DNA & Data Security: Is Your Spit Safe?

By Nicole Choy · Apr 2019

On January 31, 2019, Buzzfeed News reported that Family Tree DNA would allow the FBI access to its customer DNA database — the first time a private firm had agreed to voluntarily allow law enforcement access to its database.

Your DNA Is Not Just Your Own

We share genetic similarities with every one of our relatives. A 2013 study in Science revealed how easy it is to determine not only an individual's identity from a DNA sample, but the identities of their entire family. Familial DNA was what ultimately led to the capture of the Golden State Killer. This means large DNA databases have the potential to impact people who never consented to participate in them.

Legislation Has Not Kept Up

The technology and consumer demand for at-home genetic testing has advanced far more quickly than protective legislation. The FTC investigated 23andMe and Ancestry in 2018 regarding data-sharing policies. Several companies signed a "Privacy Best Practices" statement, but binding legal protections remain limited. Current GINA protections are too narrow for the breadth of applications of genetic information today.

For health-related genetic testing, the more secure alternative is to pursue testing through a certified genetic counselor and a HIPAA-compliant laboratory. Healthcare providers are legally required to protect your personal health information in ways that consumer genetic testing companies are not.