<h2>Human-Monkey Hybrid</h2>
In March, a team of Chinese scientists published a study detailing how they made monkeys smarter by <a href="https://futurism.com/the-byte/chinese-scientists-super-monkeys-human-brain-genes" target="_blank" rel="noopener">splicing a human gene</a> into their DNA.
The news was met by a <a href="https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/2019/4/12/18306867/china-genetics-monkey-brain-intelligence" target="_blank" rel="noopener">wave of backlash</a>. But now, one of the scientists behind the study is <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2019/04/12/asia/monkey-brain-human-china-intl/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">defending the team&#8217;s work</a> — and pledging to push forward on the controversial research.
<h2>Above Board</h2>
Chinese Academy of Sciences professor Su Bing <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2019/04/12/asia/monkey-brain-human-china-intl/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told CNN</a> that the university&#8217;s ethics board approved the plan to give monkeys human genes.
Furthermore, the study followed best scientific practices laid out by both China and the international scientific community and met international animal rights standards, according to Su.
<h2>Beneficial Studies</h2>
The scientist also laid out what he sees as the potential benefits of the research for CNN, as well as his intentions to pursue similar research in the future.
&#8220;In the long run, such basic research will also provide valuable information for the analysis of the etiology and treatment of human brain diseases (such as autism) caused by abnormal brain development,&#8221; he told the network.
&#8220;Exploring the genetic mechanism of human brain evolution is a major issue in the natural sciences,&#8221; he added, &#8220;and we will continue our exploration.&#8221;
READ MORE: <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2019/04/12/asia/monkey-brain-human-china-intl/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chinese scientists defend implanting human gene into monkeys&#8217; brains</a> [CNN]
More on the experiment: <a href="https://futurism.com/the-byte/chinese-scientists-super-monkeys-human-brain-genes" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chinese Scientists Gene-Hacked Super Smart Human-Monkey Hybrids</a>

He says the research will help in the treatment of human brain diseases.

Chinese scientist defends splicing human brain gene into monkeys

Not Monkeying Around

One of the scientists behind an experiment that gave monkeys human DNA, thereby making them smarter, has defended the controversial study to CNN.

Chinese Scientist Defends Splicing Human Brain Gene Into Monkeys

"We will continue our exploration."

<h2>Open Access</h2>
Family Tree DNA, a major consumer genetic testing company, gave the FBI access to its massive DNA database. While running genetic analysis on evidence isn&#8217;t new, Family Tree DNA is the first private company to voluntarily grant a law enforcement agency to access its data, <a href="https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/salvadorhernandez/family-tree-dna-fbi-investigative-genealogy-privacy">according to BuzzFeed News</a>.
For the company&#8217;s roughly 1 million customers who wanted to learn more about their heritage, that means the FBI can poke around in their genetic profile — and, by extension, that of their relatives.
<h2>Admin123</h2>
Ironically, Family Tree DNA was recently deemed the best DNA kit for consumer privacy by both <a href="https://health.usnews.com/wellness/articles/2019-01-07/best-dna-testing-kits">U.S. News</a> and <a href="https://www.pcworld.com/article/3317567/data-center-cloud/best-dna-kits.html">PCWorld</a>.
Perhaps in response to that discrepancy, Family Tree DNA&#8217;s founder and CEO Bennett Greenspan <a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/familytreedna--connecting-families-and-saving-lives-300788024.html?fbclid=IwAR1MAx_zyzh2gl7Tgv1RMVf8cqSTxJPlfB4RFPk54Ch_MdK-p1-7BEntRlk">published a statement</a> on Thursday arguing that cooperating and sharing information with the FBI didn&#8217;t violate the company&#8217;s privacy policies. He said that the FBI can upload and analyze crime scene data, but can&#8217;t access anyone else&#8217;s information without a warrant or subpoena.
&#8220;Working with law enforcement to process DNA samples from the scene of a violent crime or identifying an unknown victim does not change our policy never to sell or barter our customers’ private information with a third party,&#8221; Greenspan said. &#8220;Our policy remains fully intact and in force.&#8221;
<h2>One-Way Mirror</h2>
The company refused to tell BuzzFeed News how many new cases were being investigated or specifically how much the FBI was using its genetic database.
That lack of transparency, along with the surprise announcement that the FBI could use Family Tree DNA&#8217;s tools, has displeased some former employees.
&#8220;At a time people distrust science, it&#8217;s more important than ever that people understand and consent to how their information is being used,&#8221; David Mittelman, former Family Tree DNA chief scientist <a href="https://www.technologyreview.com/the-download/612875/a-consumer-dna-testing-company-has-given-the-fbi-access-to-its-two-million/">told MIT Technology Review</a>. &#8220;No one wants to wake up to learn the terms of use changed by press release.&#8221;
READ MORE: <a href="https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/salvadorhernandez/family-tree-dna-fbi-investigative-genealogy-privacy">One Of The Biggest At-Home DNA Testing Companies Is Working With The FBI</a> [Buzzfeed News]
More on genetic testing: <a href="https://futurism.com/genetic-counselor-23andme-cancer-screening">We Asked a Genetic Counselor About 23andMe’s New Cancer Test</a>

"No one wants to wake up to learn the terms of use changed by press release."

A DNA testing company gave its data to the FBI

Come On In

Family Tree DNA, recently celebrated as the most privacy-minded consumer DNA testing company, is now granting database access to the FBI.

This DNA Testing Company Gave Its Data to the FBI

Do you want cops poking around your genetic data?

It&#8217;s been more than six decades since James Watson and Francis Crick unlocked the mystery of DNA’s double-stranded helix. And in that time, humanity&#8217;s understanding of genetics has grown at an unprecedented rate, advancing to the point where anyone can unlock the mysteries of their own genetic code with a simple store-bought test. More importantly, this readily-available information can now be used to detect genetic diseases, and help individuals optimize their health by making specific lifestyle choices based on their DNA.
When it comes to choosing a commercial DNA test, there are <a href="https://futurism.com/genetic-test-dna-privacy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">many solid options</a>. But when choosing a test specifically to gain health-related data, <a href="http://www.kqzyfj.com/click-8288732-13475217" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Helix stands out from the pack</a>. What separates Helix from its competitors is that it offers an entire marketplace of customized DNA research from trusted third-party vendors. Customers <a href="http://www.kqzyfj.com/click-8288732-13475217" target="_blank" rel="noopener">simply complete an initial genetic test with Helix</a>, and then order additional, <a href="http://www.anrdoezrs.net/links/8288732/type/dlg/https://www.helix.com/collections/all" target="_blank" rel="noopener">customized tests from third-party vendors</a> who will use the same sample.
As a result, users are able to obtain specific, relevant information based on their own healthcare needs. Helix and its partners then use this information to provide customers with “actionable insights” so they can make the optimal lifestyle choices that fit their unique situations. So if you&#8217;re interested in using your own DNA to unlock the secrets of a healthier lifestyle, <a href="http://www.kqzyfj.com/click-8288732-13475217" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sign up for Helix</a>, today. And then check out <a href="http://www.anrdoezrs.net/links/8288732/type/dlg/https://www.helix.com/collections/all" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the wide array of additional health-related tests that Helix has to offer</a>, some of which we&#8217;ve listed below.
<h1><a href="http://www.anrdoezrs.net/links/8288732/type/dlg/https://www.helix.com/products/mayo-clinic-geneguide" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mayo Clinic GeneGuide™</a></h1>
<figure id="attachment_145970" style="width: 1200px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="http://www.anrdoezrs.net/links/8288732/type/dlg/https://www.helix.com/products/mayo-clinic-geneguide" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="wp-image-145970 size-full" src="https://wp-assets.futurism.com/2018/12/mayoclinic.jpg" alt="Helix Mayo Clinic Gene Guide" width="1200" height="800" /></a><figcaption class="wp-caption-text">Helix</figcaption></figure>
A team of physicians, medical geneticists, and genetic counselors from <a href="http://www.anrdoezrs.net/links/8288732/type/dlg/https://www.helix.com/products/mayo-clinic-geneguide" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the world-renowned Mayo Clinic created this product to provide the genetic health insights you need to improve your health</a>. It gives a detailed explanation of how your own DNA can affect your overall health, along with personalized insights and interactive tools for exploring information in your DNA. This includes carrier screenings, disease risk assessment, family health history, and other vital information that will optimize your health.
<h1><a href="http://www.anrdoezrs.net/links/8288732/type/dlg/https://www.helix.com/products/arivale-beat-your-genes" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Beat Your Genes: Nutrition and Diet Coaching</a></h1>
<figure id="attachment_145971" style="width: 1200px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="http://www.anrdoezrs.net/links/8288732/type/dlg/https://www.helix.com/products/arivale-beat-your-genes" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="wp-image-145971 size-full" src="https://wp-assets.futurism.com/2018/12/beat-your-genes.jpg" alt="Beat Your Genes: Nutrition and Diet Coaching" width="1200" height="800" /></a><figcaption class="wp-caption-text">Helix</figcaption></figure>
Using your genetic data as a guide, <a href="http://www.anrdoezrs.net/links/8288732/type/dlg/https://www.helix.com/products/arivale-beat-your-genes" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Beat Your Genes</a> works with a registered dietitian to outline a weight-loss strategy tailored to your specific needs. This includes one-on-one coaching via an in-depth phone consultation, and a detailed report with actionable next steps and advice based on your genetic makeup. You&#8217;ll also receive personalized nutrition insights to further assist you in meeting and maintaining your weight-loss goals.
<h1><a href="http://www.anrdoezrs.net/links/8288732/type/dlg/https://www.helix.com/products/sema4-carriercheck" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CarrierCheck</a></h1>
<figure id="attachment_145972" style="width: 1200px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="http://www.anrdoezrs.net/links/8288732/type/dlg/https://www.helix.com/products/sema4-carriercheck" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="wp-image-145972 size-full" src="https://wp-assets.futurism.com/2018/12/carrier-check.jpg" alt="" width="1200" height="800" /></a><figcaption class="wp-caption-text">Helix</figcaption></figure>
While it&#8217;s obviously important to be proactive about your own health, <a href="http://www.anrdoezrs.net/links/8288732/type/dlg/https://www.helix.com/products/sema4-carriercheck" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CarrierCheck will help you discover how your DNA may affect the health of your family and future children</a>. The test will screen your DNA for 67 different inherited conditions, and provide you with easy-to-understand results. If need be, a genetic counselor will also explain the specifics of your report, and provide access to other educational resources so you can further research any genetic conditions CarrierCheck may discover.
<h1><a href="http://www.anrdoezrs.net/links/8288732/type/dlg/https://www.helix.com/products/arivale-heart-optimizer" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Heart Optimizer: Genetics and Nutrition Coaching</a></h1>
<figure id="attachment_145973" style="width: 1200px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="http://www.anrdoezrs.net/links/8288732/type/dlg/https://www.helix.com/products/arivale-heart-optimizer"><img class="wp-image-145973 size-full" src="https://wp-assets.futurism.com/2018/12/heart-optimizer.jpg" alt="" width="1200" height="800" /></a><figcaption class="wp-caption-text">Helix</figcaption></figure>
<a href="http://www.anrdoezrs.net/links/8288732/type/dlg/https://www.helix.com/products/arivale-heart-optimizer" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Heart Optimizer combines your Helix DNA report with more than 40 different blood markers, as well as a detailed lifestyle analysis including factors such as sleep and stress</a>. This allows you to gain an in-depth understanding of how your DNA may impact your overall heart health, potentially causing issues such as a predisposition for high LDL (bad cholesterol), low HDL (good cholesterol), or high triglycerides. Based on the results of the test, a registered dietitian will also outline personal heart-health strategies that meet your specific needs.
<h1><a href="http://www.anrdoezrs.net/links/8288732/type/dlg/https://www.helix.com/products/azumio-fitness-buddy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Fitness Buddy: All-Access Premium</a></h1>
<figure id="attachment_145974" style="width: 1200px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="http://http://www.anrdoezrs.net/links/8288732/type/dlg/https://www.helix.com/products/azumio-fitness-buddy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="wp-image-145974 size-full" src="https://wp-assets.futurism.com/2018/12/fitness-budy.jpg" alt="" width="1200" height="800" /></a><figcaption class="wp-caption-text">Helix</figcaption></figure>
<a href="http://www.anrdoezrs.net/links/8288732/type/dlg/https://www.helix.com/products/azumio-fitness-buddy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Fitness Buddy: All-Access Premium assesses your genetics to determine the most effective exercises and personalized workouts for optimizing your physical fitness</a>. Are you at high risk for stress fractures and Achilles injuries? Are your muscles better suited for power activities or endurance exercises? How does your body react to caffeine and saturated fat? Fitness Buddy answers all of these questions, and many more, to give you the most complete picture possible.
<h1><a href="http://www.anrdoezrs.net/links/8288732/type/dlg/https://www.helix.com/products/myvytalics-mysleepinsights" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MySleepInsights</a></h1>
<figure id="attachment_145975" style="width: 1200px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="http://www.anrdoezrs.net/links/8288732/type/dlg/https://www.helix.com/products/myvytalics-mysleepinsights" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="wp-image-145975 size-full" src="https://wp-assets.futurism.com/2018/12/sleepinsights.jpg" alt="" width="1200" height="800" /></a><figcaption class="wp-caption-text">Helix</figcaption></figure>
Studies have shown getting adequate sleep is an important aspect of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. So for anyone interested in understanding more about their own sleeping habits, <a href="http://www.anrdoezrs.net/links/8288732/type/dlg/https://www.helix.com/products/myvytalics-mysleepinsights" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MySleepInsights might have the answer</a>. The test reveals how an individual&#8217;s genetic makeup may influence their nightly sleep patterns via traits like snoring, day napping, etc., and gives specific tips on how to optimize their sleep schedule to best match their specific needs.
As a quick Google search will tell you, the consumer genetic testing market is bigger than ever, and continues to grow every day. So there&#8217;s no shortage of brands to choose from. But as mentioned above, if you&#8217;re looking for a flexible test that offers specific insights about various aspects of your health, <a href="http://www.kqzyfj.com/click-8288732-13475217" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Helix</a> and <a href="http://www.anrdoezrs.net/links/8288732/type/dlg/https://www.helix.com/collections/all" target="_blank" rel="noopener">its variety of third-party testing providers</a> stand out from the crowd.
Futurism fans: To create this content, a non-editorial team worked with an affiliate partner. We may collect a small commission on items purchased through this page. This post does not necessarily reflect the views or the endorsement of the Futurism.com editorial staff.

Optimize your sleep and nutrition based on your own DNA profile.

These customized DNA tests can help you unlock a healthier lifestyle

Brands We Love

The Helix genetic testing marketplace offers a variety of specialized analysis to unlock the secrets of your DNA and shape a healthier lifestyle.

Helix genetic testing will help you make proactive health improvments.

DNA secrets at your fingertips. 

These Customized DNA Tests Can Help You Unlock a Healthier Lifestyle

<h2>Seeing Value</h2>
Your health data might be worth more than you think.
In July, home DNA testing company 23andMe earned itself <a href="https://futurism.com/the-byte/23andme-gsk-partnership" target="_blank" rel="noopener">$300 million</a> for agreeing to sell customers&#8217; health data to a pharmaceutical company — and it&#8217;s <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/google-calico-ancestry-dna-genetics-aging-partnership-ended-2018-7" target="_blank" rel="noopener">far from the only company</a> cutting similar lucrative deals.
But while they rake in the profits from those contracts, the people actually providing the data get nothing — and <a href="https://www.fastcompany.com/90279112/this-health-startup-lets-you-monetize-your-dna" target="_blank" rel="noopener">one health startup</a> hopes to change that.
<h2>Shares for Shares</h2>
LunaPBC is the public benefit corporation behind <a href="https://lunadna.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">LunaDNA</a>, a platform where people can upload their health data in exchange for shares in the company.
The number of shares is commensurate with the type of data uploaded. A user who uploads 20 days&#8217; worth of data from their fitness tracker, for example, will earn two shares at a value of $.07 each, while one who uploads their entire genome will earn 300 shares — the equivalent of $21.
The company even sought — and received — approval from the Securities and Exchanges Commission to leverage health data as currency in this way.
LunaDNA just started accepting data from users last week, and currently, that data is limited to files from certain personal genomics companies, such as 23andMe and AncestryDNA, or health surveys it generates itself. Eventually, though, the company plans to expand to include other data sources.
<h2>Win-Win-Win</h2>
LunaPBC will sell access to users&#8217; health data to researchers — just like 23andMe and AncestryDNA do — and if the company prospers, those with shares in it will also benefit.
“When people acquire shares they have an ownership stake in the company,&#8221; CEO Dawn Barry <a href="https://www.mobihealthnews.com/content/lunadna-offers-company-shares-exchange-health-data" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told MobiHealthNews</a>. &#8220;When value is created in the platform that value flows back to the individuals in the form of dividends.”
Not everyone will pay the same rate for access to LunaPBC&#8217;s data, though — while it plans to charge for-profit companies the market rate, it will charge non-profit researchers less.
&#8220;We don’t want any silos,&#8221; Barry said. &#8220;Information silos have been a hindrance to researchers in the past. We want any type of credible researchers to be able to come in.&#8221;
READ MORE: <a href="https://www.fastcompany.com/90279112/this-health-startup-lets-you-monetize-your-dna?" target="_blank" rel="noopener">This Health Startup Lets You Monetize Your DNA</a> [Fast Company]
More on data: <a href="https://futurism.com/home-dna-genomic-data" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Think Deleting Your Facebook Profile Is Hard? Try Deleting Your Genomic Data.</a>

Upload your DNA profile, and you'll earn shares in the company.

The SEC is letting a company treat your genetic code as currency

Dollars for Data

A new platform lets users upload their health data, such as their genome or FitBit history, in exchange for shares in the company.

The SEC Is Letting a Company Treat Your Genetic Code as Currency

LunaPBC knowns your health data is valuable.

Since <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/watson_and_crick.shtml" target="_blank" rel="noopener">James Watson and Francis Crick</a> unlocked they mystery of DNA&#8217;s double-stranded helix in the early 1950&#8217;s, human understanding of genetics has grown by leaps and bounds. Less than 50 years after winning the Nobel Prize for their work, the ideas Crick and Watson put forth lead to the completion of the Human Genome Project (in 2003), giving scientists a remarkably clear picture of how humanity is constructed.
Now, 15-years later, technology has advanced to the point where anyone can swab the inside of their mouths and, for a nominal fee, gain access to their own genetic code. But to paraphrase renowned 20th century mathematician <a href="http://jurassicpark.wikia.com/wiki/Ian_Malcolm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ian Malcolm</a>, just because we can doesn&#8217;t necessarily mean we should, at least not without first performing our due diligence.
Before you jump on the DNA bandwagon, it&#8217;s important to stop and think about how your information will be used, and what control you have over your own DNA once you send in a sample. For example, is your DNA test kept private, or can it be sold to third parties? How secure is your data from hackers? Can an insurance company gain access? How about law enforcement? Are you able to <a href="https://futurism.com/home-dna-genomic-data">have the sample destroyed?</a>
These are just a few of the questions people should be asking before they allow a third party access to their very essence. Luckily, the following companies clearly answer these privacy concerns, and more, on their websites. So while it&#8217;s up to you to research which test is right for you, the following list will give you a nice head start.
<h1>Ancestry</h1>
<figure id="attachment_140875" style="width: 1200px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img class="size-full wp-image-140875" src="https://wp-assets.futurism.com/2018/10/ancestry.jpg" alt="" width="1200" height="800" /><figcaption class="wp-caption-text">Unsplash</figcaption></figure>
Ancestry.com, the world&#8217;s largest for-profit genealogy company, turned researching family histories into a billion-dollar business. For its next act, the company is betting that consumers will be as interested in genetics as they are in genealogy. That&#8217;s why it&#8217;s now offering a detailed DNA test capable of tracing your genetic ancestry to &#8220;over 350 regions—sometimes down to a city.&#8221; Based on the results, the company is also able to offer possible ancestral migration patterns, DNA matches to living relatives, and an estimate of your potential ethnic makeup.
<a href="https://www.ancestry.com/dna/#faqSection" target="_blank" rel="noopener">As far as security is concerned</a>, Ancestry.com uses &#8220;industry standard security practices to store your DNA sample, your DNA test results, and other personal data you provide.&#8221; As an added precaution, your DNA information is stored &#8220;without your name or other common identifying information.&#8221; You also retain ownership of your DNA data, and can chose to have it deleted at any time.
<h1><a href="http://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-8288732-12917102">23andMe</a></h1>
<figure id="attachment_140874" style="width: 1200px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="http://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-8288732-12917102"><img class="size-full wp-image-140874" src="https://wp-assets.futurism.com/2018/10/23andme.jpg" alt="" width="1200" height="800" /></a><figcaption class="wp-caption-text">Unsplash</figcaption></figure>
Based in Mountain View CA, <a href="http://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-8288732-12917102" target="_blank" rel="noopener">23andMe</a> takes its name from the 23 pairs of chromosomes found in a typical human cell. And like our previous entry, it offers a detailed genetic ancestry test which can trace your roots back to a 150 different geographic regions. But the company also offers a variety of reports that examine your health – including your risk for certain diseases, your carrier status for inherited conditions, and an analysis of other genetic traits.
In order to keep your information private, <a href="https://www.23andme.com/privacy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">23andMe assigns</a> a randomized customer identification number to your DNA sample and stores it in a &#8220;physically separate computing environment&#8221; from your personal information (name, credit card, etc.). You also control whether or not your saliva sample is placed in storage after the test is conducted, and whether your account is visible to other 23andMe members. The company will not share your results with third parties without your consent, including insurance companies or employers. It will also not share your information with the government unless legally compelled to do so with a valid subpoena, warrant or order.
<h1><a href="http://www.kqzyfj.com/click-8288732-13475217">Helix</a></h1>
<figure id="attachment_140873" style="width: 1200px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="http://www.kqzyfj.com/click-8288732-13475217"><img class="size-full wp-image-140873" src="https://wp-assets.futurism.com/2018/10/helix.jpg" alt="" width="1200" height="800" /></a><figcaption class="wp-caption-text">Unsplash</figcaption></figure>
Our next entry is <a href="http://www.kqzyfj.com/click-8288732-13475217" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Helix</a>, which also offers genealogical and health-related insights from genetic testing. However, what separates this service from competitors is the fact that it offers an &#8220;entire marketplace of products&#8221; of customized DNA research via third party vendors. As a result, users are able to &#8220;unlock more DNA,&#8221; which results in 100-times more data than your average at-home test. Helix and its partners then use this information to provide &#8220;more actionable insights,&#8221; such as how you can best optimize your workouts to lose weight, or &#8220;which wines taste best on [your] palate.&#8221;
All of Helix&#8217;s third-party vendors are required to &#8220;<a href="https://www.helix.com/pages/privacy-and-policy-highlights" target="_blank" rel="noopener">meet the standards that [Helix] established</a> when it comes to privacy, security, control, and experience.&#8221; The company also claims it will not &#8220;sell or share your DNA data without your permission.&#8221; That said, according to the Helix website, each partner sets its own policies for its products, so it&#8217;s up to users to do their own research before purchasing.
And as far as legal matters are concerned, &#8220;Helix evaluates law enforcement and other legal requests for data on a case-by-case basis.&#8221; If a request from law enforcement is made, the company&#8217;s policy is to notify the user &#8220;unless [they] are legally prohibited from doing so.&#8221;
<h1><a href="http://shrsl.com/18qa8">Embark</a></h1>
<figure id="attachment_140871" style="width: 1200px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="http://shrsl.com/18qa8"><img class="size-full wp-image-140871" src="https://wp-assets.futurism.com/2018/10/embark.jpg" alt="" width="1200" height="800" /></a><figcaption class="wp-caption-text">Unsplash</figcaption></figure>
Last but not least, we have <a href="http://shrsl.com/18qa8" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Embark</a>, a company that uses one of humanity&#8217;s greatest achievements to offer insights on man&#8217;s best friend. The test looks at 200,000 genetic markers to determine your dog&#8217;s breed, traits, and other useful information. More than a simple vanity project for purebred breeders, Embark allows everyday pet owners information on nearly 165 genetic health conditions, so that preventive measures can be taken. This could lead to smaller vet bills down the road, and more importantly, a longer, happier life for your four-legged friend.
And if your dog&#8217;s genetic privacy is something you value, you&#8217;ll be happy to know that <a href="https://embarkvet.com/frequently-asked-questions/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Embark will never share identifying information without your explicit permission</a> (although the dog&#8217;s consent isn&#8217;t mentioned). And while the company does share aggregated, non-identifying information for research purposes, you are able to opt out.
Based on the popularity of genetic testing kits, there&#8217;s no shortage of people interested in using DNA to gain insights into their health and family history. In fact, the consumer genetic testing market is expected to grow into a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/small-business-network/2017/may/25/dna-testing-we-created-the-market-for-what-we-do-living-dna-dnafit-geneu" target="_blank" rel="noopener">$340 million industry by 2022</a>. But as mentioned above, trusting a third party with your DNA should not be a matter of faith. It&#8217;s important to understand how your DNA will be used, and who will have access. And while it&#8217;s ultimately up to you to decide what service to use, if any, the companies listed above have clearly stated their commitment to maintaining the privacy of their users and remaining transparent about how they use your DNA.
Futurism fans: To create this content, a non-editorial team worked with an affiliate partner. We may collect a small commission on items purchased through this page. This post does not necessarily reflect the views or the endorsement of the Futurism.com editorial staff.

Four genetic tests that will unlock your DNA while respecting your privacy

These DNA testing companies can tell you a lot about your genetic history. But what's the best way to make sure your DNA info will stay private?

Four Genetic Tests That Will Unlock Your DNA While Respecting Your Privacy

Keep control of your chromosomes.

<h2>Pill Pusher</h2>
Smart pills can already <a href="https://futurism.com/big-brother-fda-approves-worlds-first-electronic-smart-pill" target="_blank" rel="noopener">track whether you&#8217;re taking your medication</a> and <a href="https://futurism.com/the-byte/poopbots-edible-tech-gastrable" target="_blank" rel="noopener">help regulate your bowel movements</a>.
The next evolution: programmable smart pills that tailor medical treatments in response to signals from individual cells.
The preprint server arXiv recently published <a href="https://arxiv.org/pdf/1810.02883.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a paper</a> describing work that could lead to the creation of such pills — and they have to potential to forever change what it means to be human.
<h2>Molecular Computation</h2>
On Wednesday, MIT Tech Review ran a <a href="https://www.technologyreview.com/s/612303/dna-based-molecular-computing-will-pave-the-way-for-programmable-pills/?utm_medium=social&amp;utm_source=twitter.com&amp;utm_campaign=owned_social" target="_blank" rel="noopener">compelling overview</a> of the research. According to that report, researchers from the University of Chicago figured out a way to trick strands of DNA into behaving like switches — a development in a field known as molecular computation.
The hope is that we can combine these switches into logic gates — the same basic computational building blocks that power the electronics in your computer or smartphone.
Eventually, the Chicago researchers imagine, we could  incorporate those DNA-powered computers into pills, programming them to keep watch on our bodies and release medications in response to signs of distress from individual cells.
<h2>Body Load</h2>
This research is interesting on a number of levels.
Not only could it lead to incredible medical treatments, it also conjures up visions of a future in which tiny computers reside alongside the natural cells and microflora in the human body — a development that could call into question what exactly it means to be human.
READ MORE: <a href="https://www.technologyreview.com/s/612303/dna-based-molecular-computing-will-pave-the-way-for-programmable-pills/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">DNA-Based Molecular Computing Will Pave the Way for Programmable Pills</a> [MIT Tech Review]
More on smart pills: <a href="https://futurism.com/the-byte/poopbots-edible-tech-gastrable" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Edible Tech Is Finally Useful, Is Here to Help You Poop</a>

The line between medicine and our own cells is blurring.

Get ready for pills programmed to respond to your cells' individual needs

Smart Meds

A new paper describes work that could be used for smart pills that would use molecular computation to treat signals from individual cells.

Get Ready for Pills Programmed to Respond to Your Cells’ Individual Needs

New research uses strands of DNA to create logic gates. 

<h2>DNA Panoptican</h2>
Earlier this year, police cracked a decades-old murder case by plugging the Golden State Killer&#8217;s DNA <a href="https://futurism.com/golden-state-killer-dna">into a genealogy site</a> that included his relatives&#8217; genetic samples.
It turns out that wasn&#8217;t some statistical fluke.
It&#8217;s not clear what percentage of people have already uploaded their genetic data to genealogy sites, but right now, you could use these sites to identify a third cousin or closer relative of about 60 percent of people of European descent.
That&#8217;s according to a <a href="http://science.sciencemag.org/content/early/2018/10/10/science.aau4832/tab-pdf">paper</a> published Thursday in the journal Nature. In fact, the paper continued, if just 2 percent of people upload their data to these sites — a milestone we could hit <a href="https://gizmodo.com/ancestry-sites-could-soon-expose-nearly-anyones-identit-1829685818" target="_blank" rel="noopener">within three years</a> — you&#8217;ll be able to use them to find a third cousin or closer relative of virtually anyone.
<h2>GATTACA</h2>
Researcher Yaniv Erlich <a href="https://gizmodo.com/ancestry-sites-could-soon-expose-nearly-anyones-identit-1829685818">told Gizmodo</a> that the Golden State Killer case motivated him to conduct this study. The ingenuity of the detective work impressed him, but he also found himself worrying about the way people could misuse the idea.
&#8220;Of course, there’s some good news,&#8221; he told Gizmodo. &#8220;If someone did something wrong out there, then [law enforcement] is going to be able to catch them. But down the road, as things continue to evolve, there could be people who use this for illegitimate reasons.&#8221;
So while genealogy sites might be a boon for police forces, the rest of us might just have to accept the fact that any creep with access to our DNA could track down our family members with relative ease.
READ MORE: <a href="https://gizmodo.com/ancestry-sites-could-soon-expose-nearly-anyones-identit-1829685818">Ancestry Sites Could Soon Expose Nearly Anyone&#8217;s Identity, Researchers Say</a> [Gizmodo]
More on genealogy websites: <a href="https://futurism.com/golden-state-killer-dna">A Genealogy Website Led to a Suspected Killer’s Arrest. Here’s What We Know.</a>

A creep who scraped your gum off the sidewalk wouldn't have much trouble finding you on ancestry sites.

Creeps will soon be able to find almost anyone on genealogy sites

In My DNA

Just 2 percent of adults would have to upload DNA samples to genealogy sites before we could use them to find a relative of virtually anyone.

Creeps Will Soon Be Able to Find Almost Anyone on Genealogy Sites

Welcome to the genetic panopticon.

Did you know some of IKEA&#8217;s biodegradable packaging is made out of mushrooms? No? Well would you eat lab-grown meat out of the stuff? That&#8217;s what one startup wants to happen.
In case we haven&#8217;t completely ruined your appetite, get ready for a new fruit to be on your plate: scientists are working to domesticate groundcherries — a sweet fruit that&#8217;s in the tomato family — using cutting-edge gene-editing techniques.
Read on to find out what else has been captivating minds in science over the last seven days.
<a href="https://futurism.com/the-byte/technosignatures-nasa-alien-life">NASA Is Looking For New Ways to Detect Alien Technology.</a> Congress is pushing NASA to ramp up the search for &#8220;technosignatures&#8221; — radio signals or microwaves coming from deep in space.
<a href="http://wordpress.futurism.com/crispr-groundcherries/">Scientists Used CRISPR to Domesticate This Delicate Fruit.</a> Scientists are working to domesticate the notoriously-delicate groundcherry in hopes that it becomes the next big cash crop.
<a href="http://wordpress.futurism.com/nonprofit-human-knowledge-dna-moon/">A Nonprofit Plans to Store Human Knowledge in DNA and Store It on the Moon.</a> The Arch Foundation plans to encode important books and crowdsourced images into synthetic DNA molecules and store them on the Moon.
<a href="http://wordpress.futurism.com/first-moon-outside-solar-system/">Researchers Think They&#8217;ve Discovered the First Moon Outside Our Solar System.</a> Columbia researchers have found new evidence of the first moon outside the solar system by using the Hubble and Kepler space telescopes.
<a href="http://wordpress.futurism.com/ikea-biodegradable-packaging-tasty-lab-grown-meat/">The Stuff in IKEA&#8217;s Biodegradable Packaging Will Now Make Tasty Lab-Grown Meats.</a> This startup says the same mushroom roots it uses to protect flat-packed tables and chairs could be used to create the next generation of delicious lab-grown meats.
<a href="http://wordpress.futurism.com/astronaut-health-radiation-guts/">Traveling to Mars Could Cause Life-Threatening Damage to Astronauts&#8217; Guts, Says Study.</a> To study the effects of deep space radiation exposure on astronaut health, researchers exposed mice to comparable levels of radiation. In short: the radiation caused substantial damage to their guts.
More on This Week in Science: <a href="https://futurism.com/week-science-sept-22-28">This Week in Science: Sep 22 &#8211; Sep 28</a>

Scientists want to make lab-grown-meat out of IKEA packaging.

This week in science: Sept 29 - Oct 5

Science Madness

What happens to astronauts' guts when they travel to Mars? Researchers find the first moon outside of our system. Read on to find out more.

This Week in Science: Sept 29 – Oct 5

CRISPR Fruit, DNA on the moon, lab-grown mushroom burgers, and more.

<h2>SONG OF MY PEOPLE</h2>
Family tree database Ancestry announced this weekend that it&#8217;s teaming up with music streaming service Spotify for an unusual offering. Provide the results of your AncestryDNA test, and Spotify will provide a &#8220;mix of music, inspired by your origins,&#8221; according to a <a href="https://www.ancestry.com/cs/spotify">press release</a>.
It&#8217;s a cute idea. But handing over your genetic information for a non-medical reason is pretty darn sketchy.
<h2>IN MY GENES</h2>
I admit, I&#8217;m not a big fan of Ancestry&#8217;s. The site once <a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/future_tense/2015/04/myfamily_shuttered_ancestry_com_deleted_10_years_of_my_family_history.html">deleted about a decade</a> of my family&#8217;s correspondence — along with many other families&#8217; data — when it shuttered an old product a few years ago.
But, hey, don&#8217;t listen to me. Listen to SPIN writer Rob Arcand, who <a href="https://www.spin.com/2018/09/ancestry-dna-genetic-data-spotify-playlist-partnership/">implored readers</a> not to give up their genetic data for the promotion. He cited a <a href="https://thinkprogress.org/ancestry-com-takes-dna-ownership-rights-from-customers-and-their-relatives-dbafeed02b9e/">ThinkProgress investigation</a> that found that Ancestry&#8217;s terms of service stipulate that the company claims ownership to customers&#8217; DNA in perpetuity.
The privacy concerns with DNA kits like Ancestry or 23andMe aren&#8217;t theoretical. Earlier this year, police caught a serial killer who was active in the 1970s and 80s (a good thing) by plugging his DNA into <a href="https://www.sacbee.com/latest-news/article209908769.html">genealogical sites like Ancestry</a> (which many <a href="https://www.vox.com/2018/4/27/17290288/golden-state-killer-joseph-james-deangelo-dna-profile-match">saw as setting a dangerous precedent</a>).
Worse yet, the results just don&#8217;t seem to be worth it. Jezebel writer Ashley Reese <a href="https://themuse.jezebel.com/i-hate-my-dna-now-1829232938">tried the playlist feature out</a> and found most of the results to be dull and generic.
&#8220;Protecting our customers’ privacy is Ancestry’s highest priority,&#8221; said Ancestry spokesperson Gina Spatafore in a statement to Futurism. &#8220;Spotify does not have access to DNA data of any Ancestry customers. Customers can manually input regions, into the playlist generator on Spotify and then a custom playlist is created with songs by artists from the various regions and across a wide variety of musical genres. All information is manually input by customers and the experience is completely optional.&#8221;
<h2>HERITAGE</h2>
There&#8217;s also the question of whether what it means to trust a tech company like Spotify to recommend songs based on people&#8217;s genetic origins, which online observers worried could be culturally ham-fisted.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
literally no one asked for this.
everyone’s playlist is gonna have “Africa” by Toto and it’s gonna be lame asf
&mdash; Blogavelli the Don (@blogavelli) <a href="https://twitter.com/blogavelli/status/1044243862460485634?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 24, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
the online dna grift has always made me really uncomfortable but of course once you add spotify it just turns into straight-up 19th-century racial determinism <a href="https://t.co/KG7RWfpkws">https://t.co/KG7RWfpkws</a>
&mdash; Jack Hamilton (@jack_hamilton) <a href="https://twitter.com/jack_hamilton/status/1044259853932396544?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 24, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
The bottom line: Society is still working out the norms or laws around what companies can do with your DNA — so for now, maybe you should hold off on sharing yours.
READ MORE: If you could listen to your DNA, what would it sound like? [<a href="https://www.ancestry.com/cs/spotify">Ancestry</a>]
More on paralysis: <a href="https://futurism.com/home-genetics-test-dog-human/">Some Genetic Tests Apparently Can’t Tell If You’re Dog Or Human</a>

Health & Medicine

SONG OF MY PEOPLE Family tree database Ancestry announced this weekend that it’s teaming up with music streaming service Spotify for an unusual offering. Provide the results of your AncestryDNA test, and Spotify will provide a “mix of music, inspired by your origins,” according to a press release. It’s a cute idea. But handing over your […]

Spotify Will Make a Playlist Based on Your DNA

This is a collaboration we could do without.

THE NEXT STEP. In 2003, researchers sequenced the human genome for the first time, writing out all 3 billion of the DNA base pairs that dictate every aspect of our makeup. Now, a new team of researchers has figured out a way to create a 3D image of this valuable roadmap to human biology.
They published their <a href="http://jcb.rupress.org/cgi/doi/10.1083/jcb.201807108?PR" target="_blank" rel="noopener">research</a> on Tuesday in the Journal of Cell Biology.
A BETTER MAP. After we sequenced the human genome, we had a (very) long list of letters. We knew about the double helix, and that every human cell contained this entire sequence of DNA in more or less this particular order, but we didn&#8217;t know much about the three-dimensional location of the DNA pairs — that is, where the various pairs in the double helix were located in relationship to the cell’s nuclear structures. That&#8217;s important, because it can tell us a lot about their function and activity.
That&#8217;s where this new study from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign comes into play.
Those researchers developed a mapping technique they call tyramide signal amplification sequencing (TSA-Seq). Tyramide is a molecule that, once it&#8217;s released from a special enzyme placed around particular nuclear structures, tags any DNA it happens to be around. The closer a gene is to those particular structures, the stronger the signal from the tyramide label — the same way your clothes get more damp if you&#8217;re standing closer to a sprinkler.
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION. The researchers tested TSA-Seq in leukemia cells in the lab (don&#8217;t worry, the cells weren&#8217;t alive). They figured out that genes closer to one kind of nuclear structure (nuclear speckles) were often more active than those closer to another (nuclear lamina).
We don&#8217;t actually know what nuclear speckles do, but we might be better equipped to figure that out now that we know they seem to play some sort of role in genetic activity.
&#8220;The logic of this nuclear organization remains to be determined, but our model would suggest that chromosome movements of just a few hundred nanometers could have substantial functional significance,&#8221; researcher Andrew Belmont <a href="https://www.eurekalert.org/emb_releases/2018-08/rup-rd082218.php" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said in a news release</a>.
For now, the team plans to continue developing its TSA-Seq technique. Eventually, the researchers hope to map the 3D positions of genes in other types of cells, focusing on how the positions might change as the cells age or become diseased. The more we learn about the structure of the human genome, the better equipped we&#8217;ll be to eventually <a href="https://futurism.com/now-that-scientists-can-read-the-human-genome-they-want-to-write-one/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">write a genome</a> of our own.
READ MORE: <a href="https://www.eurekalert.org/emb_releases/2018-08/rup-rd082218.php" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Researchers Develop &#8216;Cytological Ruler&#8217; to Build 3D Map of Human Genome</a> [EurekAlert]
More on the human genome: <a href="https://futurism.com/now-that-scientists-can-read-the-human-genome-they-want-to-write-one/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Now That Scientists Can Read the Human Genome, They Want to Write One</a>

It's a really important step to understanding the subtle ways genes actually work.

15 years ago, we sequenced the human genome. Now we can 3D map it.

Hard Science

Researchers have figured out a way to map the human genome in three dimensions, using enzymes to calculate a gene's distance from a cell's nucleus.

/Dna

Not Monkeying Around

Chinese Scientist Defends Splicing Human Brain Gene Into Monkeys

Come On In

This DNA Testing Company Gave Its Data to the FBI

Brands We Love

These Customized DNA Tests Can Help You Unlock a Healthier Lifestyle

Dollars for Data

The SEC Is Letting a Company Treat Your Genetic Code as Currency

Brands We Love

Four Genetic Tests That Will Unlock Your DNA While Respecting Your Privacy

Smart Meds

Get Ready for Pills Programmed to Respond to Your Cells’ Individual Needs

In My DNA

Creeps Will Soon Be Able to Find Almost Anyone on Genealogy Sites

Science Madness

This Week in Science: Sept 29 – Oct 5

Health & Medicine

Spotify Will Make a Playlist Based on Your DNA

Hard Science

15 Years Ago, We Sequenced the Human Genome. Now We Can 3D Map It.

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