At-Home Tests Pose Unique Risks for Military Personnel
By know you’ve heard the dozens of reasons to avoid take-at-home DNA tests. Not only have at-home DNA kits been the cause for healthcare scams and stolen identities, but there are no laws regulating how the information can be used and sold. The bottom line is that your privacy is at significant risk by submitting your DNA to a direct-to-consumer testing agency. This video summarizes those risks:
This couldn’t be truer for military personnel! In a recent warning issued by the Pentagon, military personnel are strongly cautioned to avoid using at-home kits, even from big-name companies like Ancestry and 23andMe. These companies have been known to specifically target military personnel with discounts.
The memo states: “These [direct-to-consumer] genetic tests are largely unregulated and could expose personal and genetic information, and potentially create unintended security consequences and increased risk to the joint force and mission.” Some of these unintended consequences include military and CIA personnel who are traveling under aliases being denied safety and airline privileges.
One other major factor to consider is that military personnel must report any medical issues. Someone might simply be curious about their ancestry but instead find medical information that disqualifies them from continuing in the service. With more and more DNA kits including medical information “perks” to their tests, this scenario is becoming more common.
But with DNA Paternity Testing, we use extreme measures to keep your medical information secure. We train all our staff on all HIPAA compliance policies and ensuring that all tests and counseling remain confidential. We never sell or release your information except if needed to comply with HIPAA standards. Your results are safe with us!
DNA Paternity Testing provides rock-solid answers to important questions like parentage and ancestry. With over 2,000 centers nationwide, DNA Paternity Testing Centers is one of the largest, most affordable, networks of accredited DNA testing labs in the United States. Our price is unbeatable without sacrificing quality. We offer DNA testing for paternity, maternity and all other relationships (grandparents, siblings, aunts/uncles). Call us today at 866.944.9546 or ORDER ONLINE!
