Name: 23andMe and Genentech: What does it mean for their customers?
Uploaded: 2015-01-09
Duration: 1 min 32 s
Description: 23andMe and Genentech: What does it mean for their customers?

Genin Tech is reportedly paying the personal genomics company 23 and Me up to 60 million dollars for access to its customers. The purpose is Parkinson's research. Robert, should people be upset? Upset? No. This is what people signed up for. This has been a part of 23 and Me's business model since day 1. Here's the thing though. Genetech wants to make another ask of people. Instead of having a partial genome sequence, which is what 23andme did, Genetech wants a full genome sequence. They also want the data to be individualised rather than in aggregate, as a part of a whole. And that's reason for pause. Well look, I mean, 23andme, ever since twenty thirteen when the FDA ordered it to stop sending health results to its customers, look, they could use some income and what better revenue stream. Then selling personal genetic information to a company like Genitech. That's a great point. But here's the thing, with individualized data, there's a possibility of it down the line being associated with somebody. The risk of identification is real. And this is DNA we're talking about. DNA. This is the blueprint to your body. This is the core essence of your being. It is very valuable data. All right. All right. But, but look, there are altruistic reasons that we can get on board with this. Yeah, I mean look, we can't get curious without this sharing this kind of information with companies like Genentech. That's what they do, they are biotech companies, what do you say to that? Customers of 23 and Me and now, Gen and Tech, should not make this decision lightly, they should understand the implications of what they are doing. That's a fair point, for one show you never have to decode, come to Fortune. com for more Tech TV. [ MUSIC ]