Tinfoil hat time. 23andMe, the company known for DNA testing, is facing serious financial troubles. The stock is in jeopardy of being removed from trading, and it recently closed its unit for developing drugs in-house, laying off many employees in the process. The CEO is now considering selling the company, which could include selling the genetic data of its 15 million customers. This data, filled with genetic information, has been used to connect relatives and reveal family histories, but its future is uncertain amidst the company’s financial struggles. This much DNA information, attached to names, addresses, and more, could be used in ways customers never expected, nor can be predicted now. Current agreements and promises say that your data will not be used without your permission, but the new owners could easily change that stance, legally. What’s your DNA nightmare?
The company is in trouble, and anyone who has spit into one of the company’s test tubes should be concerned.
Found at www.theatlantic.com
