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by Noaidi 21 days ago
Honestly, you don't need someone's genetics for this to happen. They will find out more about you by scraping your socials and spending habits and driving habits.

I think this whole fear is over blown anyway. I am in a genetic out group (schizoaffective disorder and yes my risk is genetic) and the benefits of getting my genetics run twice out weighed any risk that might have befallen me.
2 comments
saxonww 21 days ago
It's overblown _right now_ because this information is not broadly available. The fear is that pervasive access to this data would lead to e.g. you or your partner not getting insurance to pay for anything fertility-related, or you not getting hired for a job you want despite being otherwise qualified, or even that <insert authority> is less inclined to take you seriously because their perception of what schizoaffective means makes them think your perception of reality can't be trusted.

Of course if you just go tell everyone you are or are at high risk of being schizoaffective, you've done it to yourself. Not having a bad outcome yet doesn't mean that a bad outcome is not now more likely.

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Noaidi 21 days ago
I am homeless currently living with schizoaffective disorder (and OCD) by myself because no one wants to take care of people with mental illness so I have zero to lose.

My nephew died by suicide, I tried my mother and my brother tried. A whole family of pretty evident genes.

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graemep 21 days ago
You have control over your habits, and what you reveal on your "socials". I post very little personal.

You have no control over your genes.

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vintermann 21 days ago
23andMe bet big that genetic big data would be super valuable. That really didn't work out for them.

It turns out that it's more valuable for advertisers to learn if you actually smoke, than that you have a genetic propensity for smoking. Your genotype is just useful for figuring out your phenotype, and in the vast majority of cases, your genetics (especially not at the resolution offered by 23andMe) are not a shortcut to learn your behavior, which is what they're really after.

You're probably already classed as some variety of paranoid/dissident for your careful social media preferences...

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Noaidi 21 days ago
> You have control over your habits

If you have to change your habits because a secret system is watching over you it means they are already controlling you.

You cannot hide your bank account, where you drive, what you buy, and on and on and on.

And all I need to get your DNA is pick up a cup you drank from or go through your garbage.

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