Your DNA is now a corporate asset—Regeneron just bought your genetic profile for pennies, raising explosive privacy concerns.
At a Glance
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals is acquiring bankrupt genetic firm 23andMe for $256 million
- The deal grants access to over 15 million DNA records from 23andMe’s biobank
- 23andMe’s value nosedived from $6 billion to $50 million following a major data breach
- California AG urges users to delete data and request destruction of DNA samples
- Sale approval pending in bankruptcy court; finalization expected by Q3 2025
Genetic Gold Rush: Big Pharma Strikes
23andMe was once a Silicon Valley darling, promising to democratize personal genomics. Now it’s selling off its assets in bankruptcy court to Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, which will acquire the entire trove of services, databases, and biological samples. That means your DNA—once tested to trace ancestry or flag hereditary risks—is now part of Regeneron’s R&D arsenal.
Watch a report: Regeneron Buys 23andMe for DNA Data | CNBC
Tech Collapse Meets Corporate Takeover
This sale follows a disastrous data breach that shattered public trust in 23andMe, culminating in a $30 million settlement and CEO Anne Wojcicki’s resignation. Seven board members quit shortly after. The company that once valued your privacy now finds itself in liquidation, its most valuable asset—your DNA—on the auction block.
“Delete Your Data Now,” Warns State AG
California Attorney General Rob Bonta has urged 23andMe customers to delete stored data and request sample destruction. Regeneron insists it will honor prior consent agreements and comply with data privacy laws—but legal experts warn that inherited data can be murkier than it sounds. The company’s vague assurances and openness to “court oversight” have done little to calm critics.
Profiting from Your Privacy
Regeneron’s $256 million investment wasn’t for the brand—it was for the data. With more than 15 million genetic profiles, this acquisition could fuel pharmaceutical development for decades. It also establishes a chilling precedent: companies can now collect your DNA and transfer it in bankruptcy court with minimal consent or notification.
Who’s Guarding the Genome?
The sale awaits approval from bankruptcy court and regulators. But trust in government safeguards is thin. Critics note that federal agencies have been slow to respond to digital privacy concerns, and even slower to create binding genetic protections. Meanwhile, your DNA—unlike a credit card—can’t be changed if it’s misused.
This historic acquisition should serve as a warning: if we don’t defend our biological privacy now, our most personal information may become just another asset to be bought, sold, and exploited.
