Broadcaster: BBC Radio4
Year: 2023-24
Genre: Documentary, Factual
Duration: Seven 28 minutes episodes
Personal genetic tests have become a popular present to give to relatives. These are often taken quite lightheartedly – a chance to see how “Viking you are” or to investigate geographical origins. As this series researched and presented by Jenny Kleeman demonstrates, however, there can be rather more at stake than meets the eye.
The original series of six episodes was broadcast in 2023. A seventh episode was added in February 2024, after it had been revealed that popular service 23andMe had experienced a very significant data breach.
Episode 1: Fraud https://learningonscreen.ac.uk/ondemand/index.php/clip/241406
A DNA test given as a present reveals a scandal
Episode 2: Justice https://learningonscreen.ac.uk/ondemand/index.php/clip/251663
A son’s quest to find out more about his late father leads to information about a shocking crime
Episode 3: Mistakes https://learningonscreen.ac.uk/ondemand/index.php/clip/251664
Did a fertility clinic accidentally muddle up samples from two couples?
Episode 4: Race https://learningonscreen.ac.uk/ondemand/index.php/clip/251665
A home genetic test user discovers their racial identity isn’t what they thought
Episode 5: Health https://learningonscreen.ac.uk/ondemand/index.php/clip/251666
What happens if a genetic test reveals some unwelcome news about your future health?
Episode 6: Secrets https://learningonscreen.ac.uk/ondemand/index.php/clip/251667
A genetic test brings family relationships into doubt
Episode 7: Hacked https://learningonscreen.ac.uk/ondemand/index.php/clip/251668
A bonus episode, triggered by the news that 23andMe had been hacked and genetic data about millions of customers made available on the dark web.
At the time of writing, all episodes are available on BBC Sounds.
Biology on the Box 