While genealogical DNA testing can be marketed as a harmless and exciting way for people to learn more about their ancestral heritage, a Canadian researcher says there needs to be more support for those who receive unexpected results that can alter family relationships, asking questions about fatherhood and infidelity.
Robert Whitley, an associate professor of psychiatry at McGill University, is studying the psychosocial experiences of Canadians who receive startling news from DNA tests of ancestry, specifically “unexpected events for parents,” which is when someone is presumed to is the father of an individual is not. in fact the biological mother or father.
“You are meeting a family that you did not know existed, and this can be very disturbing psychologically and a great stress for mental health and family harmony,” he told CTVNews.ca on Friday in a telephone interview.
Whitley says it’s a more common scenario than one might think.
“Poorly attributed paternity estimates … are about two percent of the population, so this is affecting one in 50 people, maybe you could get this shocking news. It’s not an insignificant figure if you think about it. that millions of people are doing these tests, “he said.
Whitley said many people take genealogical DNA tests, such as those offered by companies like 23andMe and AncestryDNA, so they can better understand their heritage. However, the test results also connect users with anyone who is biologically related to them.
He noted that some people welcome him, excited at the prospect of meeting distant cousins, third or fourth, but others may know that their parents are not biologically related to them, which Whitley said may affect their health. long-term mental health.
“They’re not fully prepared for that because the people they’re dating are people who, until now, don’t know, and that’s creating a big psychological shock,” Whitley said.
He noted that this may be related to factors such as parental infidelity, adoption or sperm donation, all unexpected news that have the potential to break one’s identity.
“As a result, and from what we’ve learned so far, many people feel like they’re stranded on a ship in the ocean when faced with this situation because psychologists and therapists don’t have evidence-based practices that can help. people, “Whitley said.
This rupture with everyday life is called a biographical rupture. Whitley said this is known as an interruption of the narratives people have to understand themselves and the trajectory of their lives. Other examples may include divorce or job loss.
“It can completely affect your self-image, it can affect the harmony of your family relationships, it can raise big questions and existential doubts about who you are and where you’ve been in life and where you’re going in life.” Whitley explained.
With his research, which is funded by the nonprofit GenomeCanada, Whitley says his team aims to better understand the experience of those who receive shocking news of DNA testing from a mental health perspective. He says the data will then be used to help create new help resources for those who may face this situation in the future.
“One of the goals of the research is to really understand what problems people face, how they react as a result, and what they do to try to help themselves on their recovery journey,” he said.
For the research, Whitey wants to interview about 50 people later this year and then, in 2023, use the results to help create targeted therapies and resources. Those who have received amazing news about their affiliation with a genealogical DNA test and want to be part of the study can email Whitley directly to robert.whitley@mcgill.ca.
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Whitley said there is currently no specific guide for psychologists and therapists on how to help with “unexpected parenting” events, adding that it is worrisome as the popularity of DNA testing increases. and more advisors face these cases.
According to data from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) published in 2019, more than 26 million people have taken a genealogy DNA test.
“We know that some people have gone to psychologists [or] psychiatrists and just get the kind of generic treatment that some people get when they have problems, ”Whitley said.
He said those affected have also reported little help from DNA testing companies in such situations, and said companies should be more transparent and sincere about the associated risks.
AncestryDNA told CTVNews.ca on Friday in an email statement that it assumes responsibility for its customers and the potential impact of the “complex discoveries” of its test, “very seriously.”
“We have a small, dedicated group of highly experienced representatives who talk to clients with more sensitive inquiries,” a company spokesman said in the email.
It also provides a warning about unexpected online test results found in your privacy statement.
“You may discover unexpected facts about yourself or your family when you use our services,” Ancestry’s privacy statement says. “Once the discoveries are made, we can’t undo them.”
A 23andMe spokesman told CTVNews.ca on Friday in an email statement that it has “several measures” in place to help prepare customers for unexpected information and also gives them the option to know.
“First, we prepare customers with all the information they need in advance and inform them that taking the test can lead to unexpected and sometimes life-changing results,” the spokesman said. “We specifically state that you can discover things like ‘your father is not genetically your father’.”
23and I was told that the feature to connect to biological matches through testing is optional instead, but not all companies offer it. In addition, 23andMe said it has a customer service team that is “specifically trained” to help those who discover unexpected family members.
However, Whitley would like to see more standardization of mental health supports across Canada to help those receiving unexpected DNA testing results, as well as specific therapy specific to the needs of this group.
“It’s causing a lot of problems for a lot of people and really no one is talking about it in the public domain … I would like to take action on these issues, “Whitley said.
Whitley said he hopes his research will raise awareness that while DNA testing is being promoted as an “exciting discovery process,” there is a risk.
“The risk is that you can learn information, which is potentially shocking and can turn your world upside down,” he said. “It could be positive news, you could know that you have family relationships that you didn’t know about and that are great people … or it could be news that you’re really unprepared for, so … go on with caution.”