Privacy Advocates' Concerns

Organizations like the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) have expressed strong concerns about the potential for genetic databases to be used for indiscriminate searches by law enforcement. They argue that such use could violate Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable searches and could lead to false accusations based on partial genetic matches.

The Slippery Slope

Critics worry that even if 23andMe maintains its current stance, the mere existence of large genetic databases creates pressure for their use in criminal investigations. This could lead to:

• Legislative efforts to mandate access for law enforcement
• court rulings that expand the permissible use of genetic databases in investigations