It could be a nosy neighbor questioning your ancestry. Perhaps it's a lover who's curious if you carry a gene for male pattern baldness, or a rich grandparent checking if you're genetically related.
All it takes to find out is a sample of DNA, or a person's hereditary material, and some inexpensive testing. But experts warn thefts of DNA from a strand of hair or an item you touched are increasingly more likely, and you can become a victim without ever knowing it, reported Tribune Media Services.
Florida lawmakers, hearing concerns about this new risk of technological underhandedness and personal privacy breaches, are poised to make the unlawful use of DNA a more serious crime.
A bill seeks to discourage the unauthorized use of DNA by changing it from a misdemeanor to a felony punishable by up to five years in prison. That could make it one of the toughest such laws in the nation.
Some legitimate purposes and exceptions are to continue: Police detectives may collect DNA during investigations, and family law courts can order DNA tests to establish paternity.
"This legislation is a first step to deter individuals who might steal DNA to gain access to your private information and then use it against you," said Rep. Josie Tomkow, R-Polk City, Florida.
Yet it's unclear how prevalent DNA abuses have been, and whether any people have been prosecuted in the state under the existing law. Still, authorities say the potential is high, thanks to a proliferation of widely available genetic testing kits that have come on the market.
