Personal genetics consumers risk uncovering uncertain paternity

ecd a b d z
(Credit: US Army/Flickr)

As personal genome technology moves ahead at a breakneck pace, even the most informed consumers can be caught off-guard. George, a stem cell and reproductive biologist, signed up for 23andMe as part of a course he was teaching on the human genome. To make the lesson more interesting, he got his parents to join, too.

Through the close relative finder program on 23andMe, the family discovered Thomas, a son George’s father had conceived and given up for adoption before marrying George’s mother. (You can read George’s full story here, in this transcript of Vox’s conversations with him.)

After this discovery was made, George went back to 23andMe and talked to them. “I said, ‘I’m not sure all your customers realize that when they participate in your family finder program, what they’re participating in what are essentially really advanced paternity tests.'” The person he spoke to “didn’t really have a response” for him, he said.

Read the full, original story: Genetic testing brings families together. And sometimes tears them apart

 

{{ reviewsTotal }}{{ options.labels.singularReviewCountLabel }}
{{ reviewsTotal }}{{ options.labels.pluralReviewCountLabel }}
{{ options.labels.newReviewButton }}
{{ userData.canReview.message }}
screenshot at  pm

Are pesticide residues on food something to worry about?

In 1962, Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring drew attention to pesticides and their possible dangers to humans, birds, mammals and the ...
glp menu logo outlined

Newsletter Subscription

* indicates required
Email Lists
glp menu logo outlined

Get news on human & agricultural genetics and biotechnology delivered to your inbox.