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Ethics and DNA Testing: Difference between revisions
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== Ethics == | == Ethics == | ||
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 | 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. Appropriate ethical use of DNA is still being defined by society and the law. Around the world, laws and regulations like the General Data Protection Privacy Regulation (GDPR) in the European Union to take into account or attempt to regulate the ethical use of this powerful source of information. In the United States currently there is no federal legislation regulating the use of genetic data and advocating for its ethical use. States like California have enacted laws to try to fill that void and other states are following its example. However, even with existing legislation at the state level in the US, legal is not always ethical. In general, using DNA information to harm, harass, or embarrass others is not appropriate. | ||
Because genetic information by its very nature is very personal, but also shared with family, careful consideration needs to be given before agreeing to its disclosure or use. Furthermore, there may be unintended uses and consequences that this powerful type of information may bring. It is also important to remember that what may be ethically appropriate now in a specific geography, may not be so in different geographies or at another time in the future. Some of these issues are still being debated and defined by society and the law. | |||
Unlike a credit card, a username or password, genetic information is permanent and once reveled or compromised, cannot be changed or replaced. For that reason, before agreeing to anything regarding the collection, analysis and use of DNA should be carefully considered, not only for you, but also for family members. | |||
===Law Enforcement=== | ===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 in the United States 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]. | ||