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KQED's Forum

Should You Be Giving Your DNA to Consumer Health Companies?

Oct 25, 2024
Kristen V. Brown, a staff writer for The Atlantic, and Hank Greely, a Stanford law professor, dive into the booming world of consumer DNA testing. They discuss the surprising limitations of tests from companies like 23andMe and the serious privacy risks involved. Discover the implications when these companies vanish and the fate of your genetic data. The conversation also unpacks existing legal protections, the ethics of collecting DNA, and the balance between potential health insights and privacy concerns.
58:03

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Consumer genetic testing offers insights into ancestry and health risks, yet concerns about data security and privacy breaches remain significant.
  • The fate of genetic data collected by companies like 23andMe raises critical questions about user privacy in the event of corporate failures.

Deep dives

Consumer Genetic Testing and Data Privacy

Consumer genetic testing has grown rapidly, allowing individuals to gain insights into their ancestry, health risks, and food sensitivities in exchange for biological samples. However, the hacking of companies like 23andMe, which exposed personal data of millions, raises significant concerns about the security of genetic information. Once genetic data is out in the world, it becomes vulnerable, and while companies may implement protections, the risk remains that personal information could be exploited in unforeseen ways. This vulnerability is exacerbated by the growing understanding of genetics, making such information increasingly valuable to various entities beyond the individual.

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