() Some results could affect members’ future careers.
Related GMO Impossible Burger Tests 11x Higher for Glyphosate Residue than Beyond Meat Burger
by
The Pentagon has advised military members to avoid using take-home DNA kits because of concerns about “unintended security consequences and increased risk to the joint force and mission,” according to Yahoo News, which first reported on the internal memo. The memo doesn’t specifically lay out what the exact risks are, but it appears that it’s a generalized concern over health information affecting a military member’s ability to serve.
Sent on December 20th, the memo doesn’t specifically name any companies, but 23andMe and Ancestry.com both offer popular DNA testing kits meant to provide information about potential health risks and family information.
The New York Times confirmed the veracity of the memo with a Pentagon spokesperson who reiterated the concerns of the memo, though he wasn’t much more specific about what the concerns would be, saying “The unintentional discovery of markers that may affect readiness could affect a service member’s career.”
More specifically, the NYT notes, the US military is not required to ignore genetic information in the same way that civilian employers do thanks to the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act. That could mean that if a genetic test uncovered a risk factor for a certain disease, it could affect a military members’ future career.
Most consumer-facing DNA testing companies have pledged never to share DNA data with third parties without express customer consent. They made the pledge in 2018 after a public DNA database was used to identify the Golden State Killer, further promising to try to notify users if law enforcement demanded their information (though gag orders could theoretically prevent that).
The memo also expresses some worry over the anonymity and security of DNA data, stating such tests “could expose personal and genetic information.” While companies like 23andMe argue that they keep such data secure, it’s possible the Pentagon would rather not take the risk. If nothing else, it’s not like the Pentagon would be able to vet the security measures of every company offering DNA testing services. Fox Business reports that 23andMe says a “sample provider can ask for their sample to be destroyed. And the company has several layers of security that restrict customer information within the company.”
The NYT notes that the Pentagon isn’t suggesting military personnel avoid DNA testing entirely, however. It just recommends against home testing and a Pentagon spokesperson said that they should get their DNA tests “from a licensed professional.”
Stillness in the Storm Editor: Why did we post this?
The news is important to all people because it is where we come to know new things about the world, which leads to the development of more life goals that lead to life wisdom. The news also serves as a social connection tool, as we tend to relate to those who know about and believe the things we do. With the power of an open truth-seeking mind in hand, the individual can grow wise and the collective can prosper.
– Justin
Not sure how to make sense of this? Want to learn how to discern like a pro? Read this essential guide to discernment, analysis of claims, and understanding the truth in a world of deception: 4 Key Steps of Discernment – Advanced Truth-Seeking Tools.
Stillness in the Storm Editor’s note: Did you find a spelling error or grammatical mistake? Send an email to [email protected], with the error and suggested correction, along with the headline and url. Do you think this article needs an update? Or do you just have some feedback? Send us an email at [email protected]. Thank you for reading.
Source:
If it’s a security risk for the military, it’s a personal risk as well. There are many reasons why no one should give DNA samples to a corporation or government. It can be used against you for a criminal investigation, can be used against you for biological warfare and can be used to for genetic manipulation. It’s my understanding DNA consists more than genetic information. I holds everything about you from your physical being, consciousness and spiritual development. It’s a huge matter of privacy.