23andMe UK

I just think that I'll end up in a database that, despite any promise to the contrary now, will probably end up being used against me at some point in the future (targeted marking / denying of health insurance / whatever else). Which I really don't love.

And I hate to be cynical, but it strikes me that becoming the Google of genomes is ultimately going to make far, far more cash than selling a kit that tests for genetic problems.

Don't be evil, and all that.

Re: 23andMe UK

#5

Post by icehawk219 » Tue, Dec 02, 2014, 4:23 PM UTC

I've had one of these 23andMe kits sitting at home for a while now. I find the information they can give you very interesting and I'm curious to do it. But part of me can't overcome the fear of this data sitting around on a companies servers forever. With me having no way of knowing what they're doing with it. Maybe I'm just too paranoid.

Re: 23andMe UK

#6

Post by comrade1 » Tue, Dec 02, 2014, 4:25 PM UTC

I'm curious, have companies like this ever been subpoenaed for their data as part of a fishing expedition to catch a criminal or find the father of a child for child support, etc?

To example, there's been a few examples where they found someone through relative('s) DNA for murders in the past, but DNA was voluntarily given.

Re: 23andMe UK

#7

Post by spacefight » Tue, Dec 02, 2014, 4:36 PM UTC

iamben wrote: post #4

I absolutely love the idea of this. I just think that I'll end up in a database that, despite any promise to the contrary now, will probably end up being used against me at some point in the future (targeted marking / denying of health insurance / whatever else). Which I really don't love. And I hate to be cynical, but it strikes me that becoming the Google of genomes is ultimately going to make far, far more cash th…

>> Which I really don't love.

Me neither. Easy solution (at least for now): don't use it.

Re: 23andMe UK

#8

Post by ctz » Tue, Dec 02, 2014, 4:46 PM UTC

iamben wrote: post #4

I absolutely love the idea of this. I just think that I'll end up in a database that, despite any promise to the contrary now, will probably end up being used against me at some point in the future (targeted marking / denying of health insurance / whatever else). Which I really don't love. And I hate to be cynical, but it strikes me that becoming the Google of genomes is ultimately going to make far, far more cash th…

> denying of health insurance

All the health insurance I've ever had has had cover for pre-existing conditions, required no medical details or medical examination. As far as I can tell, insurance companies have surprisingly little interest in my health, past my age and sex.

I can't see that changing so far that they pay third parties for a genetic screen in the near future.

Re: 23andMe UK

#9

Post by post_break » Tue, Dec 02, 2014, 4:49 PM UTC

Has anyone submitted something other than a human sample? I have to wonder if anyone has submitted a bovine or dog sample as a joke.

Re: 23andMe UK

#10

Post by Luc » Tue, Dec 02, 2014, 4:54 PM UTC

iamben wrote: post #4

I absolutely love the idea of this. I just think that I'll end up in a database that, despite any promise to the contrary now, will probably end up being used against me at some point in the future (targeted marking / denying of health insurance / whatever else). Which I really don't love. And I hate to be cynical, but it strikes me that becoming the Google of genomes is ultimately going to make far, far more cash th…

No one stops you from entering a fake name. At least they didn't when I ordered some kits a couple of years ago.