Submitted via IRC for BoyceMagooglyMonkey
23andMe has reached a deal with pharma giant GlaxoSmithKline, giving the company access to their (your) genetic data to potentially develop new drugs. Did they just sell us all out? Not exactly.
This isn't the first deal where 23andMe has allowed companies to use their (your) data for their research. The company makes up to $199 when you buy one of their spit kits and send in your DNA, but their business model has always depended on leveraging the data they amass as a result. The company has previously made similar, though smaller, deals with Genentech and Pfizer.
[...] The company doesn't technically hand over your data; analysts at 23andMe provide "summary statistics" to third parties. This is relatively safe, in theory, but if you're not sure how you feel about it, just click "Change Consent" under your account settings.
Source: https://vitals.lifehacker.com/what-you-re-really-agreeing-to-when-you-sign-up-for-23a-1828034397
(Score: 2) by DannyB on Tuesday August 07 2018, @02:40PM
It doesn't have to be cheaper to require it. Just make the customer pay for it. The point of the DNA sample isn't because the bank (nesecelery) wants your DNA, it is simply to erect one more roadblock to getting your money.
The lower I set my standards the more accomplishments I have.