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  1. #1
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    A cautionary note

    I have always had grave concerns about these DNA tests from private, profit-making corporations. Security & intent must always be considerations.

    For that matter, we may need to think further about the whole genetic search thing: We all have two families - those with whom we share DNA, and those who care about us. With which family would you rather spend your time? I know my choice, and fortunately for me, in my own case there is a pretty large overlap, but it's not 100% the same. If it works for you, good, but it may not be 100% for you either.

    ...and by the way, it you come back to me with "blood is thicker than water" and an argument that you should stick always to blood relatives first, then being a priest, I even have scriptural evidence to suggest further thought on the matter.

    Meanwhile, here's a provocative thoughtful article for consideration:

    http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmont...ting-1.4632272

    Just always consider carefully what's in your personal best interests.
    Rev'd Father Bill White: Retired Parish Priest & Elementary Headmaster. Lover of God, dogs, most people, joy, tradition, humour & clarity. Legion Padre, theologian, teacher, philosopher, linguist, encourager of hearts & souls & a firm believer in dignity, decency, & duty. A proud Canadian Sinclair.

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  3. #2
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    deleted by author
    Last edited by Friday; 24th April 18 at 10:48 AM. Reason: delete

  4. #3
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    With 23andMe being in town, a local TV Station did a story about this subject. A year +/- back. Privacy, & future use of the information was discussed. No real solutions. They spoke of how the DNA testing companies use the information. Much the way Facebook, et cetera, use their User's information for profitable purposes. The 'experts' interviewed offered an interesting suggestion. If one was concerned with DNA information (only, & not finding family), & their privacy........submit your sample under a false name.

    Personal experience, we know of an individual, that was livid (I can't come up with a truly appropriate adjective) at his results. Said individual, sadly, is a very bigoted. OK, extremely, which isn't a strong enough word. His DNA came back & showed a large percentage of an Eastern Mediterranean group, which he had personal issues with. For no reason other than, just because. Needless to say, it wasn't a nice situation. Have no idea where the individual is, & am rather glad of that.
    "I can draw a mouse with a pencil, but I can't draw a pencil with a mouse"

  5. #4
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    Yup. If you can't handle all possible answers....

    ...don't ask the questions.
    Rev'd Father Bill White: Retired Parish Priest & Elementary Headmaster. Lover of God, dogs, most people, joy, tradition, humour & clarity. Legion Padre, theologian, teacher, philosopher, linguist, encourager of hearts & souls & a firm believer in dignity, decency, & duty. A proud Canadian Sinclair.

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  7. #5
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    Our line, "Be careful what you wish for"

    At the suggestion of Father Bill, I'm adding this in:

    Your opening, echoes my thoughts. The same things we have tried to instill in our brood. Being in the middle of Tech Ground Zero, we hear everyone talking about revenue coming from user/customer data, & their profiles. No joke, that was last evening, at a small family run eatery we frequent. 23andMe employees were at the table next to us. HQ is, only, 4 blocks away. Amazing the things one hears. Especially, when they are not quiet after several Margaritas, each. It appears that part of your world, the Confessional, is the only safe place for data? Any thoughts?

    We have known many, not happy with their DNA results. The one I mentioned in my reply, is only 1 of several 'dissatified customers' we've encountered. I have difficulty with people's issues. I was brought up colour blind, ethnicity blind, political affiliation blind, et cetera. Or, we feel out of step with reality. My wife, in spite of her parents, shares my views, which we've tried to pass on to the brood. Judging by their varied friends, "We Done Good". Enough of my twaddle.
    Last edited by Baeau; 24th April 18 at 05:44 PM.
    "I can draw a mouse with a pencil, but I can't draw a pencil with a mouse"

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  9. #6
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    I have advised many people to research the family tree and the DNA companies before they decide if the testing is for them. There is always the chance with these tests the results will not show an inaccurate depiction of the family history as the same genetic trait could be from several places while most of these tests show where it is most common.

    For me: I don't think it's worth the risk or the $100 or more just to find verify my Y-DNA haplogroup when other family have taken the test.

  10. #7
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    A further thought: The news you discover might also be a problem, or even in extreme cases, a tragedy for some of those you love, because part of your DNA is part of theirs too.

    Just... use caution and think first.
    Rev'd Father Bill White: Retired Parish Priest & Elementary Headmaster. Lover of God, dogs, most people, joy, tradition, humour & clarity. Legion Padre, theologian, teacher, philosopher, linguist, encourager of hearts & souls & a firm believer in dignity, decency, & duty. A proud Canadian Sinclair.

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  12. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by Father Bill View Post
    I have always had grave concerns about these DNA tests from private, profit-making corporations. Security & intent must always be considerations.
    A similar article by Peter J. Pitts ( a former Food and Drug Administration associate commissioner) ran in some U.S. papers today. The link to my local paper is behind a paywall but a bit of Googling should find it available in public ... the title here was "Worried on privacy? Don’t forget ancestry sites share info, too."

    A sample quote:
    "Testing firms seek users’ permission to share the data. But they gloss over the risks. As a result, consumers sign away their rights with little comprehension of the privacy violations and discrimination that could ensue.

    Take Invitae. Its privacy policy says it may use patients’ “de-identified” data for “general research purposes,” which may include “research collaborations with third parties” or “commercial collaborations with private companies.” The problem is that the data aren’t permanently “de-identified.” The information can easily be tied back to specific people.

    Just ask Harvard Medical School professor Latanya Sweeney. She recently identified the names of more than 40 percent of participants in a supposedly anonymous DNA study. Sweeney cross-referenced participants’ provided zip codes, birthdays, and genders with public records like voter rolls. She then was able to match people up to their DNA."
    "Simplify, and add lightness" -- Colin Chapman

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  14. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by CameronCat View Post
    A similar article by Peter J. Pitts ( a former Food and Drug

    Just ask Harvard Medical School professor Latanya Sweeney. She recently identified the names of more than 40 percent of participants in a supposedly anonymous DNA study. Sweeney cross-referenced participants’ provided zip codes, birthdays, and genders with public records like voter rolls. She then was able to match people up to their DNA."
    Our police forces, are getting good at this to, there have been several cases of drivers getting DNA tested due to an accident or for some other minor offence . Then using DNA a relative has been traced that was guilty of some much more serious offence..

    Having your DNA tested has another hazard, like looking in the mirror and realising you don't look like your"father" but the milkman (USA substitute some other regular delivery driver).

    I remember some case came up in a criminal case involving DNA in the USA, where the victim found out her Father was also her Grandfather....
    "We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give"
    Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill

  15. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by The Q View Post
    Our police forces, are getting good at this to, there have been several cases of drivers getting DNA tested due to an accident or for some other minor offence . Then using DNA a relative has been traced that was guilty of some much more serious offence..

    Having your DNA tested has another hazard, like looking in the mirror and realising you don't look like your"father" but the milkman (USA substitute some other regular delivery driver).

    I remember some case came up in a criminal case involving DNA in the USA, where the victim found out her Father was also her Grandfather....
    A Reuters new reports provided the following statement tonight:

    "Investigators in California narrowed in on the Golden State Killer suspect by using the genetic profile of a relative on ancestry websites that solicit DNA samples from users, a Sacramento County prosecutor said on Thursday."

    Just a heads up.

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