Do you own your DNA test results? | Genetic Genealogy Explained

[@deborahholman5223]

This video is another reminder that I have so much more to learn about using DNA in my genealogy! Thanks for the information!

[@FamilyHistoryFanatics]

I hear ya!

[@debraprice6309]

Thank you for sharing this information.

[@FamilyHistoryFanatics]

You're very welcome. Be sure to check the other videos I filmed with Vicki. And if you have more questions about DNA and the law or inheritance, let me know and I'll invite Vicki back.

[@adrienneabiodun8806]

DNA, laws, consent and ethics of it all are going to remain very interesting as time moves on. Something I definitely like to stay tuned on as there is so much confusion regarding who owns what and what each company does with the data.

[@FamilyHistoryFanatics]

Agreed. There will continue to be confusion and discussion on the legality of DNA and what different portions are used for and can reveal. We just all have to stay intune.

[@sylviabargas3340]

Does us "owning our DNA" mean that we own the RAW DATA files generated by the testing companies? Are the testing companies legally required to let us download the raw data files?

[@FamilyHistoryFanatics]

Yes and no. It depends on the service agreements you signed when you took the test. So, if you take a test with many companies, you own the DNA and should be able to download the RAW DNA file and dictate what the company does with your DNA. But again, look at the service agreements you signed.

[@sylviabargas3340]

@@FamilyHistoryFanatics Hmm. So only if it's in the service agreement? They're not legally obligated to give us our raw data anyway?

[@prye1]

Good information. I am with Andy in that I like to share if I think my information will further scientific research. I would hate to see my DNA used in the future to deny me health insurance or job opportunities, however.

[@FamilyHistoryFanatics]

Patricia. That's the difficult balance. Andy says that there isn't much from DNA that insurance companies would use to deny health insurance because there are better indicators of your health problems than DNA, in most cases. So, he's not worried, but we should always be aware of the unintended consequences of our choices.

[@QuentinQuatermass]

Here's a difficult question! I've successfully tested my 87 year-old paternal aunt at AncestryDNA, Living DNA and now am in the process of testing her at 23andMe and FTDNA (FF and Full MTDNA). She is the last surviving sibling of my father so of course shares much of his DNA. My aunt agreed to the tests and is interested in the reports and family trees I mail her. Unfortunately her daughter (my cousin) isn't so happy. I did talk to my cousin before testing but she wasn't interested and definitely didn't want to invest a dime. I couldn't let this opportunity to test a family elder slip away so paid for all testing and administer all my aunt's user accounts. Hopefully it won't come to a confrontation some day but it seems to me I have a legal claim to her DNA results since I paid for the testing to get the best snapshot of my father's DNA. In fact there wouldn't BE any DNA results if I hadn't paid for the testing. Of course I would share viewing the information but do not want to give up the user accounts and passwords because I actively use the accounts for DNA relative matches. I suspect this type of thing has occurred before and is sure to happen again.

[@FamilyHistoryFanatics]

If you have permission from your aunt, then it doesn't matter if your cousin wants (from a legal standpoint) unless she is the legal guardian of your aunt. Talk to your aunt about turning over her DNA results to you in her will and then it will be official when she dies (since you already have access to the accounts, there really won't be anything to do).

[@markn.reprisal9472]

A *great* clip and a great reminder to stay on top of things. I've got to do a little 'paralegal' work and find out *exactly* what a "limited license" constitutes and what control I have over it. I just got my "MyHeritage" kit. When I return it, I'm going to affix a Label reminding them, they're in temporary custody of my Gene Pool, record it, and archive it with a Notary !!!

[@FamilyHistoryFanatics]

Thanks for the comment. Did it work?