Tegenlicht broadcast: My DNA
On Sunday 30 August at 22:05 you could watch a very personal episode of Tegenlicht on NPO2 in which Roland Duong goes in search of hereditary traits that may be recorded in his DNA. What is ‘nurture’ and what is ‘nature’? And is his DNA actually safe with the big tech companies?
Tegenlicht: iGene on DNA data & privacy.
With an American DNA test such as 23andme, you hand over your DNA for commercial use. iGene chooses to let you remain the owner of the genetic data yourself.
Watch the whole episode here.
What exactly is DNA? Read it here
Tegenlicht: iGene on DNA & sensitivity to medicines.
People are often wrongly given a standard average dose of a medicine. Thanks to the iGene medicine report, you can see whether you need a higher dose for effectiveness or a lower dose to prevent side effects.
Watch the whole episode here.
Privacy
Roland has his DNA tested by iGene. The big difference between iGene and the big tech companies such as 23andMe and Ancestry.com is that iGene’s DNA data is stored on Dutch servers and the DNA data is not linked to personal data. The DNA data contains no name and address details, only a unique code that only the user has. iGene itself therefore cannot trace whose DNA data it is.
Read more about DNA and privacy.
In control of your own DNA
Companies such as 23andMe and Ancestry.com have chosen to use DNA information commercially. The biggest drawback is that a possible leak can have major consequences. Once leaked, DNA linked to a name and address can never be changed again, as can be done with a password.
Because the Dutch company iGene recognises how important privacy is and remains, it has chosen not to become a ‘Big Data’ company by using DNA as a commodity, but to let customers actually be the owners of their own DNA data.
“Where do I find a party I dare to entrust my DNA to?”
Why did journalist and programme maker Roland Duong have his DNA tested by iGene? Watch the episode ‘My DNA’ of VPRO Tegenlicht.