NY TIMES "When in Doubt, Spit It Out "

When in Doubt, Spit It Out

Allen Salkin

September 14, 2008  

Allen Salkin's  recent article skillfully captures the consumer laissez-faire response to personal genomics. While personal genomics companies may bill themselves as recreational and non-medical to circumvent FDA oversight, there remain numerous unappreciated privacy concerns on par with sharing personal medical records. 

Your genome describes--in exquisite detail --your propensity toward character traits and disease. And even if we can't decipher much of it now, scientific advances will eventually decode enough to substantially affect  your children's privacy –with whom you share a large chunk of your genome.

Further, recent studies suggest that the genomic anonymity relied upon by many companies to share your data may be quickly eroding, further exposing the consumer and their family's genomic data. Like the erosion of online privacy, personal genomics will eventually push society to reevaluate our notions of  privacy. Until then, personal genomics companies need to be especially vigilant in protecting our privacy