23 pairs of chromosomes

Have you been following the trail of articles in the media about “discreet” DNA testing?  The best of these is definitely by Peter aldous writing in of all things the New Scientist.   Of course as we all know it’s illegal to conduct any type of DNA testing without the consent of the individuals being tested - the Human Tissue Act tells us so.  But it seems that some companies have been sailing a bit close to the wind, let me explain.

Peter’s investigation found that several companies were perfectly happy to receive and test samples gathered without the knowledge and therefore consent of an alleged miscreant.  But the samples were to be tested by a laboratory outside of the UK and therefore outside of the jurisdiction of the Human Tissue Act.  I don’t know about you but showing the cost your discreet DNA test in Sterling seems wrong.  In the past year or so several companies operating in the UK have had to change their websites to inform customers that this form of testing is illegal in the UK - yet they still advertise the service!!