Think Before You Swab: Is Knowledge About Your Ancestry Worth The Privacy Risk?

More than 26 million people have used DNA testing kits to learn about their genetic heritage. But what you share could end up in the hands of marketers, or even law enforcement.

By Shelly BrisbinFebruary 14, 2019 2:19 pm

DNA test kits were among the hottest-selling gifts, last holiday season. A recent article in MIT Technology Review estimates that 26 million people have taken at-home tests that offer insight into their ancestry. And growing. But who controls the genetic information you hand over to companies like 23andMe, or Ancestry.com? And could it be used against you? Our tech expert Omar Gallaga says it’s a good idea to be cautious before adding your genetic information to a DNA database.

What you’ll hear in this segment:

–Why DNA test kits are so popular

–What kind of private information ends up in DNA databases

–What information have DNA testing companies given to governments