I gave the police access to my DNA—and maybe some of yours
The article discusses the author's decision to add their DNA profile to a genealogical database, FamilyTreeDNA, allowing police access to search their genes. It highlights how this process, known as forensic investigative genetic genealogy (FIGG), has helped solve numerous crimes by utilizing genetic profiles shared on websites like FamilyTree. The article delves into the ethical implications of sharing DNA for law enforcement purposes and the potential privacy concerns surrounding the use of genetic data. It also touches on the challenges and controversies surrounding the regulation and control of DNA information held by private genealogy websites. The author reflects on their participation in expanding the DNA database for crime-solving purposes and raises questions about the lack of a national consensus on the use of such big data.