Two million more genomes
DNA Test Market Pioneer to share data with FBI
Alexander Noskov, Hi-tech+
FamilyTreeDNA voluntarily provided the Federal Bureau of Investigation with access to two million genetic profiles. This is the first such case, and it will double the database that agents have access to.
The investigation of crimes using DNA databases is one of the main trends in the development of criminology this year. The growth in the volume of open data will soon lead to the fact that even DNA, which is not in databases, will allow to calculate the criminal – through his relatives.
And the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has just taken a giant step in this direction. The agency has signed an agreement with one of the pioneers of the DNA testing market in the United States, FamilyTreeDNA, BuzzFeed reports.
During its operation, the company has collected about 2 million sets of genetic data. Previously, the FBI mainly used the open GEDmatch system. Now the amount of data will double, transmits Bloomberg.
There are nuances in working with the new database.
In an open GEDmatch, the FBI could download DNA from crime scenes on its own. FamilyTreeDNA claims that as a result of cooperation with the bureau, data privacy will not be violated. Agents cannot freely download data and "surf" the database, promises the head of the company Bennett Greenspan. In working with the FBI, FamilyTreeDNA will independently analyze DNA samples and give information about family matches – the same as an ordinary commercial user can get.
Now FamilyTreeDNA is far from the biggest company on the market. For example, more popular Ancestry.com and 23andMe for two gathered a database of 15 million sets of genes.
Bloomberg emphasizes that, despite the relatively modest volume, the FamilyTreeDNA solution is extremely important. Firstly, some studies show that it is enough to have a database with the DNA of 2% of people to seriously increase the chances of finding any person who is not represented there. Secondly, the company's decision, which goes against the protection of personal data, is a double-edged sword.
Experts point out that the medium-sized database increases the chances that the investigation will check the innocent relatives of the criminal. But a sufficiently large database, on the contrary, will exclude many similar options from consideration.
Time will tell whether FamilyTreeDNA's business will collapse due to cooperation with the authorities or, conversely, potential customers will perceive this as an opportunity to contribute to the protection of society from criminals.
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