4 ms·

Naïvely speaking, 23andMe cannot trade your data to anybody...

koheripbal 5y ago
They obviously cooperate with subpoenas they receive, and I would not ve surprised if a data breach happens at some point I wonder if there is an anonymous version of the service.
- bpodgursky 5y ago
  There is absolutely no way an insurance company would risk using stolen genetic data to tweak their premiums. Would they love to buy the data legally? Of course. But they are not going to buy it off of Russian hackers.
PicassoCTs 5y ago
https://www.businessinsider.com/why-gsk-invested-300-million-in-23andme-genetic-drug-discovery-collaboration-2018-7?r=DE&IR=T https://www.businessinsider.com/why-gsk-invested-300-million... They sell it to drug makers for studies.. and if they sell metadata to this pairing (drug + your id) this is a giveaway for inherited genetic diseases.
- BurningFrog 5y ago
  It's hard for me to be upset at my data helping cure disease and save lives like this.
  - charia 5y ago
    It's very naive to assume it'll only ever be used for benevolent purposes. The situation the above commenter was bringing up was that in the near future your genetic information has a good chance of being used by insurance companies pre-judge you, your offspring and your relatives to raise or lower healthcare rates based on information found in that data.
    - frutiger 5y ago
      > pre-judge you If it’s based off accurate genetic data, is it still prejudgment? We already accept that car insurance is higher for young males without getting mad about it. Using all available data to make a proper risk assessment seems like a reasonable thing to do.
    - DangitBobby 5y ago
      I see this as an extension of the idea that we should not be the sole bearer of the consequences of burdens that are not our fault. Where is the fairness in my having both a shortened lifespan and the financial devastation of a chronic, terminal illness? There is none. (This was meant as a reply to a sibling comment but the "reply" button is absent).
      - BurningFrog 5y ago
        If your genetics predispose you for a shorter life, you can benefit financially by not having to save for retirement.
        DangitBobby 5y ago
        Genetic predisposition is not a sure thing, so I think most people would still save for retirement, genetics aside. I'm somewhat convinced that I will die young of health complications or social strife in the wake of global warming, but I am still saving for retirement. In any case, I think it is unreasonable to claim that it evens out somehow. It's unfortunate that most people don't learn how strong an advantage it is to be in good health until they aren't anymore.
        BurningFrog 5y ago
        I was more thinking that you could buy a cheaper pension plan if you're expected to die at 70 rather than 85, on average. The pension company can handle the uncertainty, since it averages out.
    - oh_sigh 5y ago
scrapcode 5y ago
Since it has already been brought up... is there a hypothetical way to anonymously submit your data? Say, an alias and using a Visa gift card, perhaps?
- wmiel 5y ago
  Even if there was, you need to be aware that the DNA has much more personal information than your name and surname, there can be multiple Joe Does, but probably just you with your DNA. Also Joe Doe doesn't tell anything about your race, sex, appearance, nor conditions while DNA can. Using the DNA you can be traced even if you submit it anonymously e.g. one of your relatives may upload their DNA which will point to you.
  - thaumasiotes 5y ago
    > Also Joe Doe doesn't tell anything about your race, sex, appearance, nor conditions while DNA can. Strange thing to say. Joe Doe is male, and Anglophone.

They obviously cooperate with subpoenas they receive, and I would not ve surprised if a data breach happens at some point I wonder if there is an anonymous version of the service.

bpodgursky 5y ago
There is absolutely no way an insurance company would risk using stolen genetic data to tweak their premiums. Would they love to buy the data legally? Of course. But they are not going to buy it off of Russian hackers.

PicassoCTs 5y ago

https://www.businessinsider.com/why-gsk-invested-300-million-in-23andme-genetic-drug-discovery-collaboration-2018-7?r=DE&IR=T https://www.businessinsider.com/why-gsk-invested-300-million... They sell it to drug makers for studies.. and if they sell metadata to this pairing (drug + your id) this is a giveaway for inherited genetic diseases.

BurningFrog 5y ago
It's hard for me to be upset at my data helping cure disease and save lives like this.
- charia 5y ago
  It's very naive to assume it'll only ever be used for benevolent purposes. The situation the above commenter was bringing up was that in the near future your genetic information has a good chance of being used by insurance companies pre-judge you, your offspring and your relatives to raise or lower healthcare rates based on information found in that data.
  - frutiger 5y ago
    > pre-judge you If it’s based off accurate genetic data, is it still prejudgment? We already accept that car insurance is higher for young males without getting mad about it. Using all available data to make a proper risk assessment seems like a reasonable thing to do.
  - DangitBobby 5y ago
    I see this as an extension of the idea that we should not be the sole bearer of the consequences of burdens that are not our fault. Where is the fairness in my having both a shortened lifespan and the financial devastation of a chronic, terminal illness? There is none. (This was meant as a reply to a sibling comment but the "reply" button is absent).
    - BurningFrog 5y ago
      If your genetics predispose you for a shorter life, you can benefit financially by not having to save for retirement.
      - DangitBobby 5y ago
        Genetic predisposition is not a sure thing, so I think most people would still save for retirement, genetics aside. I'm somewhat convinced that I will die young of health complications or social strife in the wake of global warming, but I am still saving for retirement. In any case, I think it is unreasonable to claim that it evens out somehow. It's unfortunate that most people don't learn how strong an advantage it is to be in good health until they aren't anymore.
        BurningFrog 5y ago
        I was more thinking that you could buy a cheaper pension plan if you're expected to die at 70 rather than 85, on average. The pension company can handle the uncertainty, since it averages out.
  - oh_sigh 5y ago

scrapcode 5y ago

Since it has already been brought up... is there a hypothetical way to anonymously submit your data? Say, an alias and using a Visa gift card, perhaps?

wmiel 5y ago
Even if there was, you need to be aware that the DNA has much more personal information than your name and surname, there can be multiple Joe Does, but probably just you with your DNA. Also Joe Doe doesn't tell anything about your race, sex, appearance, nor conditions while DNA can. Using the DNA you can be traced even if you submit it anonymously e.g. one of your relatives may upload their DNA which will point to you.
- thaumasiotes 5y ago
  > Also Joe Doe doesn't tell anything about your race, sex, appearance, nor conditions while DNA can. Strange thing to say. Joe Doe is male, and Anglophone.