More than 30 million people across the world have used a DNA testing kit. But third parties, like the police and pharmaceutical corporations, could be legally accessing this data.
In 2018, 23andMe — one of the largest consumer DNA companies — sealed a $US300 million deal with pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline, which gave the company exclusive access to the DNA database. The company used the information for Parkinson's disease research.In Australia, genetic data is protected as "sensitive information" under the Privacy Act, but that does not mean it is untouchable.
"'We're going to keep it forever. Use it for anything. Share it with anybody and add to it any other information that we can collect, in any way.'" And it is not hard to understand why. Investigation targets — suspects or unidentified remains — do not even need to have their own DNA uploaded to be identified.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Are New Zealand’s marine heatwaves a warning to the world?As seas around Aotearoa heat at an unparalleled rate, scientists are starting to understand what it might mean for marine ecosystems
Read more »
Cyclone Mocha threatens world’s largest refugee camp on Myanmar-Bangladesh borderPredicted to make landfall on Sunday, preparations are under way for a partial evacuation of the camp in Cox’s Bazar
Read more »
'Legendary' lion Loonkito, one of the world's oldest, speared by herders in KenyaA Kenyan lion believed to have been the world's oldest in the wild has died after being speared by herders when he reportedly strayed into a livestock pen.
Read more »
Football Australia expects rainbow symbol clearance at Women’s World CupJames Johnson is ‘pretty confident’ Fifa will let players wear armbands about LGBTQ+ and First Nation rights at the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand
Read more »
Florida teacher allegedly investigated for showing students film Strange WorldPurported investigation after screening of Disney animated movie comes amid governor Ron DeSantis’s attacks on educators
Read more »
Fears for fish stocks in Shark Bay's World Heritage marine ecosystemResidents of a popular fishing town in Western Australia say a government move to protect fish stocks in southern areas has left their unique marine ecosystem vulnerable.
Read more »