Pharmaceutical giant Regeneron has emerged as the winning bidder for consumer genetics company 23andMe in a court-supervised bankruptcy sale, securing control of a vast database containing the genetic information of over 15 million individuals.
The acquisition has ignited a firestorm of concern among privacy advocates and experts who warn that the transaction could lead to the exploitation of highly sensitive personal data.
According to 23andMe’s existing privacy policies, user data can be transferred as part of a sale, raising fears that the genetic and health information of millions will now be treated as a corporate asset by Regeneron. This prospect has drawn sharp criticism from consumer watchdogs.
RELATED: Florida Attorney General Issues Alert Following 23andMe Bankruptcy Filing
J.B. Branch, a Big Tech accountability advocate for Public Citizen, issued a strongly worded statement condemning the acquisition. “This is a genetic data fire sale. It should set off alarm bells for anyone who’s ever spit in a tube and sent their DNA off to Silicon Valley,” Branch stated. “One of the largest personal DNA databases on Earth is being sold off in bankruptcy court, and Americans have virtually no control over how their most sensitive health information will be used, stored, or exploited going forward.”
Branch emphasized the deeply personal nature of genetic information, arguing, “Your DNA and your family health history should not be a corporate asset. Yet the day has come where a consumer’s genetic blueprint can be packaged, auctioned, and monetized.”
While Regeneron is expected to adhere to 23andMe’s existing privacy policies and legal requirements regarding consent, critics remain skeptical. “Of course, Regeneron will promise to ‘respect consent’ and ‘uphold privacy policies.’ Those are bare minimal legal requirements. But time and again these companies fail consumers,” Branch cautioned. “This is exactly what happens when Congress fails to pass strong digital privacy laws. Genetic data is being treated like a disposable business asset. It’s unethical and dangerous.”
RELATED: California AG Issues Urgent Alert: 23andMe Customers Urged To Delete Genetic Data
The acquisition underscores the ongoing debate surrounding data privacy in the digital age, particularly concerning highly sensitive health and genetic information. Advocates are now urgently calling on lawmakers to take action to protect consumer data.
“Congress must wake up. We need federal laws that lock down sensitive health and genetic data with ironclad protections,” Branch asserted. “Until it acts, Big Pharma and Big Tech will keep playing hot potato with your DNA.”
The sale is subject to final court approval. Once finalized, Regeneron will gain access to an unprecedented wealth of genetic data that could potentially fuel its drug discovery and development efforts. However, the ethical implications of a pharmaceutical giant controlling such a massive trove of personal genetic information are likely to remain a significant point of contention.
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