How safe and secure are our DNA test results?

[zarlor]

My freedom. Or anyone else's freedom. A law enforcement agency from framing me or someone else for rape or murder. So would Family tree DNA have to give out information if they were served with a warrant? Has this ever been done? If Family tree DNA ever became the world's biggest DNA bank, might they routinely give out information to the police and or government? If served with a warrant wouldn't they have to?

That's pretty far-fetched, though. DNA results from one of these sites doesn't really use the same methods utilized by law enforcement. Getting framed by results here is even more far-fetched, especially, because it would somehow require the police to get your results from one of these sites where you publicly post your raw data (and Y-DNA and mtDNA would be fairly useless for this purpose, mind you, so we'd have to be talking autosomal/Family Finder results) then they'd have to track you down, somehow get a physical DNA sample from you that they could then plant, after the fact of course, at the crime scene or into evidence and nail you that way by then getting a warrant from FTDNA so they could legitimately claim they got your DNA results, etc... There are a lot easier ways for police to frame someone if they were so inclined and any chain of evidence involving a company like FTDNA would easily be refutable in court because it's not held to the same standards required of a proper chain of custody.

Sorry, but I just can't see that as a truly legitimate concern. It's just not really the right information for that purpose.

[darroll]

The law can go on Y-Search or these other DNA data storing sites, as anyone can.
As far as framing you, they would have to prove the source of their DNA sample.
If they were able to read the DNA results, they would come up with a surname only.
If you are still afraid of this, allow no-one access to it. (Allot on Y-Search do).
If you are wanted or don't want to be tramatized, don't test.

[twang]

The more important question I have, though, is what is it that you think you are trying to protect?

My freedom. Or anyone else's freedom. A law enforcement agency from framing me or someone else for rape or murder. So would Family tree DNA have to give out information if they were served with a warrant? Has this ever been done? If Family tree DNA ever became the world's biggest DNA bank, might they routinely give out information to the police and or government? If served with a warrant wouldn't they have to?

[FredSpringer]

What Me Worry?

I have plastered my DNA results anyplace I can enter them in manualy. It amuses me to think that anybody other than myself would have any interest in the information. I know that I will never win the lottery, but maybe I can be the 1 out of hundreds of thousands of people who the government attempts to use thier DNA results in some covert operation. Perhaps it can be used to solve the K-Mart candy bar heist of 1964. Que Sera, Que Sera.

As I await my destined misfortune, I continue to contact those who share an ancestor with me and attempt to place another piece of the jigsaw into position.

[darroll]

They take your DNA test results and sell it.
(they put it on a web site that charges to access it, I give some of our DNA for free). I'm just trying to help others find their kin and not make money off of it.

[zarlor]

I think he means there is more risk of things like identity theft when yo gave your contact and payment information when ordering your test than what anyone might be able to do with even full access to your raw DNA data. A conclusion I would agree with. So if you feel buying something is an acceptable risk, than what on earth could there be to worry about if someone were to get a hold of your DNA data?

[Jim Barrett]

Do What?

You're much more at risk in being harmed by simply purchasing a DNA test over giving out your raw data resulting from such test.

I don't have a clue what you are trying to say with this comment.

I feel that I'm in much more danger of being "harmed" when I walk down the street or ride in a vehicle or plane than when I bought my genetic test kits or when I share my results.

[darroll]

Here is a sneak preview.

[mkdexter]

Excellent reply! We won't tell...

[darroll]

I already gave you my life history. I have to keep something a secret.

[mkdexter]

Its ok - We already have your raw data and your kit number... and just look at all that stuff.. we never knew.



Ha just kidding..

[gijoeinfinity]

We have to draw the line.
No-one gets my FF raw data.
Either you match or you don't.
Share it with another site or person?, no way.
No, you can't have my kit number either.

Why not?

(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((

[darroll]

We have to draw the line.
No-one gets my FF raw data.
Either you match or you don't.
Share it with another site or person?, no way.
No, you can't have my kit number either.

[gijoeinfinity]

It's safe.
I would love to look at the DNA results of one family member.
But I can't.
Wonder why they hide the results?

It's an uneasiness borne out of unfamiliarity and ignorance. Fear of the unknown.

Quite simply, there is no such thing as privacy in today's world... especially the internet where conversations that took place a decade ago still exist on servers and are searchable by google/yahoo and the like. With all of the fear surrounding one's privacy, it makes me wonder why people even bother purchasing any DNA testing at all? You're much more at risk in being harmed by simply purchasing a DNA test over giving out your raw data resulting from such test.

[darroll]

The best test for this (medical) is your yearly blood test your doctor gives you.
This test can tell if your uncle was ugly.
I'm sure the insurance companies see this data.