Regeneron Pharmaceuticals emerged as the top bidder in the court-supervised sale of 23andMe, securing access to a vast reservoir of genetic data from approximately 15 million individuals. This acquisition has triggered concerns in Washington, DC, prompting a bipartisan effort by lawmakers to introduce a bill aimed at enhancing protections for genetic data in bankruptcy situations.
Republican Senators John Cornyn and Chuck Grassley, alongside Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar, are set to unveil the Don’t Sell My DNA Act, a bipartisan initiative designed to safeguard consumers’ sensitive genetic information. The bill comes in response to heightened privacy worries following 23andMe’s recent bankruptcy and subsequent $256 million asset sale to Regeneron.
In response to these developments, the proposed bill includes provisions such as adding genetic data to the definition of “personally identifiable information” in the bankruptcy code, requiring explicit consumer consent before the sale or lease of genetic data during bankruptcy, and mandating prior written notice of any use or sale of such data.
Senate aides shared additional insights on the bill’s new safeguards, highlighting the need to update the definition of personally identifiable information in the bankruptcy code to encompass genetic information, which is currently not included in the outdated definition.
Senator Cornyn emphasized the importance of safeguarding Americans’ sensitive genetic information through legislative updates, ensuring that it cannot be exploited or disclosed without their knowledge and consent.
The key takeaway for consumers is clear: exercise caution when sharing your sensitive genetic data with companies, as there is always a risk that it could be stored, sold, or misused in the future. Stay informed and vigilant about the protection of your genetic privacy.
[Image credit: Fox News]
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