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Ancestry.com To Add DNA Test Results
Spamicles writes "For less than $200 and a cheek-swiped cotton swab, you will soon be able to add DNA results to family tree Web sites. Ancestry.com plans to launch the DNA testing product by the end of summer, offering customers the possibility of finding DNA matches in the site's 24,000 genealogical databases. By taking a simple cheek-swab test and comparing results against DNA profiles in a test-results database, virtually anyone can uncover genealogical associations unimaginable just a few years ago. Users can easily connect with and discover lost or unknown relatives within a few generations, as well as gain insight into where their families originated thousands of years ago."
The time is not far away when hospitals will routinely take a DNA sample from every newborn to test for genetic defects, and to file away as part of its lifelong medical records. Doctors will also routinely map a patient's DNA to test for genetic defects and predisposition to a myriad of conditions and diseases; to not do so will be considered malpractice.
These records will be made available to the government under whatever law prevails at that time. Under current law, the FBI only has to declare someone a 'person of interest' in the name of national security and the records must be handed over without a warrant. If that's okay with you, then do nothing. If it's not, then elect legislators and a president who will restore our basic freedoms.
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