23andMe is out of bankruptcy. You should still delete your DNA
20 comments
·July 17, 2025ks2048
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willcipriano
I put a fake name in when I signed up.
Good luck blue cross.
echelon
> you will not get insured (or have high rates) because you have {some genetic condition}..
s/insured/hired
Wait until we have DNA detectors wired up to collect the DNA we exhale and rapid sequencers that handle what might be below the limit of detection today.
Maybe that's fifty years down the road, but it's coming.
Gattaca was a prescient premonition, it was just a hundred years ahead of its time.
ks2048
Yes, I can imagine those dystopias - my point was that I don't imagine my choice to try 23andMe in 2019 is what dooms me - while others are saved by not making that choice.
hammyhavoc
What makes you believe this is coming? What evidence points to this inevitability?
hirvi74
Can one even truly delete their DNA from 23andMe? Wouldn't deleting someone's DNA require deleting not only the existing record, but also the record from all historical back-ups too? What is to say 23andMe just doesn't flip a bit in their database and claim one's DNA is (soft) deleted?
barisozmen
I started doing a relevant project https://github.com/barisozmen/securegenomics . Because I believe 23andMe event will result in people to be more wary of sharing their genetic data, and we need ways to make people able to contribute in genetic research without exposing their data.
jmole
Is there any intrinsic value whatsoever in the DNA or SNPs themselves? Or is it just the link between your name and your DNA that is so concerning?
It seems like you could do lots of useful things without having a name attached to any particular sample. There must be some kind of differential privacy approach here that would work well.
PaulHoule
When people say "data is the new oil", I think https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exxon_Valdez_oil_spill
Is the best way to hasten the next bankruptcy to not delete your data?
kazinator
The idea that someone who cares about their personal data should happily give it to a company as long as they are not near bankruptcy is absurd.
seanvelasco
i'm curious, what's the worst-case scenario if one were to put their whole DNA data exposed publicly? would a future civilization re-make your image? or are there societal benefits?
kstrauser
For example, long-term care, and disability insurance aren’t blocked at the federal level from discrimination based on DNA. If they suspect you might get bad arthritis some day, they can block you from insurance (barring state laws saying otherwise).
wslh
Clearly, one risk is that your DNA, or that of a close relative could be linked to a crime, even if you weren't directly involved.
hammyhavoc
DNA isn’t guilt by association. Cops still need real evidence—this isn’t CSI fan fiction.
vpShane
[dead]
ulfw
Deleted it years ago. Don't trust any of them to actually have deleted it.
socalgal2
I signed up for 23andme to specifically make my DNA available. I believe that more DNA = more cures
Note: I'm not saying you should not delete your DNA. Do what you want over course. I'm just saying for me, I signed up, fully expected my DNA to be used to conduct research. That fact that I could get interesting graphs and some health info was just a bonus for me
ProAm
Now that they have been 'sold and bought' I dont believe any of the contractual agreements have to be kept. And since the old CEO just bought the company I can only imagine the worse in terms of data to sell.
I do worry about my data with them, but when I think about the worst-case scenario - you will not get insured (or have high rates) because you have {some genetic condition}.. it seems just as likely that they will simply require my DNA to apply for insurance. (or get my DNA from a blood test within their system, etc.).
The obvious solution is with legislation for transparency and better health care system.