To think this is an odd birthday request off DD?

[etonclean]

DD's birthday is in 2 weeks, she has asked for one of those DNA tests. She will be 19. Just in case someone asks I'd like to clarify it's not a "who's the daddy" test. You spit in a cup, send it off to the lab and then they get back to you telling you which areas of the world your ancestors are from and what diseases you have a genetic predisposition to.

I've said I'll get her one but I think it's a bit odd. There's no family secrets, me and DH are both definitely her biological parents (!) and both families are very healthy. We also both have family tracing back to Ireland.

AIBU in worrying she thinks there is some secret we are keeping from her about who she is? Or am I just being paranoid? She usually asks for makeup. DH got upset when I told him what she had asked for as he thought she must think he's not her dad, managed to reassure him though.

YABU. I think it's a great gift and she is probably coming to an age where the history of her family interests her

I wouldnt buy it for the reason of why would you willing give your DNA to a company to harvest.

If she wants it she can buy her herself

Loads of people do these just because they are interested in their genetic make up, where they come from. It's totally normal!

I think she is just fascinated with genetic history. Very interesting to find out which part of the world your ancestors may be from. Just natural curiosity I think.

I had one last year. It confirmed what I already knew - 89% Welsh with some Cornish for good measure - but I loved it.

It helps you identify relatives too, although you have to pay more for that.

These things are just total gimics.

Have her read this and then decide if she still wants one.

now.tufts.edu/articles/pulling-back-curtain-dna-ancestry-tests

YABU I don’t think it’s an odd gift- id love to do one

She probably watched the Ant and Dec thing the other week. It was full of ads for the company.

They're really popular right now,I think you and you husband are both overreacting.

That said, there are enough questions about them for me to hesitate. Never mind the people who've received (sometimes inaccurate) distressing medical information in their results without any proper support.

I wouldn’t for privacy reasons.

Pretty sure there was a documentary on these companies. They sent the same DNA to several companies and each one said different stuff. All in all was deemed inaccurate and not reliable

I’d love to do one of these but worry about the information they’ll receive

I asked my mum for one of these. Never occurred to me she might think I thought she was keeping secrets from me...

It's basically data harvesting - why would you volunteer to give your DNA away to some random company?

YABU - they are great fun. Finding,out about your ancestral ethnicity. And genealogy if you're into that.

And if you,don't want your data viewable (anonymously), you don't have to

My ds 19 has asked for one for Christmas!!!

I have loved mine. I am doing the family tree and it has been v helpful.
I have not had a disease risk one done, just the standard ancestry.

Is that all she wants?

I'd rather someone look into the family tree for me-I cba!

Why would your husband get upset & think that she must think he's not her dad?

Doesn't say a lot for what he thinks of you!

I did it because I wanted to trace my family history. It may be that it will be the start of a fascinating hobby for her.

It's basically data harvesting - why would you volunteer to give your DNA away to some random company?

What do you think they would do with it?

probably watched ant and dec DNA journey that's all

There are huge issues around data, security and platforms monetising and surveilling DNA amidst of course other things. I work in this area for my bread and butter but not sure the data/platforms aspect is “seen” by people usually in these things, as with google nest, the one ring doorbell etc.

My son asked for one for his 13th Birthday! We got it for him and it was fascinating. I also did one so now he can look at his results and see which relatives are from his mothers side and which from his father’s side.

We did 23&me and have discovered relatives we had lost touch with. The fact we knew who they were and it linked us shows these work to a certain extent.

DH did one, then I did one and then DD did one. She would have been 19 at the time. Our interest is to do with family genealogy. No secrets. DD is definitely mine and DHs daughter.