurance companies, educational institutions, etc. It’s not too far off to imagine a world where your DNA is used as a screening to hire you for that perfect job or deny you health coverage. Genetic testing in general has raised dozens of red flags around “genetic discrimination”.
So now that we’ve scared you into believing that we’re selling your DNA off left and right and using it to make the big bucks, let us tell you what really happens after we test your DNA. We store it. That’s it. At Genetic Direction, you are still the legal owner of your sample, we simply store it so that if you ever decide to buy another test kit with us, you can forgo the sample giving and get your results that much faster. We want to provide you with a tool to enhance your health and fitness, not give you a reason to worry about what’s happening to your DNA. We will always be up front and open about our science and refuse to contribute to a potential future where even your genetic makeup is for sale. DNA makes you who you are, we’re simply here to help you understand how to make it further benefit you.
