General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: This message was self-deleted by its author [View all]Freelancer
(2,107 posts)I'm descended from this monster and other North Africans that were probably fine people. I know this and am fine with it. Having my African heritage verified is NOT why I don't want a DNA test.
Here are three reasons against, just for starters:
1. DNA results are durable resellable information that can eventually wind up in the hands of governments and insurance companies to be used to determine risk factors, potentially resulting in denials, or being placed into risk "pools."
If you believe that the DNA company with the slick website is bending heaven and Earth to safeguard your info, that's just nuts. Their security password is probably DNA1234.
2. When you give your DNA you're also giving the DNA of your parents, your siblings, a big portion of the DNA of your cousins and of your children. Even if you ask, and they're cool with having their DNA "out there," You can't ask those yet to be born. They'll carry huge portions of that code in as well.
3. As DNA is researched, markers for violence, or insanity or god-knows-what may present themselves. Who wants their family to be subjected to some stigma, or placed on a watch list just because of their DNA?
Seems like a bit of a risk to take in return for a cute pie-chart with some percentages of nationalities on it, don't you think?