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==Ethics== | == Ethics == | ||
===Law | DNA testing has opened up new opportunities for genealogists to identify possible relationships, break down brick walls in their research, and connect with lost family members. It has also enabled law enforcement to use genetic material to identify potential suspects in criminal cases. Laws regulating the ownership and use of genetic information are still being created and defined in the courts. Appropriate ethical use of DNA is still being defined by society and the law. In general, using DNA information to harm, harass, or embarrass others is not appropriate. | ||
===Law Enforcement=== | |||
Only 2 major DNA entities currently allow use by law enforcement: [https://www.familytreedna.com/my/ FamilyTree DNA] and [https://www.gedmatch.com/login1.php GedMatch]. However, both of these websites give the user the option to opt-out of law enforcement matching. This means you are still completely able to use their DNA matching and other tools without law enforcement access if you desire. <br><br> | Only 2 major DNA entities currently allow use by law enforcement: [https://www.familytreedna.com/my/ FamilyTree DNA] and [https://www.gedmatch.com/login1.php GedMatch]. However, both of these websites give the user the option to opt-out of law enforcement matching. This means you are still completely able to use their DNA matching and other tools without law enforcement access if you desire. <br><br> | ||
If you are opted-in to law enforcement matching on either site, law enforcement will only see the same information that any other of your DNA matches can see. Law enforcement will also only see that information if you are a DNA match to their kit.<br><br> | If you are opted-in to law enforcement matching on either site, law enforcement will only see the same information that any other of your DNA matches can see. Law enforcement will also only see that information if you are a DNA match to their kit.<br><br> | ||
For more details about law enforcement involvement on these two websites, see the terms of service for [https://www.gedmatch.com/tos.htm GedMatch] and [https://www.familytreedna.com/legal/law-enforcement-guide FamilyTree DNA]. | For more details about law enforcement involvement on these two websites, see the terms of service for [https://www.gedmatch.com/tos.htm GedMatch] and [https://www.familytreedna.com/legal/law-enforcement-guide FamilyTree DNA]. | ||
===Discovering | ===Discovering Biological Parents=== | ||
Finding biological parents for adoptees (or others) can be beneficial, as it can open the door to knowledge about one's medical family history and other relationships. Though this can certainly be a positive family reunion, it may not be the case for every testee. Locating one's biological parents never has a guaranteed positive outcome for either the child or the parent(s). "Everyone has a right to know about their biological family. But no one has a right to a relationship."<ref>Southard, Diahan. ''Your DNA Guide: The Book'', Your DNA Guide: 2020, page 30.</ref> If you desire a relationship with a DNA match (including newly-discovered parents) but the match does not reciprocate that desire, do not continue to pester or push them into contact with you. This has the potential to burn bridges and create negative feelings.<br><br> | Finding biological parents for adoptees (or others) can be beneficial, as it can open the door to knowledge about one's medical family history and other relationships. Though this can certainly be a positive family reunion, it may not be the case for every testee. Locating one's biological parents never has a guaranteed positive outcome for either the child or the parent(s). "Everyone has a right to know about their biological family. But no one has a right to a relationship."<ref>Southard, Diahan. ''Your DNA Guide: The Book'', Your DNA Guide: 2020, page 30.</ref> If you desire a relationship with a DNA match (including newly-discovered parents) but the match does not reciprocate that desire, do not continue to pester or push them into contact with you. This has the potential to burn bridges and create negative feelings.<br><br> | ||
Some who take DNA tests may also discover unexpected parental relationships, such as learning that the parent that raised them was not actually their biological parent. This is often difficult for the child involved, and can disrupt relationships. "...test takers should be prepared to handle scenarios in which they discover either new relatives or that their existing "relatives" aren't actually biologically related."<ref>Bettinger, Blaine T. ''The Family Tree Guide to DNA Testing and Genetic Genealogy'', Family Tree Books: 2016, page 38.</ref> | Some who take DNA tests may also discover unexpected parental relationships, such as learning that the parent that raised them was not actually their biological parent. This is often difficult for the child involved, and can disrupt relationships. "...test takers should be prepared to handle scenarios in which they discover either new relatives or that their existing "relatives" aren't actually biologically related."<ref>Bettinger, Blaine T. ''The Family Tree Guide to DNA Testing and Genetic Genealogy'', Family Tree Books: 2016, page 38.</ref> | ||
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==Good Practices== | ==Good Practices== | ||
===Respect | ===Respect Others' Privacy=== | ||
As you send messages to your DNA matches, remember to respect their wishes if they express that they would not like to be contacted. People may take DNA tests for different reasons, and some may have no interest or wish to correspond with DNA matches. Do not push or pester for responses from matches if they prefer to keep a distance. | As you send messages to your DNA matches, remember to respect their wishes if they express that they would not like to be contacted. People may take DNA tests for different reasons, and some may have no interest or wish to correspond with DNA matches. Do not push or pester for responses from matches if they prefer to keep a distance. | ||
DNA tests can also reveal occasional "skeletons in the closet" for some testees. For example, one may discover that the father who raised them is not the biological father of their sibling, indicating their sibling has an unknown biological father. These kinds of new information that can arise through DNA tests are intricate, and can be complicated to navigate. A good practice, as outlined by the National Genealogical Society, "...respect the restrictions on sharing information that arise from the rights of another... as a living private person... [and] require evidence of consent before assuming that living people are agreeable to further sharing of information about themselves."<ref>National Genealogical Society. "Guidelines for Sharing Information with Other." https://www.ngsgenealogy.org/wp-content/uploads/NGS-Guidelines/Guidelines_SharingInfo2016-FINAL-30Sep2018.pdf, accesed 25 August 2020.</ref> | DNA tests can also reveal occasional "skeletons in the closet" for some testees. For example, one may discover that the father who raised them is not the biological father of their sibling, indicating their sibling has an unknown biological father. These kinds of new information that can arise through DNA tests are intricate, and can be complicated to navigate. A good practice, as outlined by the National Genealogical Society, "...respect the restrictions on sharing information that arise from the rights of another... as a living private person... [and] require evidence of consent before assuming that living people are agreeable to further sharing of information about themselves."<ref>National Genealogical Society. "Guidelines for Sharing Information with Other." https://www.ngsgenealogy.org/wp-content/uploads/NGS-Guidelines/Guidelines_SharingInfo2016-FINAL-30Sep2018.pdf, accesed 25 August 2020.</ref> | ||
===Account | ===Account Protection=== | ||
It is not impossible for any website (including DNA website) to experience a data breech, or other event that compromises the account privacy of their users. One good practice when creating and maintaining accounts on different websites is to use very strong passwords, such as a combination of random letters, numbers, and symbols. This makes your password more difficult to guess, and thus protects your account. | It is not impossible for any website (including DNA website) to experience a data breech, or other event that compromises the account privacy of their users. One good practice when creating and maintaining accounts on different websites is to use very strong passwords, such as a combination of random letters, numbers, and symbols. This makes your password more difficult to guess, and thus protects your account. | ||