Risks Of Sharing Personal Genetic Information Online Need More Study, Bioethicists Say
Sunday, June 7, 2009 - 20:21
in Psychology & Sociology
With just $399 and a bit of saliva in a cup, consumers can learn about their genetic risk for diseases from breast cancer to diabetes. Now, thanks to social networking sites set up by personal genomics companies, they can also share that information with family, friends and even strangers on the Internet. Bonding over a similar genetic background sounds relatively harmless. But according to bioethicists sharing genetic information online raises a host of ethical questions.