Attorney General James Sues 23andMe to Protect New Yorkers’ Genetic Data
ag.ny.gov
NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James and a bipartisan coalition of 27 other attorneys general filed a lawsuit against 23andMe to protect
  • Pnut@lemm.eeEnglish
    1·
    8 days ago

    I tried explaining this to my family. The legal documents you have to agree to should be a huge red flag when all you get is “you are caucasian”.

    • baltakatei@sopuli.xyzEnglish
      0·
      8 days ago

      I was familiar with how their single-nucleotide polymorphism fingerprinting worked in principle when I submitted my sample. So, I was not surprised when my report indicated majority Native American (both my parents were born in the Navajo Nation).

      As for preventing misuse of the genetic profile 23andMe built, the primary legal protection is the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (GINA) which prohibits insurance providers and employers from discriminating against patients and employees based upon disorders that are correlated with their genetic information. I believe it is prudent for people to examine their own genetic information in detail. I believe the legal protection GINA offers is sufficient for SNP profiling. I also believe as genetic profiling technology improves, the principles of non-discrimination set by GINA should be peotected with additional legislation.

  • toiletobserver@lemmy.worldEnglish
    1·
    8 days ago

    I’m totally shocked that a corporation would do something as scummy and predictable as this. Shocked I tell you!

    • 52fighters@lemmy.sdf.orgEnglish
      0·
      8 days ago

      The sale is the entire company and assets to Regeneron Pharmaceuticals.

      NPR reported in this issue:

      Regeneron Pharmaceuticals said last month it aimed to buy the company for $256 million. Regeneron said it would comply with 23andMe’s privacy policies and applicable law. It said it would process all customer personal data in accordance with the consents, privacy policies and statements, terms of service, and notices currently in effect and have security controls in place designed to protect such data.

      I don’t know much about Regeneron Pharmaceuticals but previously I read from others here that they represent the best case scenario.