Contributed by: Editor on Monday, June 01 2009 @ 08:53 am
Last modified on
We have discussed DNA dating before in previous stories which we mainly took a look at the dating site Scientific Match and how the actually process of DNA matching works. The Times Online has a detailed article called DNA dating: has science unlocked the secret of a perfect match? which expands on this and looks at other DNA based dating site like GenePartner.
GenePartner was started by Dr. Tamara Brown, a Croatian geneticist based in Zurich in the fall of 2008. For 5 years (2003-2007) she did research at the Swiss Institute for Behavioural Genetics were:
She believes she has found the attraction formula — based on patterns in the HLA genes — and turned it into a computer program, an algorithm that she is keeping to herself.
They currently charge $99 USD for a genetic match and at this moment have about 500 clients who come from the United States, Germany and the United Kingdom. When asked about her research and studies into DNA and matchmaking, Brown says she has no plans to publish it for scientific review until she has built up her clientele. She doesn't want to give her competitors any advantages. GenePartner also recently created a Facebook Application (just search for GenePartner on Facebook) to help boost member numbers. The App allows users to find out how biologically compatible you are and it also allows you to get tested directly through your facebook profile. Currently the GenePartner Facebook application has only 52 monthly active users.
One interesting topic which was brought up dealt with the protection of your DNA information when processed by a private genetics company. Since DNA testing is unregulated, some people fear this information could be sold to other companies. You wouldn't want your Insurance company to have your DNA results to find out what genetic problems you have. If they did, you could be discriminated against and denied health insurance. To fight this alarming issue, countries like the United States and Germany have passed laws which make it illegal for employers and health insurers to demand DNA tests or even be allowed to use a customer's genetic information against them. New York and California have gone even a step further and have ruled that genetic tests can only be ordered by a medical doctor, since it is a medical test.
Read the 4 page article to find out more about GenePartner, how it works and the science behind DNA matchmaking at Times Online UK.