Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Testing: Public Perspectives and Considerations Regarding Ancestry and Kinship

Catherine Hammack-Aviran, MA, JD - Vanderbilt University

ELSIconversations - April 2, 2021

Direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic testing is transforming how people view their individual, familial, and community identities and relationships, particularly when used to discover ancestral origin and biological relationships. Narratives about who one is and where one comes from often include secrets, omissions, and inaccuracies. The expansion of DTC genetic testing has dramatically advanced our ability to learn more about ancestry and kinship, creating opportunities while raising new ethical, legal, and social issues. Within the Genetic Privacy and Identity in Community Settings (GetPreCiSe) NIH Center of Excellence in Ethics Research, we conducted empirical research on public perspectives on DTC genetic testing. In six focus groups of individuals who had heard of but not undertaken such testing, we explored participants’ motivations to pursue or decline DTC genetic testing, their overall likelihood of having DTC genetic testing generally as well as to learn about their specific ancestry and kinship, respectively, and the factors they consider in making decisions. Specifically, participants discussed the meaning of ancestry information for their self-perception and identity and the potential effects of unexpected ancestry results. They also reflected on the meaning of biological relatedness in familial relationships, the potential effects of unexpected kinship results, and the possibilities of receiving and initiating contact with a previously-unknown relative. We will present key research findings illuminating the range of considerations of, and potential effects on, individuals, families, and communities of decisions relating to DTC ancestry and kinship testing and their broader implications for shaping policy about genetic privacy and identity.