Can I do DNA testing to find family if GDPR requests were refused?

[FindingMyWayThrough1]

Hi everyone,
I’m hoping for some advice or perspectives. I’m trying to find information about my family history. My mother has a very concealed past, and I don’t know anything about my extended family.

I’ve already tried making GDPR Subject Access Requests to various organizations (e.g., councils, health services) to get information about potential family connections. But I was told they couldn’t release details because it might cause distress to other family members.

I’m now thinking about doing a commercial DNA test (like AncestryDNA or 23andMe) to try to find genetic relatives. I’m worried, though—since my GDPR requests were refused, would it be illegal or unethical to do DNA testing to find family that way? I don’t want to get into trouble or cause problems, but I also feel like I have a right to know my own background.

Has anyone else been in a similar situation? How did you approach it? Any advice on whether DNA testing would be appropriate or what to watch out for?

Thanks so much in advance!

Whose dna do you want to use

No, it's not illegal or unethical because it's part of the consent model for these services. Users have to opt in for their DNA to be shared with others as part of a tracing service.

However, it sounds like it may not be likely that you'll get hits. And I think you need to explore with yourself how you would feel if you spend this money and still get nothing. Or if the people you are connected to refuse any messages from you and refuse to release their information?

With kindness, you may find more peace and satisfaction focussing on the family and friends you do have, than trying to find something that you may never get an answer as to whether it exists....

This is why I will never voluntarily give my dna to one of these companies. I absolutely wouldn’t want to be contacted by long lost relatives.

Your mother is entitled to keep her past concealed, and may well have very good reasons. You’re potentially opening up a whole can of worms that cannot be closed.

I think you would be possibly opening up a can of worms too. I know it's hard but people have their reasons. I'd never do one of these tests.

The dna websites wouldn’t be breaching gdpr as you would use your own DNA and could only see other relatives that have also joined for that purpose.

I understand why you want to get in touch with your extended family but please only do this if you accept your relationship with your mum may be obliterated.

No it is not illegal or unethical. I discovered a 'secret' brother this way, or rather he discovered me and my family. He had been adopted at birth. His birth mother did not want to know him when she contacted her via the official channels. However he used Ancestry DNA and has connected with several siblings and cousins. The extended family is his history and his genetic inheritance too and it is up to the people he connects with to make their own decision. I was not on the database but one of my children was.

I'm not sure why you did a GDPR/SAR request, they can only give the data they hold about YOU, they won't give out other peoples personal data that's literally against the law.

But in terms of DNA it's not illegal or unethical but you're also relying on them having provided their own DNA and signed up to the website so you might not get very far.

Personally with things like this people conceal things for a reason so i'd also think about your next steps.

You do a DNA test, find a relative and they don't respond to you or they tell you they don't want to know you, what then?

Before you go gown that route I'd recommend listening to the gift from the BBC. It's about people taking those tests and getting rather more than they bargained for.

Can I ask why?

just out of curiosity

Having read further, I would do the DNA test privately. If you find anyone it means they’re interested in looking for long lost relatives too. So your mum will just have to accept it I guess. But if not, you might have to accept there’s a side to your family that you won’t know.

Go for it. It’s your history, too. Just be aware that the answers might be painful (and maybe keep them to yourself)