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23andMe lays off 100 people as DNA test sales decline

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Re: 23andMe lays off 100 people as DNA test sales decline

#271

Post by Aperocky »

killjoywashere wrote: post #177

The real risk in my mind is that this opens market space for Beijing-backed companies like Novogene in Sacramento. They will occupy that space and every adjacent space as fast as they can. They'll sequence your tumor genetics, or your germline to get a better read on you're kid's inherited disease. And you'll never know it because your doctor contracted with them, they signed a BAA (so it's all legal, right). And the…

This is true, however, please note that nobody except maybe your family will have your best interest in mind.

Re: 23andMe lays off 100 people as DNA test sales decline

#272

Post by heavyset_go »

blackswan101 wrote: post #156

Lots of layoffs happening recently: 23andme, stubhub, tripadvisor etc. Early indicators of a tech bubble?

Consumers have less purchasing power each year that goes by. I wouldn't bet my career on consumer tech in the long run.

Re: 23andMe lays off 100 people as DNA test sales decline

#274

Post by pas »

JacobAldridge wrote: post #194

I happily share my income and net worth figures online, post here and everywhere using my real name, and I’m even doing a podcast now sharing all the gory details of going through fertility treatment from the male perspective. There’s no way in the world I would allow a company, or any other person or entity, to voluntarily have my DNA.

If it could be bought somewhere with only a big QR code one it and prepaid stamped envelope, I might buy it abroad, spit into it, seal it, send it and check results over Tor later.

Re: 23andMe lays off 100 people as DNA test sales decline

#275

Post by chii »

killjoywashere wrote: post #177

The real risk in my mind is that this opens market space for Beijing-backed companies like Novogene in Sacramento. They will occupy that space and every adjacent space as fast as they can. They'll sequence your tumor genetics, or your germline to get a better read on you're kid's inherited disease. And you'll never know it because your doctor contracted with them, they signed a BAA (so it's all legal, right). And the…

this is why there needs to be laws about using and transferring information about you (biological or not). Regulation, and transparency prevents abuses.

If your sample was tested for trace genetic traits you didn't ask for, you have avenues to pursue if laws exists, but right now no such avenues are available.

Re: 23andMe lays off 100 people as DNA test sales decline

#276

Post by ryeguy_24 »

I received Ancestry DNA as a gift this year and have no desire to use it.

After reading the terms and conditions, I was amazed by how much they can share or resell the data. Beyond the privacy issue, I'm also not sure how much these services can add value to my life. Either knowing or not knowing where some of my 2^n ancestors (n being generations from me) are potentially (based on proxy information, not certain) originating from doesn't seem to do much for me.

Also, knowing health risks also doesn't do a whole lot for me as I already live a healthy life with the idea that living healthily will add years to my life. Do I want to know I'm predisposed to some disease in the future? Not really. Unless there are DNA-tailored pills you can take that reverse any potential DNA-driven issues coming my way, I'd rather not know.

Does anyone feel differently? Are they getting value from these services?

Re: 23andMe lays off 100 people as DNA test sales decline

#277

Post by prepend »

I did this almost 8 years ago for the health insights and recommended it to a few dozen friends and family because the UI was nice, they added new reports, and they were the only low cost provider at the time that let me export my data. I loved the service and found an unknown sibling through the site.

The FDA made them remove health insights so that made the service less useful.

But two years ago they started selling data to pharmaceuticals. They claim it is opt in, but I have a hard time believing them. And they prompt me to opt in about once a month. I no longer recommend.

Re: 23andMe lays off 100 people as DNA test sales decline

#278

Post by YinLuck- »

Ohn0 wrote: post #149
bobthepanda wrote: post #82

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Honestly, I would also say that a partial reason why these would've dropped is that everyone who can do it has done it. You only need these kinds of results once because your DNA doesn't change. I knew people who were giving or had gotten these as gifts, but those are one-off purchases. And if you've heard of people doing it then you'll do it too but that's also a one-off. I don't think I'd personally benefit because…

They need a SaaS! Monthly/yearly subscription to updates of some sort

23andMe actually had a subscription service when they launched. I was one of the earlier customers and remember having to pay monthly to continue to access my reports. What 23andMe needs is a premium full sequence service rather than today's limited one. I'd pay ~$1k for a full genome sequence.

Re: 23andMe lays off 100 people as DNA test sales decline

#279

Post by refurb »

ab_testing wrote: post #145
zyang wrote: post #110

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I did it 6/7 years ago because the novelty, and enthusiastically recommended it to family and friends. Now I regret doing it considering how Google and Facebook has abused consumer data. I definitely would not submit my kids to the same fate.

If your kids were born in the United States,the states already has their genetic information. https://www.babysfirsttest.org/newborn-screening/states

Indeed! Nearly every state does a heal prick of newborns and screens their DNA for a host of genetic disorders.

Re: 23andMe lays off 100 people as DNA test sales decline

#280

Post by refurb »

thatfrenchguy wrote: post #186
ab_testing wrote: post #145

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If your kids were born in the United States,the states already has their genetic information. https://www.babysfirsttest.org/newborn-screening/states

I trust the government more than a for profit corp for this.

Sure, but a for-profit Corp can’t arrest you, in prison you, or take away your rights.
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