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Human DNA can now be obtained from water, sand and air

Human DNA can now be obtained from water, sand and air

Footprints left on a beach. Air in a room. Ocean water.

Scientists have been able to collect and analyze detailed genetic data from human DNA from all these countries, raising sharp ethical questions about consent, privacy and security when it comes to our biological information.

Researchers from the University of Florida, who were using environmental DNA found in sand to study sea turtles, said the DNA was of such high quality that scientists could identify disease-related mutations and determine the genetic background of the populations that lived nearby.

Tests have also been done with human volunteers.

Human DNA can now be obtained from water, sand and air

Human DNA that has seeped into the environment through our skin, sweat and blood can be used to help locate missing persons, assist in forensic investigations to solve crimes, locate sites of archaeological significance and for health monitoring through DNA found in sewage, the study points out.

However, the ability to capture human DNA from the environment could have a number of unintended consequences – both unintended and malicious, they added. These included violations of privacy, location tracking, data collection and genetic surveillance of individuals or groups.

"It is important to preserve human autonomy, dignity and the right to self-determination over personal data.