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Genomic company 23andMe filed for bankruptcy in 2025 and will now auction off its assets, including the genetic data of roughly 15 million people around the world.
“The move is prompting fears over how individuals’ genetic data might be used under new ownership, as well as uncertainty for scientists who work with 23andMe. But some researchers say that science could benefit if a buyer were to seize the opportunity to optimize access to data for research,” Nature wrote in their coverage of the news.
Aside from the potential manipulation of the data of millions of bloodlines, researchers are worried they won’t be able to access the data for ongoing research. “If a future buyer is not interested in research collaborations, it would be a great shame that the potential this data holds for human health advances would not be realized,” said one researcher who already had their study with 23andMe canceled.
Who Wants To Buy Your Genetic Data?
There are several prospective buyers of 23andMe’s dataset, including the Peter Thiel-backed Nucleus Genomics, according to Fortune. The company considers itself “Netflix to 23andMe’s Blockbuster,” claiming to be able to identify health risks for more than 900 conditions for just a $400 test. (MORE POLLS: Did You Go to Church in March?)
The Sei Foundation, Pinnacle, and former 23andMe CEO Anne Wojcicki have also shown interest in purchasing the assets, but nothing has materialized as of yet. As CNN pointed out, genetic material does not have an expiration date, so the information could be used indefinitely into the future, so there is no immediate timelines necessary for the sale.
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