Ancestry DNA Test - Need Advice

[shree]

I'm planning to buy Teal Swan - Ancestral Healing Course, which dives deep into understanding and healing generational trauma.

As part of this, I’m thinking about doing an ancestry DNA test to get a clearer picture of my heritage and family roots.

 

However, I've read that genetic testing, like those from AncestryDNA or 23andMe, might not be possible in Germany due to legal restrictions.

Has anyone here in Germany managed to navigate this issue? Is there a legal and effective way to access these tests, or would it be better to approach ancestral healing without the DNA test?

 

Also, are there any reasons I shouldn't do this test? Any advice or experiences would be greatly appreciated!

[El Zapato]

Hi shree, I love Teal Swan, she is highly empathic, intelligent, and insightful.

 

I've done three, 23andme, Ancestry, and CriGenetics.  The brains behind CriGenetics is a Nobel prize-winning microbiologist.  His test in my estimation was the most scientifically accurate. But, I was adopted and it was through 23/Ancestry that I found biological family (a lot of it) from both parents who were never married.  CriGenetics is just now starting to offer family connections so I think that would be an improvement.  I was required to answer why I wanted to take a DNA test and a bit miffed as I was, I offered that I wanted to know how much Alien DNA I possessed.  Well, in the spirit of ask and ye shall receive, the results came back with 10% Peruvian ancestry.  I figured, ok, close enough.  Have a good day! If you have any other questions do not hesitate to ask.  B.T.W:  I'm 28% German and my biological mother's family says they are German-Irish on their mother's side. She is my biological mother.

[shree]

Hi @El Zapato

 

Thanks for sharing your experience! I’m curious how you managed to do those DNA tests in Germany, especially since they aren’t easily available online here.

Any tips on how you accessed them?

 

[OmniNaut]

Be really careful with handing over your DNA data to a company. Especially 23andme is a company that will actively sell your data to other companies. You can't remove your personal data anymore once you have done the test. Even if the EULA you will agree to at that time will protect your data, there is no guarantee that the company will be bought or mergered in the future, and gone is the control and promises of your personal data.

Remember this is your (and your families) body blueprint. Every potential decease and weakness will be handed over to them. In the US there are already instances of insurance companies buying DNA data from these companies and you can't get a health insurance if you red flag for certain markers. Also your family will be influenced by YOUR DNA data you give to these companies.

The EU the last 1 1/2 years is a really good job in protecting the digital rights and privacies of the citizens, these rules are there for a reason. To protect your data. If an company in the EU is not allowed because of these rules, most of the time it's for a good reason.

Also see my reply in topic V
 

 

[Carl-Richard]

I don't know anything about the legal situation you're asking about, but other than that, I think I have some useful information:

When I researched for my DNA test, I found out that if you're purely interested in finding your ancestry, MyHeritage is the best for people who live in Europe and expect to have mostly European ancestry. They also don't provide health investigations as far as I remember.

By the way, I'm from Norway and I found out I'm 97.3% Scandinavian, 1.8% Finnish and 0.9% Greek/South-Italian, all of which didn't actually come as a surprise. I think ancestry and ethnicity is a fascinating subject 🙂

Edited August 21 by Carl-Richard

[OmniNaut]

48 minutes ago, Carl-Richard said:

I don't know anything about the legal situation you're asking about, but other than that, I think I have some useful information:

When I researched for my DNA test, I found out that if you're purely interested in finding your ancestry, MyHeritage is the best for people who live in Europe and expect to have mostly European ancestry. They also don't provide health investigations as far as I remember.

By the way, I'm from Norway and I found out I'm 97.3% Scandinavian, 1.8% Finnish and 0.9% Greek/South-Italian, all of which didn't actually come as a surprise. I think ancestry and ethnicity is a fascinating subject 🙂

Unfortunately Myheritage got hacked in 2018

https://www.twingate.com/blog/tips/myheritage-data-breach

My sister did a DNA test with them now her and my (family) DNA information is out in the open. People some information is just to valuable to trust to any other company. This is patient data and should be treated as such.

Take your own responsibility as well to do the proper research on privacy. It looks like Millenials/Gen Z doesn't have any concept anymore about privacy and the implications if we loose it.

Edited August 21 by OmniNaut

[Carl-Richard]

1 hour ago, OmniNaut said:

Take your own responsibility as well to do the proper research on privacy. It looks like Millenials/Gen Z doesn't have any concept anymore about privacy and the implications if we loose it.

I've thought about what bad things could happen if somebody got a hold of my DNA, but short of biochemical weapons targeting Scandinavian people and other science fiction scenarios, my mind turns up blank. Is the idea simply "better safe than sorry" or do you have any specific concerns related to DNA?

Edited August 21 by Carl-Richard

[Buck Edwards]

I found my ancestry to be partly European. Fascinating. 

[OmniNaut]

32 minutes ago, Carl-Richard said:

I've thought about what bad things could happen if somebody got a hold of my DNA, but short of biochemical weapons targeting Scandinavian people and other science fiction scenarios, my mind turns up blank. Is the idea simply "better safe than sorry" or do you have any specific concerns related to DNA?

https://chatgpt.com/share/a30127a7-2ba6-4d2e-ba75-c9729dcda279
 

Don't have much time at the moment but ChatGPT does a good job of explaining.

I asked these questions:
1. what can happen when my DNA information is leaked
2. Are there already real life situations where this happened?
3. Do insurance companies use this data?
4. How can criminals use my DNA data
5. How can governments misuse DNA data?

Also 23andMe real life bad behaviour: 
https://cglife.com/blog/23andme-sold-your-genetic-data-to-gsk-personalized-medicine-ethics/

 

[shree]

6 hours ago, OmniNaut said:

Be really careful with handing over your DNA data to a company. Especially 23andme is a company that will actively sell your data to other companies. You can't remove your personal data anymore once you have done the test. Even if the EULA you will agree to at that time will protect your data, there is no guarantee that the company will be bought or mergered in the future, and gone is the control and promises of your personal data.

Remember this is your (and your families) body blueprint. Every potential decease and weakness will be handed over to them. In the US there are already instances of insurance companies buying DNA data from these companies and you can't get a health insurance if you red flag for certain markers. Also your family will be influenced by YOUR DNA data you give to these companies.

The EU the last 1 1/2 years is a really good job in protecting the digital rights and privacies of the citizens, these rules are there for a reason. To protect your data. If an company in the EU is not allowed because of these rules, most of the time it's for a good reason.

Also see my reply in topic V
 

 

It is not surprising that Germany doesn't allow those tests after reading this 

Thanks for the comprehensive answer. 

[shree]

3 hours ago, Carl-Richard said:

I don't know anything about the legal situation you're asking about, but other than that, I think I have some useful information:

When I researched for my DNA test, I found out that if you're purely interested in finding your ancestry, MyHeritage is the best for people who live in Europe and expect to have mostly European ancestry. They also don't provide health investigations as far as I remember.

By the way, I'm from Norway and I found out I'm 97.3% Scandinavian, 1.8% Finnish and 0.9% Greek/South-Italian, all of which didn't actually come as a surprise. I think ancestry and ethnicity is a fascinating subject 🙂

I also find it fascinating. It's amazing that we have access to something like this today, and I would really like to try it as well, but I have some concerns about privacy.

[shree]

4 hours ago, Carl-Richard said:

I don't know anything about the legal situation you're asking about, but other than that, I think I have some useful information:

When I researched for my DNA test, I found out that if you're purely interested in finding your ancestry, MyHeritage is the best for people who live in Europe and expect to have mostly European ancestry. They also don't provide health investigations as far as I remember.

By the way, I'm from Norway and I found out I'm 97.3% Scandinavian, 1.8% Finnish and 0.9% Greek/South-Italian, all of which didn't actually come as a surprise. I think ancestry and ethnicity is a fascinating subject 🙂

@Carl-Richard Thanks for sharing.

I also find it fascinating and would really like to see my results, but it seems I will not take the test due to privacy concerns.

 

[shree]

3 hours ago, OmniNaut said:

Unfortunately Myheritage got hacked in 2018

https://www.twingate.com/blog/tips/myheritage-data-breach

My sister did a DNA test with them now her and my (family) DNA information is out in the open. People some information is just to valuable to trust to any other company. This is patient data and should be treated as such.

Take your own responsibility as well to do the proper research on privacy. It looks like Millenials/Gen Z doesn't have any concept anymore about privacy and the implications if we loose it.

This is a very good point. Thanks.

[OBEler]

@shree chatgpt helps a lot on this topic.

You can do it with a doctor in Germany if you want.

Edited August 21 by OBEler

[shree]

6 hours ago, OBEler said:

You can do it with a doctor in Germany if you want.

A doctor may help with health concerns, but they can't provide DNA testing for ancestry information...

[Carl-Richard]

7 hours ago, shree said:

@Carl-Richard Thanks for sharing.

I also find it fascinating and would really like to see my results, but it seems I will not take the test due to privacy concerns.

But then I'll ask you too: is there anything in particular you're concerned about related to the privacy of DNA (not just privacy in general)?

Edited August 21 by Carl-Richard

[Carl-Richard]

9 hours ago, OmniNaut said:

https://chatgpt.com/share/a30127a7-2ba6-4d2e-ba75-c9729dcda279
 

Don't have much time at the moment but ChatGPT does a good job of explaining.

I asked these questions:
1. what can happen when my DNA information is leaked
2. Are there already real life situations where this happened?
3. Do insurance companies use this data?
4. How can criminals use my DNA data
5. How can governments misuse DNA data?

Also 23andMe real life bad behaviour: 
https://cglife.com/blog/23andme-sold-your-genetic-data-to-gsk-personalized-medicine-ethics/

 

Welp 🥲 I hope MyHeritage won't get hacked for real sometime (allegedly no DNA information was leaked in 2018).

[OBEler]

20 minutes ago, Carl-Richard said:

But then I'll ask you too: is there anything in particular you're concerned about related to the privacy of DNA (not just privacy in general)?

We in Germany had bad experiences in past history with knowing your ancestors. Back then it could have cost your life 

You never know.

Edited August 21 by OBEler

[Schizophonia]

What’s the point ?

[Keryo Koffa]

4 minutes ago, OBEler said:

We in Germany had bad experiences in past history with knowing your ancestors.

Try being curious as an Argentinian! You may discover your original last name to be far more interesting!