DNA testing - genetic genealogy

[marcie dean]

Also, I am not paranoid, but when we have our Dna tested of our own choice, and if it is done by a lab, that , I think should be our own personal information, so the lab after giving it to us, should destroy any records.

And if the Government, or the Police wish to take our DNA they should take their own samples and pay for it themselves.  In the case of the police for burglaries and such like, if proven innocent these dna samples should either be given to the person whose dna it is, or destroyed in front of you including the paperwork and you should have the right to have this done, to see it done
to know its been done. 
If we have our own dna samples, it should be our right to refuse to hand them over.

[marcie dean]

From a genealogy point of view I think its a brilliant step forward in helpng us who are interested now and for our future generations to help them understand many things, aspects about themselves and their family, present and past.

But we are also doing the Governments job for them and maybe whilst we are enjoying our hobby we have to protect our rights and those of our future generations.
marcie

[DevonCruwys]

Nick

The swab kit comes in sterile packaging. Once you've done the test it goes straight into a sterile container. The lab process is all automated and the vials are put in a machine so there is no human contact or risk of contamination. It's a different matter for the police when they're extracting DNA from a scene of crime.

Marcie

The DNA tests used for genealogical purposes are completely different from those used by the police. The police use a small panel of autosomal STR markers. These markers are completely different to the Y-STR markers used in surname projects and the autosomal SNPs used for the Family Finder and Relative Finder tests. The police cannot use samples in genealogical databases. A chain of custody is required for evidence, for which the sampling has to be witnessed. A genealogical company has no proof that a sample is from the person it is claimed to be from. The police will never ask a genealogy company to hand over a DNA sample. You can always ask a commercial company to destroy your sample. Most people prefer to have their sample stored for future use, either by themselves or their descendants. The forensic DNA database is a different matter altogether. I understood that the police were supposed to be destroying samples where no charges had been brought, but they are taking their time to do so.

Debbie

[marcie dean]

Thanks Debbie,

[Redroger]

The forensic DNA database is a different matter altogether. I understood that the police were supposed to be destroying samples where no charges had been brought, but they are taking their time to do so.

Debbie

As ever, no doubt biding their time!

[Tisy]

Hi,

I don't think we should be confusing DNA tests undertaken by private companies for genealogy purposes with police and government forensic investigations.  When we do these tests we are asked whether we are prepared to share our information with other people, and we can refuse to do so.

I don't think a company such as ftDNA would compromise their business by divulging sensitive information to the Government or indeed any other body or person.

Cheers,

Tisy

[Billyblue]

Have just come across this interesting site and read through (instead of doing my voluntary 'work').
My BillyBlue was a black man transported from England to Australia 1801.  No-one knows where his origins are, but the family think it was Jamaica or, less specifically, the West Indies. 
Some other people who have documented his life think his roots are American Indian.
A few years ago, a Canadian cousin descended from Bill had his DNA tested and it showed "Deep West African roots" - which to us puts paid to the idea of him being American Indian.
With regard to an elderly father:  Billy died 1834 aged 99 according to his burial certificate.  His youngest child was born 1823 when he was 90, and the second youngest (my ggggf) was born 1815 when Billy would have been 82!  He was reputedly a 'big, strong man' 
If you're curious, I am blond and fairskinned, apparently taking after his wife "a very fair English woman"
Dawn M

[scotia123]

Hi, I,m interested in this discussion on the merits and demerits of dna testing. My family paper trail is mackenzie however i decided to have the 67 marker dna test carried out by ftdna after joining a mackenzie project This dna testing resulted in somewhat of a shock as it turns out that I am a direct male descendant of the Rose of Kilvarock line which is well documented so thus it would seem I am not a mackenzie and neither are my forebearers all though all paper trails indicate otherwise, Dna indications are that this non paternal event would seemed to have taken place some 3 to 5 hundred years ago so from taking a dna test I now have two family lines my paper trail mackenzie line and my dna rose of kilvarock line I am now checking out the matches which my dna line has thrown up among which are the family names of Rose, Ross, Mcneil. Massey none of which have figured in my paper trail at the moment

[Redroger]

I don't think a company such as ftDNA would compromise their business by divulging sensitive information to the Government or indeed any other body or person.



Tisy

Unfortunately they might haave no choice in the matter! All it needs is a paranoid incoming government and another atrocity like 9-11.