Towards legalization of DNA tests for the search for family origins?

Would you be willing to take DNA tests to find out information about your family? It may soon be possible. Wednesday April 15, the Economic, Social and Environmental Council (Cese) called for legalize DNA testingbut only for genealogical purposes. With this proposal, Cese wants to protect the French and fight against “legal hypocrisy”. 1.5 to 2 million French people have already carried out a genealogical DNA test to find out their origins.

Currently, carrying out a genetic test privately without a medical prescription or legal injunction is prohibited by law and liable to a fine of 3,750 euros. But each year between 100,000 and 150,000 people buy DNA test kits on the Internet. By sending saliva or blood samples, foreign companies are able to reveal a lot of information about the origins of applicants.

The Cese alerts on sending sensitive data without guarantees of protection. “By addressing an opaque extra-European market, users export their biological heritage outside the European Union, thus escaping the guarantees of the GDPR,” warns Cese.

To support this proposal, the Economic, Social and Environmental Council also highlights new concerns with many people searching for their origins following births under X, assisted reproduction with a third party donor. This approach is part of “a deep quest for identity, closely linked to the evolution of family models. Knowing one’s biological history is a fundamental need, particularly for people born under

To avoid abuse, the Economic, Social and Environmental Council therefore recommends decriminalization for “genetic tests for genealogical purposes and to build a European shield for genetic data, while strengthening psychological support for people facing a potential shock in the face of the results”. Cese reminds that knowing your origins is not a medical necessity. Indeed, genealogical tests will not be subject to no reimbursement by Health Insurance.