Kudos to the team at Rediscovering Latinidad—Edward Rueda, Briar Rose, Edward Fausto, Jellissa, and Matthew Sambolin—for inviting my cousin, Ellen Fernandez-Sacco, and me to join this important conversation. Rediscovering Latinidad podcasts are “made with love and dedication to the art of family history. Too often, the search for our roots is framed through a Eurocentric lens, making the process feel inefficient and exclusionary for those who identify as Latiné, LatinX, and everything in between.” I highly recommend subscribing to their podcast. Our history is complex, rich, and diverse, and it deserves to be explored on our own terms.
The recent data breach at 23andMe has sparked widespread concern, with many predicting the company’s potential downfall. In this podcast episode, we discuss the challenges 23andMe currently faces as a company in flux, separating fact from fiction. We also examine the pros and cons of other major DNA testing companies, providing insights for those navigating the evolving landscape of consumer genetics.
Of course, we also reflect on why we chose to use DNA testing in the first place—how it has helped us break through brick walls in our family trees. For many people of color, DNA is often the only tool available to trace our ancestry beyond recent generations. The brutal legacies of slavery, genocide, and dispossession were designed to sever our connections to the past. In this context, consumer DNA testing has been nothing short of revolutionary. Yet, it comes with its own challenges, particularly for those of us with endogamous ancestry, which can complicate genealogical research.
Finally, we confront the risks and ethical dilemmas of DNA testing, including issues of privacy, the lack of strong legal protections, and the troubling resurgence of eugenics—junk science dressed up in modern discourse. As genetic genealogy continues to evolve, it’s crucial to remain both informed and vigilant about how our data is used.
Please click on the red link to listen to Rediscovering Latinidad, Season 6, Episode 1
The Fall of 23andme/La Caída de 23andme
Enjoy!
