As a geneticist, I will not mourn 23andMe and its jumble of useless health information | Adam Rutherford
IInformation is the most valuable resource on Earth. We have received data from everything we do, and the huge companies they raise. However, they know us better than we know ourselves, the information that we easily give up is used to clarify us, and to manipulate our political and personal opinions. We are users of social media, but we are actually the product. Google’s mission has never just provided a search engine; It was to organize the information of the world. Perhaps it is not a coincidence that the 23ndme commercial tests company was established by Anne WojCikki, who was the wife of a Google creature; The task of 23andme was to organize the richest data collection in the well -known universe, and the profession it carries in your cells: your genome.
23andme has provided information that it is related to your personal health and your origin. All you had to do is spit in a tube and give them some money, and in return you will get a very brilliant map of your genetic genealogy, and some information about the possibility of you like the taste of coriander, or that your skin flows when you are drunk, or you suffer from sticky ear wax or wet or your color – things that you may actually know, if you have ever searched. If you look carefully, they have provided strong information about the science behind the results, but who reads the small print?
Your DNA is the most of your own data. Billions of genetic code messages in your cells are unique to you, and you will always remain in the entire history and the future of mankind, even if you are identical twins. It contains the history of your family, our types, and life on Earth. It houses the most personal information about your family, life and health. This is what he wanted 23andme.
Company Just submitted to bankruptcyAnd this does not grieve me. The direct genome of the consumer did not invent, but made large data with large data. The genius of its business model was not only to obtain volunteering in this personal data to a private company, but to persuade you to actually pay to provide them. Then he marketed your DNA by Sell them to pharmaceutical companiesAnd that you will use to develop drugs, in the end for profit. The type of racket that the head of the mob may be seen and says: “This is legal?” There was always an opportunity to cancel the subscription, but most people did not do that, because whoever reads the little print? What happened in return? Scientific ornament.
There were also good news stories – tales of missing relatives were found, or parents were previously identified. I discovered an unknown branch of Jewish origin, which came out six years ago. Scientists in 23andme have published some studies that used customer data to detect I lost information about slavery across the AtlanticAnd this was only possible because they were sitting on one of the largest existing human genital groups.
But the main benefit came from people who thought they were pushing to answer the mysterious question where they came from. The problem is: It is an empty promise. There is no way to determine the geographical origin of your ancestors using heredity. Your grandparents are about 50 generations From all over the worldBesides, do not grant organic biology to a tribe, clan, people or country. What 23andme was doing already was comparing your DNA with other customers who pay the payment, matching where they live today, and the conclusion that you have ancestors on this site. It is a kind of business, but it is often meaningless. When the data allows you to believe that you are 37 % German, or 18 % Spanish, or anything else, you may feel fun, but of course there is no way to be 37 % German. White outstanding people liked this type of service as well because – closed in their scientifically ignorant ideology – they believed that he would reveal a kind of racist purity. Even at the pre -exposed test of an unknown origin from the people who consider it inferior, they often attribute the results to a Jewish conspiracy.
As for the health information you provided, the results are also very limited, because the tests are not designed Diagnosis of medical conditionsAnd ANAYLSED genetic variables as part of the service are derived from the population level Statistics, which are not especially useful for individuals. I have discovered that I have a genetic variable associated with the level of the population to a slightly greater risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Knowing that this does not bother me and does not pay a change in my behavior. This does not mean that I will get Alzheimer’s disease, and if you don’t have the same alternative, this does not mean that you will not do that.
DNA is not fate. 23ndme was trading on ignorance of how the genome was actually working, and to perpetuate an inevitable vision of the genetics that excelled and made a mistake.
Perhaps people fell in love with this heresy because what do you intend to do with reports anyway? Certainly, some people have discovered new things about their family relationships. But most millions of customers who pay do not discover anything. The Governor may have become wise in the weak allegations made by shiny marketing, such as “” “Root– A funny attempt to sell test sets for football fans during the 2018 World Cup.
Then there was Back to the data. In 2023, 23andme – 7 million of customer data, and Ashkenazi Jewish agents were leaked Data for sale has been offered On the dark network. You have paid a company to store your data, and failed.
Therefore, for all the codes who were seduced by the promise of some mysterious scientific stories, you may wish to do so Look at deleting your data While 23andme in financial disorders. Lessons are clear: understanding science and verifying small printing. You were never customers. You are always the product.
