Human DNA Banking
FAQ
Humans FAQ
1. What steps will be taken to ensure my privacy?
A. Every possible effort will be taken to ensure your complete privacy and confidentiality. We strictly comply with the Data Protection Act. The DNA sample you return to bio-tag will be stored with its own unique bar-coded label in a fireproof high security vault and kept separate from your personal details. Your chosen password must be quoted in all further dealings with bio-tag. In the unfortunate event of the need of the sample for identification, only the authorised nominees will be allowed access after quoting their password. Your DNA sample will not be used for any other purpose and cannot be accessed by any individuals not authorised by yourself.
2. Can l ask bio-tag to perform human DNA testing?
A. Bio-tag does not offer a DNA identity profiling service for situations involving the police or judiciary who use official forensic testing services when information may be used legally. In the event of the need for such profiling you will usually be directed by an authorised government body.
3. Will my DNA be used for any other genetic tests?
A. Your sample will categorically not be used for any research projects or genetic tests other than those authorisied by your nominated individuals.
4. Will any information or samples be given to insurance companies?
A. No. Information will not be passed onto insurance companies.
5. Can the police gain access to my archived sample?
A. In theory the police can gain access to your sample if they go through due legal process in a court of law and are issued a subpoena. However, as bio-tag only stores DNA samples and not genetic profile data, the police could not directly check a scene of crime sample profile against the bio-tag database. They would need to test every single one of bio-tag's samples and compare them against their suspect profile. The time, money, and politics involved in this makes it highly unlikely.
6. What happens to my sample at the end of the agreed storage period?
A. We will contact you and establish whether you would like extend the storage period. If we do not receive a reply within three months your sample will be destroyed and your personal details removed from our database.
7. What happens if l no longer want my DNA sample to be stored in the bio-tag Archive?
A. You can log into your personal account and request the sample be destroyed. We will then remove your sample from our archive and delete your personal records from our files.
8. Who will be permitted to ask for my archived DNA sample to be used for identity testing?
A. The depositor will be asked to specify names and contact details of two individuals who are permitted to request identity testing of samples in the event of his/her death or abduction. In most cases this will be close relatives, partners or friends.
9. Can l subsequently change the name and details of authorised nominees?
A. Yes, this can be done by logging in to your account and submitting the changes.
10. What types of situations can DNA identification be used for?
A. The most likely situation would be establishing identity following death. DNA testing could also be used in cases of child abduction where physical appearance has changed over time. Animals can also be identified using DNA profiling (see our animals section for more details).
9. How long can a DNA sample be stored and still be used for identification matching?
A. At present it has been validated that DNA stored by this system can be used in identity matching for 14 years. However given the great stability of dried DNA and the experience of forensic and archaeological studies of ancient DNA it is likely that samples will be useable for as long as practically needed.
11. Is the information gained from DNA testing admissible in a court of law?
A. It can be in some cases although bio-tag does not perform testing for legal purposes.
12. Who are bio-tag and do they have links with other companies?
A. Bio-tag is a specialist DNA archiving and genotyping company. The founder members of bio-tag are experts in the area of DNA banking and genetic profiling. Bio-tag is partnered with a DNA testing company Family Genetics in order to make testing more accessible to their clients. Any samples stored with bio-tag are not accessible to and cannot be tested by Family Genetics without your consent.
13. How does bio-tag differ from other companies offering DNA sample collection kits for identity testing?
A. We keep the sample securely in our fireproof vaults rather than you keeping it at home as in the case with some companies who send you a DNA testing kit. Bio-tag also differs from other companies in that it checks the quality of the DNA sample taken and will only archive those which can be used for DNA identity profiling. Should your sample not meet our stringent quality checks we will send you another collection kit free of charge. Bio-tag's unique identity solutions packages also include "i've been bio-tagged" IDs with access to 24-hour support.
14. Do you do paternity testing?
A. No, this service is not offered by bio-tag.
A. Every possible effort will be taken to ensure your complete privacy and confidentiality. We strictly comply with the Data Protection Act. The DNA sample you return to bio-tag will be stored with its own unique bar-coded label in a fireproof high security vault and kept separate from your personal details. Your chosen password must be quoted in all further dealings with bio-tag. In the unfortunate event of the need of the sample for identification, only the authorised nominees will be allowed access after quoting their password. Your DNA sample will not be used for any other purpose and cannot be accessed by any individuals not authorised by yourself.
2. Can l ask bio-tag to perform human DNA testing?
A. Bio-tag does not offer a DNA identity profiling service for situations involving the police or judiciary who use official forensic testing services when information may be used legally. In the event of the need for such profiling you will usually be directed by an authorised government body.
3. Will my DNA be used for any other genetic tests?
A. Your sample will categorically not be used for any research projects or genetic tests other than those authorisied by your nominated individuals.
4. Will any information or samples be given to insurance companies?
A. No. Information will not be passed onto insurance companies.
5. Can the police gain access to my archived sample?
A. In theory the police can gain access to your sample if they go through due legal process in a court of law and are issued a subpoena. However, as bio-tag only stores DNA samples and not genetic profile data, the police could not directly check a scene of crime sample profile against the bio-tag database. They would need to test every single one of bio-tag's samples and compare them against their suspect profile. The time, money, and politics involved in this makes it highly unlikely.
6. What happens to my sample at the end of the agreed storage period?
A. We will contact you and establish whether you would like extend the storage period. If we do not receive a reply within three months your sample will be destroyed and your personal details removed from our database.
7. What happens if l no longer want my DNA sample to be stored in the bio-tag Archive?
A. You can log into your personal account and request the sample be destroyed. We will then remove your sample from our archive and delete your personal records from our files.
8. Who will be permitted to ask for my archived DNA sample to be used for identity testing?
A. The depositor will be asked to specify names and contact details of two individuals who are permitted to request identity testing of samples in the event of his/her death or abduction. In most cases this will be close relatives, partners or friends.
9. Can l subsequently change the name and details of authorised nominees?
A. Yes, this can be done by logging in to your account and submitting the changes.
10. What types of situations can DNA identification be used for?
A. The most likely situation would be establishing identity following death. DNA testing could also be used in cases of child abduction where physical appearance has changed over time. Animals can also be identified using DNA profiling (see our animals section for more details).
9. How long can a DNA sample be stored and still be used for identification matching?
A. At present it has been validated that DNA stored by this system can be used in identity matching for 14 years. However given the great stability of dried DNA and the experience of forensic and archaeological studies of ancient DNA it is likely that samples will be useable for as long as practically needed.
11. Is the information gained from DNA testing admissible in a court of law?
A. It can be in some cases although bio-tag does not perform testing for legal purposes.
12. Who are bio-tag and do they have links with other companies?
A. Bio-tag is a specialist DNA archiving and genotyping company. The founder members of bio-tag are experts in the area of DNA banking and genetic profiling. Bio-tag is partnered with a DNA testing company Family Genetics in order to make testing more accessible to their clients. Any samples stored with bio-tag are not accessible to and cannot be tested by Family Genetics without your consent.
13. How does bio-tag differ from other companies offering DNA sample collection kits for identity testing?
A. We keep the sample securely in our fireproof vaults rather than you keeping it at home as in the case with some companies who send you a DNA testing kit. Bio-tag also differs from other companies in that it checks the quality of the DNA sample taken and will only archive those which can be used for DNA identity profiling. Should your sample not meet our stringent quality checks we will send you another collection kit free of charge. Bio-tag's unique identity solutions packages also include "i've been bio-tagged" IDs with access to 24-hour support.
14. Do you do paternity testing?
A. No, this service is not offered by bio-tag.