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Archiver > GENEALOGY-DNA > 2002-12 > 1040355374


From: "Georgia K. Bopp" <>
Subject: Re: [DNA] Why have test privacy
Date: Thu, 19 Dec 2002 17:36:14 -1000
References: <141.59c54c2.2b33ba92@aol.com> <000d01c2a7cf$27b5f420$0767cd18@charterpipeline.net>


It's not easy to get participants. Many potential participants are "afraid"
of DNA for various reasons, especially the elderly. When I mention my
project to others, I often have to hear about a recent TV feature (or
article) they just saw (read) and listen to their warning about how
dangerous it is because "what if the insurance companies find out your DNA
and you lose your medical insurance." It's easier to write about that then
to explain the hard stuff. I don't get this response from our university
faculty friends, of course, but most of my potential participants do not
have PhDs.

So, I make a big deal about participant's privacy in our project. However,
we do list ancestry information.

Georgia Kinney Bopp
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~gkbopp/KINNEY/

----- Original Message -----
From: "Mark and Gary" <>
To: <>
Sent: Thursday, December 19, 2002 4:26 PM
Subject: [DNA] Why have test privacy


> Nameless DNA test results are posted on many web sites without saying how
> that DNA links to certain ancestors.
>
> Why do people want privacy? What is the downside? Why keep DNA tested
> families private. Isn't the purpose of DNA is to see who links to whom.
> Why the charade on so many web sites.
>
> I can see why some companies might want to control the DNA test so they
can
> become a fee-for-looking database, but why should we, who are tested, care
> to keep our DNA tests private?
>
> Gary

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