For years, many of us in the genetics community have strongly suggested that consumers think long and hard before ordering recreational genetic test kits for Christmas – or any other occasion. But when the Pentagon sends a stern warning to its military members, even Santa needs to listen.
Why would the Pentagon be worried about our military using at-home DNA kits? A memo issued to service members from the Office of the Secretary of Defense states that recreational genetic kits could give military personnel inaccurate information about their health. These inaccurate results could have negative professional consequences, particularly because military members, who are required to report medical problems, are not covered by the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA), which prohibits genetic discrimination by employers and health insurers.
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