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Is the concept of DNA (Genetic) Identity Theft reality or fiction? If such concept is fiction now, there is no question that it will become reality in the future. Most of what you can possibly imagine, will one day become reality; it is only a matter of time. "Fiction-Fiction" is what we cannot even imagine today, and yet will become one day a reality. Obviously, we cannot provide examples of current "Fiction-Fiction", but the Internet would have been "Fiction-Fiction" 1000 years ago.  

Jules Verne, the French author who pioneered science-fiction (sorry Hollywood....) , dreamed about innovations considered impossible in his time. Submarines, air travel, space travel, and more were featured in his many books such as "Around The World in Eighty Days" and "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The Sea." None of such innovations actually existed in his day (he was born in 1828). Similarly, given the wide spread of Identity Theft, and the groundbreaking innovations in DNA research and cloning, DNA Identity Theft may already exist, and if not, will definitely exist in the future; not only will it exist, but it will also become a major problem. We do not need to prove such possibility, as long as we can imagine it...

How do consumers protect themselves against DNA Identity Theft? Such question will undoubtedly pre-occupy us for the next Century. The greatest risk of DNA Identity Theft is its implications on A-criminal investigations and B- the balance of power. In a world where DNA evidence has become admissible in court, DNA Identity Theft could ultimately result in the elimination of such practice, or possibly the conviction of innocent victims (see Brandon Kein's Wired article: "Genetic Identity Theft and DNA-Based Convictions", July 25 2007 - link provided at end of this article).

In addition, could you imagine how tempting it would be for countries to clone existing dictators and their offsprings (or other people), and possibly kidnap the real dictator and replace him/her with the clone? In the pursuit of Global Domination, wouldn't such practice be substantially less costly than waging wars? Could such practise also be implemented against your political foes in your own country? If DNA Identity Theft was known and prominent 8 years ago, could Bill Clinton have claimed "That Woman" (Monica Lewinsky) had framed him in a case of DNA (Genetic) Identity Theft?

So how do you protect yourself against DNA Identity Theft? The best way to protect yourself against a crime is to understand how the criminal mind works. Since we may be in the realm of fiction here, it makes sense to consult fiction:  the 1997 movie Gattaca, starring Uma Thurman and Ethan Hawke. In a "fictional" world dominated by genetic selection, the film's star,  a less than ordinary man with a congenital heart condition, assumes the identity of a healthy athlete with excellent genes. His objective is to be selected as an astronaut in order to fulfill his dream of space travel. Such genetic Identity Theft is accomplished by substituting the athlete's blood and hair for DNA tests.

In order not to be exposed as an imposter, our character had to go to extreme measures in order to make certain his real DNA never falls into anyone's hands; daily body brushing to avoid skin flaking, repeated hair brushing to prevent losing a single hair while at work, etc... Does that mean we are going to do the same? Highly unlikely... Unfortunately, it is extremely difficult for us to protect our DNA. We certainly may be able to avoid providing blood samples, urine samples, and more, but if we do so, will we be able to secure proper medical care? Can we ever guarantee that a hair will not fall off our head (or body in case we are bold...)?

DNA (Genetic) Identity Theft is extremely difficult to defend against. Ultimately, such implication could render any circumstantial DNA evidence (results ) totally useless. Maybe we do not need to worry about DNA (Genetic) Identity Theft; once it becomes a prominent problem, DNA testing for selection or Identification purposes will simply lose its credibility.