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This Guy Bought His Whole Family A DNA Test For Christmas And It Turned Their Lives Upside Down
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This Guy Bought His Whole Family A DNA Test For Christmas And It Turned Their Lives Upside Down

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At-home DNA test kits are being advertised everywhere as the perfect gift idea, playing on people’s natural curiosity about themselves and promising closer connections with family as they learn of their shared connections. This knowledge can quite easily turn out to be a curse, however, as skeletons in the closet can emerge to tear families apart. Some secrets are kept secret for a good reason.

Image credits: Steve Garfield

This story, shared on the subreddit TIFU is a perfect example of why a Christmas gift of DNA kit to your family members is probably a terrible idea. I mean, 99% of the time the most groundbreaking thing you are likely to find out is some interesting Lithuanian heritage, but what if you were to discover something that you weren’t supposed to discover accidentally? There are a time and a place for a paternity test and the inconvenient truths that comes with it, and around the family Christmas tree certainly isn’t it!

So this time, there was a happy ending for this family. But let this be a warning as to what could happen! By all means, treat yourself to a DNA testing kit and enjoy exploring your ancestry and heritage. But maybe stick to books and socks for the fam, skipping the uber unique gifts?

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    Mindaugas Balčiauskas

    Mindaugas Balčiauskas

    Author, BoredPanda staff

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    I'm a visual editor at Bored Panda. I kickstart my day with a mug of coffee bigger than my head, ready to tackle Photoshop. I navigate through the digital jungle with finesse, fueled by bamboo breaks and caffeine kicks. When the workday winds down, you might catch me devouring bamboo snacks while binging on the latest TV show, gaming or I could be out in nature, soaking up the tranquility and communing with my inner panda.

    Read less »
    Mindaugas Balčiauskas

    Mindaugas Balčiauskas

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    I'm a visual editor at Bored Panda. I kickstart my day with a mug of coffee bigger than my head, ready to tackle Photoshop. I navigate through the digital jungle with finesse, fueled by bamboo breaks and caffeine kicks. When the workday winds down, you might catch me devouring bamboo snacks while binging on the latest TV show, gaming or I could be out in nature, soaking up the tranquility and communing with my inner panda.

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    KatHat
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    'Be gentle and considerate of folks." Best advice ever, anywhere.

    Full Name
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    And when that doesn't work, I find swift and brutal violence gets results.

    Load More Replies...
    Dian Ella Lillie
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The thing that most people don't appreciate when they do these tests is that they're giving the companies that conduct them their complete medical genetic make-up forever. Not only that though, the companies can infer with fair-to-amazing accuracy the medical genetics of relations who have deliberately avoided being tested for their own person and private reasons. This information is a Pandora's box, and it can and will be used in the future in ways that most people today cannot fathom. Our societies are not prepared for the fall-out from this technology...

    Molly Block
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That is true, but I do believe that you have to click the little "I agree" box on the site to allow this. I did 23andMe and MyHeritageDNA company's tests and I remember having to agree to things. I didn't mind. I don't care. Let them use my DNA and genetic code for whatever reasons they need-- it might help people in the future. I've got nothing to lose, after all. And I'm glad to be a part of it all.

    Load More Replies...
    Pinky Pop
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Send kits to the Kardashians.... Now that would make FANTASTIC TV.... especially when Khloe's father wasn't a lawyer but a hairdresser....

    Melody Lanzatella
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Im not the first to say this, and I wont be the last! NO Kardashian TV is fantastic TV!!! I think we have ALL seen enough of that ridiculous family! (and no matter how outrageous the results, nothing would be a surprise to ANYONE!)

    Load More Replies...
    Load More Comments
    KatHat
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    'Be gentle and considerate of folks." Best advice ever, anywhere.

    Full Name
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    And when that doesn't work, I find swift and brutal violence gets results.

    Load More Replies...
    Dian Ella Lillie
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The thing that most people don't appreciate when they do these tests is that they're giving the companies that conduct them their complete medical genetic make-up forever. Not only that though, the companies can infer with fair-to-amazing accuracy the medical genetics of relations who have deliberately avoided being tested for their own person and private reasons. This information is a Pandora's box, and it can and will be used in the future in ways that most people today cannot fathom. Our societies are not prepared for the fall-out from this technology...

    Molly Block
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That is true, but I do believe that you have to click the little "I agree" box on the site to allow this. I did 23andMe and MyHeritageDNA company's tests and I remember having to agree to things. I didn't mind. I don't care. Let them use my DNA and genetic code for whatever reasons they need-- it might help people in the future. I've got nothing to lose, after all. And I'm glad to be a part of it all.

    Load More Replies...
    Pinky Pop
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Send kits to the Kardashians.... Now that would make FANTASTIC TV.... especially when Khloe's father wasn't a lawyer but a hairdresser....

    Melody Lanzatella
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Im not the first to say this, and I wont be the last! NO Kardashian TV is fantastic TV!!! I think we have ALL seen enough of that ridiculous family! (and no matter how outrageous the results, nothing would be a surprise to ANYONE!)

    Load More Replies...
    Load More Comments
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