Even with DNA testing ethnicity, no matter how benign the discovery, there is someone looking to get rich quick with it.

Scientists have the tools to test our lineage all the way back to the African origins of humans, 150,000 years ago. This has opened the door to discoveries about the prevalence of surnames around the world to the risk factor for inherited disease. Although the science is intended for useful and ethical purposes, some are capitalizing on the technology to financially advance themselves.

For instance, in the case of an estate, some people are stepping forward to claim they are a relative of the wealthy deceased, and indeed they may be, but the timing of the news is suspect. Some people see these individuals as opportunists, or “genetic bounty”. They appear eager to see what they are entitled to simply based on genetics and race. For these people, DNA testing is not for the purposes of finding out about one’s heritage, it’s about finding out what one is entitled to.

Likewise, some people are having their DNA analyzed for the purposes of gaining a minority advantage in hiring or in college acceptances. Aware that companies and educational institutions encourage minority applicants, some DNA lab customers want to prove they have a strain of minority blood in them so they can advance their application.

A recent article in Science Daily goes deep into comparison of African DNA and African-American DNA studies.  It is an interesting article that you will find here.

Americans are lining up for advantages for Native Americans, casino money and health services even if their DNA findings reveal a minuscule connection to the race. For $100.00 to $350.00, information garnered from a simple cheek swab can reap thousands of dollars in financial advantages.

Critics of DNA testing for ethnicity say the findings aren’t foolproof; that routine errors can cost the government, companies or universities millions of dollars in unfair payouts. The ethics of DNA testing ethnicity will have to follow the technology in order for the system to be fair.