American representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Jan Schakowsky sent letters to two potential buyers of the restless genetic test of 23andme requiring details about the privacy of consumer data if any of them purchased the company.
The letters signed by 20 other democratic members of the Congress were sent to Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and TTAM Research Institute, which submitted separate offers for the purchase of 23andme. In letters, they ask Regeneron and TTAM whether they will continue to give customers the option to delete their data and withdraw their consent to operate their data in medical research. They also want to know if the current 23ndme rule regarding not sharing genetic data with law enforcement agencies without an order will be maintained, and whether both entities intend to notify 23andme customers about sales proactively.
After years of struggle to make a profit, 23andme applied for bankruptcy protection in March and issued his assets for sale. Shortly afterwards, its general director Anne Wojcicki gave up. Wojcicki unsuccessfully tried to take a private company, but its proposals were rejected by a special committee created by the Council of Directors of 23andme.
In May, Regeneron Biotechnology announced that she was recognized as a successful bidder at the bankruptcy auction, offering $ 256 million for the acquisition of 23andme. “We believe that we can aid in providing and using 23 and using the mission to aid people interested in learning their own DNA and how to improve their personal health, while increasing regeneron’s efforts, said George Yancopoulos, Cofoundes and Chief Officer of Regeneron, to improve society and prevent diseases in general Company statement last month.
But after closing the auction, Wojcicki submitted an offer of its own offer $ 305 million through the newly created Non -Profit organization, TTAM Research Institute. The offer prompted the federal referee to re -open the sales process, and now both Regeneron and TTAM will have the opportunity to submit the final offer.
Founded in 2006, 23andme was a pioneer in the field of personal genomics thanks to DNA test sets that allow clients to learn about their origin, family connections and a certain medical risk after sending a SPIT sample. Despite the sale of over 12 million DNA test sets, the company has never achieved profitability and tried to diversify its streams of revenues after making public in 2021 in a different blow to the company, a serious violation of data in 2023 revealed personal data of millions of customers, including a leak, which was directed on users with Chinese and Ashkenazi Jewish.
The new owner of 23andme acquired a huge group of genetic data, asking questions about how to use this data. In current 23ndme policy, customers can provide their genetic data and other personal data for medical examinations. They also have the ability to delete all their data and direct 23andme to destroy the saliva sample. Members of the Congress who sent the letters on Thursday are looking for clarity from Regeneron and Wojcicki, or plan to continue these practices.
SIGNEES are also concerned about genetic data made available to law enforcement agencies and immigration bodies as well as the possibilities of using genetic and other personal data to train AI models. They also ask for regeneron and ttam to disclose the full list of all third parties that currently have access to 23ndme data, and both entities will take steps to ensure the transparency of third -party access in the future. 23andme earlier he had many years of research cooperation with the Glaxosmithkline pharmaceutical giant.
Representatives ask Regener and TTAM for a response until June 26.
Wojcicki and temporary director of 23ndme Joe Selsavage testified during Chamber’s supervision committee This week on fears about privacy and national security regarding the sale of 23andme. During this hearing, Selsavage told the legislators that 1.9 million people, or about 15 percent of the customer base, asked to delete genetic data from the company’s servers since the application for bankruptcy was submitted in March.
This week, more than two dozens of states and the Colombia district filed a lawsuit against 23andme, arguing that the company cannot at the auction of 15 million clients of very confidential personal genetic information without their consent or knowledge.