Has anybody else tested DNA?
#72
I haven't but not because I'm against it- it just seems like a lot of work and I'm busy enough as it is. My friend has done it and it's time consuming. I guess I'm just not that interested. Maybe someday?
#73
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 2,247
Well, regarding concerns, privacy and as some call, paranoia there are plenty of reports that the most financially lucrative information for hackers is medical and biological information on people. In fact, some hackers have ended up changing medical records of some people leading to disastrous results. You can find these reports in a simple search.
I think privacy concerns on all sensitive data is always part of a discussion that balances the good of sharing information with how that information will be used.
I think privacy concerns on all sensitive data is always part of a discussion that balances the good of sharing information with how that information will be used.
#74
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: kansas
Posts: 6,407
I agree with Darcy that providing any private data is a balancing act--we want the ease of being able to have one doc see the tests, x-rays,etc done by another doc without us driving all over to gather things and want it to be pretty instant. but we don't want just anyone to access the info either. We want our computer to notify us when our favorite on-line fabric store has a super sale, but we don't want to inundated with ads either. On FB we want to get info from all our family & friends, look up pages that interest us--but not get the junk that might interest all those other people!
One concern I have is the use of the voice activated home computers (i.e. Alexa, Echo, etc)--basically it's turned on all the time unless you unplug it (and take out batteries if it has a backup) and it's listening to everything you say and storing that data in order to anticipate what you do/want. My son is a low voltage tech (i.e. fiber optic) and says the dang things are so easy to "hack" that he won't have one in his house. My SIL loves her's--uses to ask all sorts of stuff. Again--a balance.
One concern I have is the use of the voice activated home computers (i.e. Alexa, Echo, etc)--basically it's turned on all the time unless you unplug it (and take out batteries if it has a backup) and it's listening to everything you say and storing that data in order to anticipate what you do/want. My son is a low voltage tech (i.e. fiber optic) and says the dang things are so easy to "hack" that he won't have one in his house. My SIL loves her's--uses to ask all sorts of stuff. Again--a balance.
#75
I had mine done but didn't find out too much I didn't already know. On my father's side I'm mostly English with some Scottish and Irish. I'm having trouble finding out much on my mother's side of the family.
My DH always thought his ancestry was German but the test showed his as English and Irish mostly.
My DH always thought his ancestry was German but the test showed his as English and Irish mostly.
#76
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Midwest
Posts: 5,051
and they will not be the only pharmaceutical company to sell their DNA data base. Governments, etc will buy them too....if they have not already. Am I paranoid... no..just realistic. And people are volunteering their info...paying to do so too!
IF the government or big pharma asked you to donate your DNA fOR FREE in exchange for your DNA report ...would you?
#79
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Twin Cities, MN
Posts: 2,525
No we don't. Two of my siblings have also had their DNA done and we all have different "mixes". The easiest way I explain it is, we get 50% of our DNA from each parent. However, the 50% I get, is a different 50% mix, than my siblings got. We all were somewhat similar, in that Dad is English and Irish, and Mom is French Canadian. The two of us that most resemble Dad (Tall, fair hair and skin)were very similar. The one who resembles Mom (Short, dark hair and skin) was different. I just find the whole process fascinating
#80
Super Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Pacific NW
Posts: 9,559
and they will not be the only pharmaceutical company to sell their DNA data base. Governments, etc will buy them too....if they have not already. Am I paranoid... no..just realistic. And people are volunteering their info...paying to do so too!
IF the government or big pharma asked you to donate your DNA fOR FREE in exchange for your DNA report ...would you?
IF the government or big pharma asked you to donate your DNA fOR FREE in exchange for your DNA report ...would you?
I have long believed that the medical industry tends to lump all humans together, but what treatment works for one person does not mean it works for all. Also, diseases and conditions that affect one race more than the others could benefit from information gathered via DNA databases. Sickle cell disease, for example, disproportionately affects African-Americans. And there is growing new evidence that diabetes causes obesity, not that obesity causes diabetes, which is the current model of thinking. Imagine if DNA information could help researchers solve that epidemic. I have high hopes; diabetes runs in my husband's family and I worry about my sons. <3
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01-06-2011 11:10 AM