23andMe to Share DNA data with GlaxoSmithKline

Andrew Donaldson

Born and raised in West Virginia, Andrew has been the Managing Editor of Ordinary Times since 2018, is a widely published opinion writer, and appears in media, radio, and occasionally as a talking head on TV. He can usually be found misspelling/misusing words on Twitter@four4thefire. Andrew is the host of Heard Tell podcast. Subscribe to Andrew'sHeard Tell Substack for free here:

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4 Responses

  1. fillyjonk says:

    My employer has a “health questionnaire” we can do in order to get $250 off our deductible for the year. I have never done it because I am concerned there’s not enough privacy on our data. And I don’t fancy Jenny Craig or whatever damn diet plan they’ve decided to “partner” with spamming me about weight-loss. (I know I need to lose some, I just don’t want my wallet to get lighter along with my butt). Or getting endless “wellness” spam about reducing stress and doing more exercise because I have high blood pressure.

    Oh, I expect that kind of targeted stuff is coming, but I want to stave it off as long as possible.

    A colleague of mine with fewer privacy concerns and less….delicacy….about bodily functions than I have took the questionnaire and described it as “intrusive,” and that’s enough to tell me I don’t want to do it until I must do it.

    I’ve long been curious about my ethnic makeup (though I can guess and I also know those tests aren’t that accurate) but what kept me from doing any testing was “Who’s gonna get my data and what are they gonna do with it?” This doesn’t allay my concerns. Even if the data are allegedly only used in aggregate and anonymously….well, think of all the places that have had credit card number breaches…Report

  2. Jaybird says:

    This strikes me as something that I hate very, very much in 2018 but the me that would live in 2118 would be very glad that they did this 100 years ago.Report

    • I sort of had the same thought. The DNA thing doesn’t bother me, as the government took a sample during basic training so whatever can be gleaned from that I’m sure has been by now. But I can see how people would be uneasy to upset by it. We will see how it plays out.Report

  3. Damon says:

    You know…

    Over 15 years ago I quit my job because the FAA was requiring all contractors to get finger printed and compete a 30-50 page report on their travel, birth place, etc. It was, essentially, a “light security clearance”. Of course, my company made it a condition of employment. So I quit. No one needs that info and I damn sure am not giving them my finger prints to sit around in AFIS.

    You think I’m getting genetic testing when that stuff is going to be put into the same type of database or for research that will cure cancer with my DNA and I’ll never get a dime for it? Not on your life.Report