The rise and fall of DNA testing company 23andMe

Science Weekly

The Guardian

Science

4.2 • 938 Ratings

🗓️ 27 March 2025

⏱️ 23 minutes

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Summary

The genetic testing firm 23andMe has filed for bankruptcy, another twist in the story of a company that promised a pioneering approach to precision health. Now users are scrambling to delete their personal data, with the future ownership of the firm uncertain. To understand the highs and lows of 23andMe’s journey, Madeleine Finlay hears from the Guardian US tech reporter and editor Johana Bhuiyan, and from Timothy Caulfield, a professor of law at the University of Alberta, who has a special interest in health and biotechnology. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod

Transcript

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0:00.0	This is The Guardian.
0:10.1	The Brit School is natural in the next generation of breakthrough talent.
0:13.4	Like me, 24 graduate rapper and stillpan player, Ramaya.
0:18.5	My sound is old school hip-hop with a new twist.
0:21.3	I write lyrics that explore tough life experiences with melodies from my Caribbean culture.
0:26.0	Thanks to the Britschool and MasterCard, I'm turning dreams of becoming an artist into my future.
0:31.0	To find out more about MasterCard's work with the Britschew, visit mastercard.com.uk
0:35.1	slash Brits.
0:36.3	This message was paid for by Mastercard.
0:45.0	This is a story about you.
0:48.7	It starts with your DNA.
0:50.7	They promised to harness the genetic revolution and provide a brand new window into your health and ancestry.
1:00.4	I opened my email and 23 and me had identified.
1:04.9	I'm going to finally me, my siblings.
1:09.3	Millions of people around the world spat in cups and sent them off in the post,
1:15.4	hoping to discover more about themselves.
1:18.5	I found out about something that I could actually be proactive on.
1:23.3	It was really, really fortunate.
1:25.4	And maybe it saved my life to have, on a whim, done that test.
1:30.1	And for a long time, 23 and Me was a huge success.
1:35.3	But after many ups and downs and most of the company board resigning last year,
1:40.9	23 and Me has now filed for bankruptcy.
	...

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