Judge Approves 23andMe Sale to Nonprofit Led by Its Founder
So, big news just broke in the world of genetic testing and personal data privacy — and it's got a lot of people talking. A federal bankruptcy judge has officially approved the sale of 23andMe to a nonprofit led by none other than its original co-founder, Anne Wojcicki. If you've ever spat in a tube to find out your ancestry or health risks, this directly concerns you. Here’s why this is such a huge deal.
23andMe, once a trailblazer in consumer genetic testing, had hit financial trouble and filed for bankruptcy. That opened the door for potential buyers to scoop up not just the company, but its most valuable asset: the DNA data of over 15 million people. Initially, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals won an auction to buy 23andMe for $256 million. That immediately raised red flags — both among the public and from more than two dozen U.S. states. The idea that a pharmaceutical company could gain access to millions of genetic profiles made many people uneasy, despite Regeneron’s assurances it would respect privacy agreements.
Also Read:- Jury Deadlocked on Racketeering Charge in Diddy’s Explosive Trial
- Del Monte Files for Bankruptcy After 138 Years of Serving American Pantries
The core issue? DNA isn’t just another asset like real estate or office chairs — it’s personal, permanent, and uniquely sensitive. States sued to block the deal, arguing that this type of data should never be sold in bankruptcy proceedings without stricter oversight. And let’s not forget: this comes after a 2023 data breach exposed genetic info of millions of users, particularly from Chinese and Ashkenazi Jewish communities. That only deepened public anxiety.
So, in a twist, the court reopened the bidding — and this time, TTAM Research Institute won with a $305 million offer. TTAM, created by Anne Wojcicki, aims to keep the data under tight privacy controls and continue using it for medical research, not profit. They’ve promised to let users delete their data at any time and to even improve existing privacy policies.
Still, not everyone’s convinced. Five states — including California and Texas — remain opposed and may still appeal. Some customers, like Kyle, who found out about his Ashkenazi Jewish roots through the service, have already deleted their data out of fear it could be misused, despite the change in ownership. His concerns highlight a deeper cultural and historical sensitivity to genetic tracking and profiling.
The judge, Brian Walsh, admitted the whole situation is unsettling. He even said that selling genetic data is “a scary proposition,” but legally allowed, unless legislation says otherwise. His ruling hinted at a broader need for national laws that treat DNA data with the seriousness it deserves — something many experts have been calling for.
Bottom line? The sale to TTAM might be the safest option available right now, especially compared to the alternative of corporate ownership. But it doesn’t erase the concerns about how vulnerable our most personal data really is — or the need for laws that catch up with the biotech era we’re living in. This case isn’t just about one company — it’s a wake-up call about who owns your DNA and what can happen to it when companies collapse.
Read More:
0 Comments