Only if you opt IN to that. You don't have to. |
You are not a geneticist. If you were, you would understand how DNA is used and how it isn't used. Secondly, if someone wants your DNA, they can get it. No one needs to assume nefarious practices. I'm calling you out on your ignorance as well as your lie. |
I'm laughing at the idea that it's "paranoid" to worry about a private company possessing your DNA information. How many of you have free credit monitoring due tot he Equifax breach. It's only a matter of time. |
I know two people this has happened to, actually. I don't know about the second one. But the first, they've met and are friendly. Nothing more. |
Awesome answer lol! |
Of course it does. By definition, they are family. You can choose to be cold or unwelcoming, but they are family. I would certainly be warm and welcoming and seek a relationship with a first cousin who was rececly found to be a member of the family. |
| Who needs this drama in their lives? |
I sorry your parents’ divorce was painful for you. But there is something deeply unusual about you feeling like a half sibling is no different than a stranger in Starbucks. My half sisters and I have a powerful genetic connection was beyond the connection I have with a stranger. My sister’s daughter looks just like my mom. Our hands look the same. We click. I dobt think blood always means connection (I have one brother who I grew up with who is an awful person and I mostly loathe) but there IS something significant to shared DNA. Huge something. To see my niece’s face when she saw hers in pictures of my mom, to know their interest in family history, to enjoy the ease of their company and love.. we are family. It’s a shame you have closed yourself off to that because of your parents’ choices. |
I am a surprise to an enormous family group who had no idea that their father had an affair (s?). I am their half sibling- adopted at birth. Some of them did a DNA tests, and many of their children have. Not one has asked who I am. A couple of 2nd cousins have inquired, but then, radio silence. I am, of course, not expecting anything from them, nor do I need anything. However, the DNA is out there, now in subsequent generations, so it is just naive to pretend it doesn't exist and that this didn't happen. We all grew up within miles of each other...I went to college with some of my siblings. We could have actually dated, etc. It's time to recognize, accept, and acknowledge. That's all. . .we don't need a Christmas gift, a relationship, or even a hug. Since the information is there- just deal with it. Secrets belong in the past and no one owns the right to keep it a secret. |
It's sad you can't bond with people unless you lived with them as a child. |
Agree. Im pretty laid back on social media, app permissions all that shit bc I think it's largely unavoidable if you want to function in society but giving my DNA info to a private company not bound by any laws is a no. Maybe paranoid but who knows what kind of nightmare scenarios this might lead to. |
Of course you can- you can bond with anyone. You don't need to share DNA with them to bond. But what makes a sibling special and unique isn't the DNA connection it is the growing up together. |
So what? What will be done with it? Worried about health insurance? If they will deny you based on DNA, it won't be because they stole your info- they won't have to. You'll have to give it up. You know all that DNA at your blood draw lab(?) -no different. You already gave that up. If you have a tumor, that will be DNA tested. Do you know how they caught the BTK killer? The police court ordered his daughter's pap smear test without her knowledge. They caught the Golden State killer by using a public DNA sharing site to get a distant match, and then worked the family tree. That means your DNA is kind of out there if you have any 1st or 2nd degree relative who did their DNA. That's how most people find relatives. Meta DNA data is used to help in disease research, medications, and general health care. Your name isn't on it. When someone needs your DNA for nefarious reasons, they arent interested in these kits. DNA research is a good thing. |
You can choose not to be connected to anyone. I did the test and received notice there were five connections for me. I chose not to allow connections so they were unaware of me and I was unable to see their info or contact them |
This is so not true. |