State AGs sue 23andMe over auction, say don't sell customer DNA

More than two dozen states are suing the genetic testing company 23andMe over its proposed bankruptcy sale

They say customers didn't sign up to have their DNA sold to the highest bidder

The company holds biological samples, DNA data, health-related traits, and medical records

The attorneys argue it can't be sold like ordinary property. So what's going to happen to all that private information? We've got answers

There are two bidders, Regeneron, a biotech company, and the non-profit medical research

organization TTAM Research Institute, which was founded by former 23andMe CEO Ann Wachicki

They are both American enterprises and both agreed to keep the current privacy and consent

policies in place. Not only did they say they're not going to change anything

they also agreed to that in their contract, which is an asset purchase agreement

and writing. 23andMe says it never shares data without users' consent, gives customers control

over their data-sharing preferences, and stores personal information and genetic data separately

to protect identity. All of your personal information, meaning your name, your address

your email was in a separate database that was stored separately that very few people could connect it then with the genetic information Sel Savage says the storage of genetic information is both digital and physical and can be deleted or destroyed at the customer request

The system is not perfect. In 2019, the Pentagon told all service members not to use consumer DNA kits

because sharing personal sense of genetic information with outside parties poses personal and operational risks

In October 2023, it was revealed 23andMe experienced a cyber attack that affected approximately 7 million customers

Now there are concerns that the data could fall into the hands of a foreign adversary, particularly China

I do not believe that 23andMe in this bankruptcy process should go to anyone with a Chinese tie

Wuji Healthcare Ventures invested $10 million in 23andMe, and Regeneron has multiple exclusive licensing deals with Chinese healthcare companies

I am concerned about China and how China is leading in biotechnology

and I am concerned that China has been super clear that they would like to

have the most genetic information they would like to lead. There will be another round of bidding in the coming days

and they're scheduled to have a sale hearing in bankruptcy court on June 17th

I'm Ray Bogan for Straight Arrow News. For more reporting, download the SAN app