House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Chairman James Comer has announced a hearing to address concerns over the bankruptcy of 23andMe, Inc., a genetic testing company that holds the personal DNA data of millions of Americans. The hearing, titled “Securing Americans’ Genetic Information: Privacy and National Security Concerns Surrounding 23andMe’s Bankruptcy Sale,” will explore potential national security and privacy issues arising from this situation.
Chairman Comer emphasized the importance of securing sensitive genetic data from both legal and illegal access. He stated, “The recent bankruptcy filing of 23andMe, Inc.—a company entrusted with the genetic data of more than 15 million Americans—raises serious concerns about the future security and privacy of highly sensitive American data. It is imperative that 23andMe, and other companies like it, ensure there is absolutely no legal or illegal way for foreign adversaries or anyone else to access, manipulate, and abuse American’s genetic data to advance their nefarious agendas.”
The House Oversight Committee seeks to understand how these proceedings might affect data security. In April, Chairman Comer requested documents related to the bankruptcy filing. Subsequently in May, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals disclosed an asset purchase agreement with 23andMe.
Scheduled for June 10 at 10:00 AM ET in HVC-210 at the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center, the hearing will feature testimony from Ms. Anne Wojcicki, Founder and Board Member of 23andMe, Inc., and Mr. Joe Selsavage, Interim CEO and Chief Financial Officer of the company.
Chairman Comer concluded by expressing his anticipation for discussions with 23andMe leadership regarding measures to protect private data: “I look forward to discussing efforts to protect Americans and their private data with 23andMe leadership next week.”
The public can attend or view a livestream online.
