Genetic-testing companies have become incredibly popular for people who want to find out about their family history and DNA information. Few people know that when you send in your DNA to these companies law enforcement and pharmaceutical companies can also obtain your DNA data.
Police recently used a DNA-sharing website called GEDmatch and found a relative of the Golden State Killer who had used the service. This small data sample was enough to find and convict the rapist and murderer who had evaded law enforcement for decades.
12 million people in the US have sent their DNA to be analyzed by these DNA testing companies, like 23andMe and AncestryDNA. You spit in a tube and send it in to be analyzed and the companies use it for genetic drug research. The sites have been selling your DNA to companies like P&G and Pepto-Bismol.
Recently the pharmaceutical giant, GlaxoSmithKline, announced a $300 million deal with 23andMe. The deal will allow the drug giant to use people’s DNA data to analyze and investigate new drugs to develop.
Photo: “Know your futur for only 999$ with DNA test _DDC6285.JPG” by thierry ehrmann is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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