Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond has joined a coalition of states filing a federal lawsuit to prevent the auctioning of private DNA information held by 23andMe. The DNA testing and analysis company has filed bankruptcy and seeks to auction is assets, including customers’ genetic data.
“Oklahomans trusted 23andMe with their most personal information, and now the company wants to sell that data to the highest bidder without even asking permission,” said Drummond. “This isn’t just another business asset that can be auctioned off. This is deeply personal genetic information that could affect not just customers, but their children and grandchildren for generations to come. We’re taking legal action to ensure that Oklahomans maintain control over their own genetic data.”
The lawsuit was filed in federal district court in St. Louis.
The 28-state coalition argues personal genetic data is too sensitive to be sold without expressed, informed consent.
