Community Chat

[Plaid Pants2]

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@Noel7 wrote:

Hi september, your article says those involved DONATED  their DNA and health information for research.    

@september

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That's because when one chooses of their own free will to voluntarily spit in to the vile, you are donating your DNA for research.

[Mindy D]

I realize that these companies will have your payment information, but what's to stop a customer from using a pseudonym for the testing. Even false age information can be given. This information is being purchased for your own edification, so you can maintain some anonymity. If companies are purchasing testing results to extract data, the data will not be very accurate as there are probably many people that have already used false information.

[Sooner]

Any time you do anything through the internet, or even mail in something that companies take and THEN put into their computer databases, they can find you. Doesn't matter if you give a fake name or not.  You can and will be traced back: account numbers, ssn, other information about you can  be discovered today.

That being said, I am no way going to give up DNA willingly in today's world to commercial accounts especially.  When you give it, then they can test for whatever they want to or whatever they can profit from.  Simply take your DNA, sell your info, take the $60 billion or whatever and run.  Case closed. 

If I needed to test for medical reasons through a medical facility then I'd do it of course.  But to know where I came from?  I know.  I am a US citizen.  Enough said for me.

[151949]

You do not even have to try hard to go on the internet and get anyone's personal information like address,phone # and the like.All you need is their name.Anyone who thinks they are securely anonymous is only fooling themselves.

[Moonchilde]

Bottom line is that it's been 23andme that has been in legsl hot water for their *genetic research* practices. I have not heard a word about either Ancestry or Nat Geo's samples having been used for any purpose other than as advertised - to determine ancestry and ethnicity.

If one uses 23andme, they are (now, at least, since 23 was forced to change their advertising and disclosures) aware of how and why their DNA might be used and it's their choice. Some people have good reasons for wanting to know, and don't mind the potential for other uses. For them the information they receive is more valuable than any potential downside.

Ancestry and Nat Geo are by the very nature of their companies focused in an entirely different direction.  There is another service, FamilyDNA, that is similar and much-used and recommended.

I worked in the medical field my entire life. I worked peripherally with research, clinical trials and case teaching conferences and am well aware how much care is taken to omit any patient identifying information.

And in the end, knowing what I know, I refuse to be paranoid about the remote possibility that some future sinister society will somehow "use" my data in some creepy, harm-against-me way. And I have no problem if my data is used for greater good research, whether I know about it or not.

Those not interested in their ancestry because they're 100% American and proud of it?  Well, to each their own. I have a curiosity and intellect that leads me on a different adventure. Not to mention that the great or great-great grandparents of many of the "100% Americans" came from elsewhere. The only 100% Americans are Native Peoples. Of course - we HAVE been speaking *genetically* - haven't we?

[Tinkrbl44]

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@september wrote:

Noel, I think it just means that some people will not care that their results were used for sale to another company...some will feel that it's for the better good, and some won't like it at all.

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Well, Facebook sells information about its users all the time.   You all agreed to this when you signed up. This isn't new information.

I guess some people never read their Terms Of Use, but they have no right to complain that FB is making money off their personal information.  

[Moonchilde]

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@Tinkrbl44 wrote:

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@september wrote:

Noel, I think it just means that some people will not care that their results were used for sale to another company...some will feel that it's for the better good, and some won't like it at all.

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Well, Facebook sells information about its users all the time.   You all agreed to this when you signed up. This isn't new information.

I guess some people never read their Terms Of Use, but they have no right to complain that FB is making money off their personal information.  

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I'm fully aware, don't care and don't complain.

[Noel7]

I'm with @Moonchilde

I would only change one thing said.  I think the most accurate term for "Native Americans" is "The First Americans."  Even they came from somewhere else, mostly Siberia and across the then existing land bridge.

All of us have ancestors who came out of Africa. 

[Deanie]

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@Sooner wrote:

Any time you do anything through the internet, or even mail in something that companies take and THEN put into their computer databases, they can find you. Doesn't matter if you give a fake name or not.  You can and will be traced back: account numbers, ssn, other information about you can  be discovered today.

That being said, I am no way going to give up DNA willingly in today's world to commercial accounts especially.  When you give it, then they can test for whatever they want to or whatever they can profit from.  Simply take your DNA, sell your info, take the $60 billion or whatever and run.  Case closed. 

If I needed to test for medical reasons through a medical facility then I'd do it of course.  But to know where I came from?  I know.  I am a US citizen.  Enough said for me.

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Excellent.

[songbird]

Ancestry.com was started by Mormons. Its purpose is twofold: to make money for the church and to entice people to share genealogical records that church members can use to proxy-baptize the dead. All the dead in the USA are baptized in to the Morman church.  They are also married to Morman individuals.  Proxy-marrage.