(06-01-2023, 03:20 PM)loam Wrote:(05-31-2023, 09:32 PM)Ninurta Wrote: It is pretty well known that currently everyone hands out large gobs of DNA in their trash. Anyone with nefarious designs can already get it from a dumpster if they really, REALLY want your DNA...
I you want my DNA, I'm going to make you sift through my daily detritus.
Government types are notorious for not being averse to dumpster-diving for DNA, so don't worry, you're covered by them. It's far easier, and far more accurate to insure they are getting the right DNA, than trying to sift through private corporate databases, which are generally encrypted and anonymized.
Quote:(05-31-2023, 09:32 PM)Ninurta Wrote: ..and if they don't, they're not going to sift through millions of tests at a DNA company.
AI can accomplish this in a few short moments. Is raising you insurance rates 'nefarious' because of some gene you might have?
Insurance companies and other industries will have a field day. Mark my words.
I have my doubts about the AI thing - how would even AI separate out a particular set of DNA, and then link it to a specific identity? I suppose it might become possible with a little time and some mega quantum computing, but I doubt we are there yet.
The insurance angle was covered by Congress in 2008, when they made it illegal for insurance companies to factor DNA results into premiums. I believe they did that because a DNA result alone cannot predict likelihood of any particular ailment. other things also factor in, and the presence of a DNA vulnerability in the absence of environmental triggers will usually not express itself, so Congress reasoned that it was unreasonable for insurance companies to use that as a factor in premiums... and then made it illegal.
In the US, at least.
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