Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2022 Sep;19(3):395-406.
doi: 10.1007/s11673-022-10192-w. Epub 2022 Jul 19.

Ethics of Buying DNA

Julian J Koplin  1   2 , Jack Skeggs  3 , Christopher Gyngell  4   5
Affiliations

Ethics of Buying DNA

Julian J Koplin et al. J Bioeth Inq. 2022 Sep.

Abstract

DNA databases have significant commercial value. Direct-to-consumer genetic testing companies have built databanks using samples and information voluntarily provided by customers. As the price of genetic analysis falls, there is growing interest in building such databases by paying individuals for their DNA and personal data. This paper maps the ethical issues associated with private companies paying for DNA. We outline the benefits of building better genomic databases and describe possible concerns about crowding out, undue inducement, exploitation, and commodification. While certain objections deserve more empirical and philosophical investigation, we argue that none currently provide decisive reasons against using financial incentives to secure DNA samples.

Keywords: Commodification; DNA databases; Direct-to-consumer genetic testing; Exploitation; Genomics.

PubMed Disclaimer

Similar articles

See all similar articles

Cited by

References

    1. Adam S, Friedman JM. Individual DNA samples and health information sold by 23andMe. Genetics in Medicine. 2016;18(4):305–306. doi: 10.1038/gim.2015.82. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Ahmed E, Shabani M. DNA data marketplace: An analysis of the ethical concerns regarding the participation of the individuals. Frontiers in Genetics. 2019;10:1107. doi: 10.3389/fgene.2019.01107. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Allyse MA, Robinson DH, Ferber MJ, Sharp RR. Direct-to-consumer testing 2.0: Emerging models of direct-to-consumer genetic testing. Mayo Clinic Proceedings. 2018;93(1):113–120. doi: 10.1016/j.mayocp.2017.11.001. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Alpinar-Şencan Z, Baumann H, Biller-Andorno N. Does organ selling violate human dignity? Monash Bioethics Review. 2017;34(3-4):189–205. doi: 10.1007/s40592-017-0070-x. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Archard D. Selling yourself: Titmuss’s argument against a market in blood. The Journal of Ethics. 2002;6(1):87–102. doi: 10.1023/A:1015852012719. - DOI - PubMed

Publication types