If you've ever used an at-home genetic test, there is a chance your information is not as protected as you think it is. This week, California State Senator Tom Umberg introduced legislation to regulate the sharing of specimens collected through DNA analysis.
"What consumers don't know is the recipient of the specimen, those doing the analysis, may provide that to other entities," Umberg told Cheddar Friday. He said the new legislation will protect consumers and provide them the opportunity to make their own decisions about their data.
Illinois and New York have similar laws on the books. Illinois at the start of 2020 expanded protections for users of genetic testing kits like 23andMe and Ancestry.com
One of the concerns around the sharing of genetic testing is the disclosure of information that may have "health implications and insurance implications and maybe even employment implications," Umberg said. Tests can reveal a predisposition to a disease, information that, if sold to an entity like an insurance company, may affect the user beyond simply taking a test.
He said he became more concerned after the Department of Defense warned personnel not to use home DNA tests.
"If it's affecting national defense, I think consumers should know what's what that information is being used for," the legislator and retired U.S. Army colonel said.
The legislation Umberg introduced, California Senate Bill 980, provides for users to opt-in to letting companies pass on their information to third parties, like if the company offers some kind of compensation.
Shares of Tylenol maker Kenvue are bouncing back sharply before the opening bell a day after President Donald Trump promoted unproven and in some cases discredited ties between Tylenol, vaccines and autism. Trump told pregnant women not to use the painkiller around a dozen times during the White House news conference Monday. The drugmaker tumbled 7.5%. Shares have regained most of those losses early Tuesday in premarket trading.
Scott Trench, host of the BiggerPockets Money Podcast, explores how recent rate cuts, high borrowing costs, and mortgage rates are reshaping U.S. real estate.
A look into how disruption, AI, and global economic trends are transforming the modern supply chain with Jeremy Jansen, Head of Supply Chain at Wells Fargo.
Delta CSO Amelia DeLuca reveals at the Fast Co. Innovation Festival how tech, sustainable aviation fuel, and smart operations are revolutionizing air travel.
Chipmaker Nvidia will invest $100 billion in OpenAI as part of a partnership that will add at least 10 gigawatts of Nvidia AI data centers to ramp up the computing power for the owner of the artificial intelligence chatbot ChatGPT.
Two of the nation’s biggest real estate services companies are combining in a deal that will bring Century 21, Compass and several other major brokerage brands under the same umbrella.
Colin & Samir break down YouTube’s $100B payout to creators and explore why nearly a third of Gen Alpha want to be YouTubers — plus what that means for you.
