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Insight: Oct 23

Insight hears the stories of people who have gotten more than they bargained for after taking a DNA test.

This week Insight hears the stories of people who have gotten more than they bargained for after taking a DNA test – and how they deal with the implications of those discoveries.

Commercial DNA test kits have exploded in popularity over the last few years. An estimated 12 million people worldwide have sent their saliva off for testing*. They’re inexpensive, easy to use and are marketed as a simple way to explore your heritage.

Rose, a 70 year old grandmother, took a DNA test about a year ago because her granddaughter wanted to learn more about the family’s Italian heritage. But she was confused when her test results revealed she had no Italian ancestors.

Rose asked her brother to take the test and his came back with 60 per cent Italian heritage. It also revealed that they were half-siblings. “I felt as if someone punched me in my stomach and I couldn’t breathe”, she tells Insight guest host Janice Petersen.

The past few months have been a rollercoaster of emotions for Rose. Her parents have both passed away so many of her questions remain unanswered.

Brad Agent, an employee of one of the major commercial DNA testing companies, tells Insight that consumers need to understand that DNA testing implicates people beyond the person taking the test.

“If you’re going to participate in this process, you have an obligation to yourselves and to your siblings and to your parents to understand what it is you’re doing with your DNA because it’s kind of their DNA too”, says Brad Agent.

And Rose has a warning for anyone thinking of getting tested.

“I tell everyone now that mentions taking it, be sure you’re ready for anything.”

Tuesday October 23 at 8.30pm on SBS.

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