Why I Don’t Trust DNA Testing (And What I Do Instead)
DNA testing has become popular, but for me, the idea of giving over something as personal as my DNA to a corporation raises red flags. These companies claim to help us “find our roots,” yet they also perpetuate the idea that our history is lost, forgotten, and hidden, only to be “found” through their data. We are told we came on boats, stripped of all identity, and that only science can reconnect us. But how much of that is true? And who is really benefiting from us handing over our genetic data? For me, the more trusted way to reclaim our story is through experience, connection, and immersion. Talking to other members of the African diaspora, especially those in the Caribbean, Central, and South America, and even Africa itself, has taught me more about my roots than any test ever could. By immersing ourselves in the culture, language, and lived experiences of our cousins across the world, we can form deeper, more meaningful connections to our ancestry.
The Risks of DNA Testing
One of my biggest concerns with DNA testing is the lack of control over what happens to our data. Who has access to it? How is it used? We’ve seen how data in other industries—like social media and tech—is often sold or exploited without our knowledge, and I wonder: How is DNA data any different? While companies claim to safeguard our information, can we truly be certain when it’s handed over to a corporation?
Let’s look at the instance of Henrietta Lacks. Lacks was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 1950 after visiting Johns Hopkins Hospital for vaginal bleeding. She received radium treatments, which were the standard treatment at the time. During treatment, surgeons at Johns Hopkins took samples of Lacks' cancerous tissue without her knowledge or consent. The cells were given to Dr. George Gey, the head of tissue culture research at Johns Hopkins. The cells, nicknamed "HeLa" (Henrietta Lacks), became the basis for the first immortal human cell line. HeLa cells can divide and multiply outside of the human body. HeLa cells have been used in many scientific discoveries — research on cancer and health benefits, studying the effects of toxins, drugs, hormones, and viruses on cancer cells, and landmark discoveries in genetics. Lacks' story has prompted legal and ethical debates over the rights of individuals to their genetic material and tissue. Scientists and the Lacks family have worked together to establish stronger rules to govern the use of HeLa cells. Imagine how many times our DNA is used without our knowledge and consent.
Additionally, I don’t trust the idea that our lineage is as simple as a test result. We are more than the percentages of where our ancestors are said to come from. We are a blend of cultures, experiences, and histories that no test can fully capture. A DNA report might tell you that you’re 20% from one place, 15% from another, but it doesn’t tell the stories of how our people lived, loved, and survived. It strips us down to data points rather than lived experiences.
Immersion as a True Connection to Our Roots
What I’ve found more meaningful than any test is traveling and connecting with other members of the African diaspora. When I traveled to Roatán, Honduras, I met people who looked like me, shared similar stories, and had connections to my family's origins in the Carolinas. The conversations we had, the cultural practices we exchanged—it felt like coming home. No test could replicate the depth of that experience. It’s these face-to-face connections, hearing the languages, witnessing the traditions, and learning how our cousins across the world honor their heritage, that bring our ancestry to life. This type of immersion offers a richer, more nuanced understanding of our roots than any DNA test ever could.
Instead of relying on DNA tests, I prefer to dive into historical research, oral histories, and community-driven storytelling. Talking to our elders, recording family stories, and reading up on the historical context of where our families lived can uncover so much. We are more than the numbers on a report—we are the sum of the stories passed down, the resilience of our ancestors, and the legacies we continue to build.
