People Search Digest

Is the future of people search held in our very own DNA? It sounds silly, but it may very well be true with new sites like 23andme. Founded to empower individuals and develop new ways of accelerating DNA research; members of 23andMe have come together with the common belief that the combined potential of genetics and the Internet will have a significant and positive impact. How can you get in on it though? Read on.

The way 23andme works is you sign up to be sent a kit in which you are instructed to collect your own saliva. You return the kit and within 4-6 weeks, 23andMe will have decoded your DNA and broken the information down for you to read on their secure website. Although the company has very strong security features to keep information private, some people are still crying foul.

There are currently no laws placed on genetic information, and who is privy to it. What if someone sends in another person’s saliva, and poses as them? There is also the issue of Google’s massive investment in the company. Although unlikely, some people worry this partnership could lead to a future where anyone could “Google” your genetic code. Perhaps the strongest threat posed is how insurance companies might handle this type of sensitive information if given the chance.

Despite these issues and how they may play out in the future, the idea is fascinating. 23andMe believes that genetic research tools can and should be used to give us a deeper understanding of the role genes play in our individual lives. By tapping into advances in DNA analysis and offering education, tools, and expertise, 23andMe wants to help others take a bold, informed step toward self-knowledge.