DNA data at risk as 23andMe nears bankruptcy [Video]

Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) – Consumer genetics and research company, 23andMe, is dealing with financial troubles which are causing concerns for their 15 million users world wide. The main concern, what will happen to their personal DNA data if the company goes under?

Mark Bartholomew, professor at the UB School of Law, says not much can really be done.

“The sad answer is not much, because it’s that thing we’ve talked about a lot before, terms of service. Anybody who uses 23andme has agreed to their terms of service. Those terms promise to keep certain information protected, not public, but it also says those terms of service are subject to change. They also say that they could go to a new party. The consequence of a bankruptcy, your information is really out there, and there is potential for a successor to 23andme to use it.”

While it sound dire, there is a way to still …