The Research Data Conundrum

For the approximately 12 million customers who consented to participate in 23andMe's research program, the situation is even more complex. While customers can revoke their consent for future research, there's no way to delete information that has already been shared or used in research studies.

This highlights the importance of carefully considering consent for research participation before submitting genetic samples to companies like 23andMe.

Broader Privacy Measures

Beyond account deletion, individuals concerned about genetic privacy should consider:

1. Limiting sharing: Be cautious about sharing genetic information on social media or other public platforms.