23andMe Lite
23andMe, the Google-backed personal genomics company, now offers a "lite" version of its scan for just a quarter of the normal $400 price. This comes less than a year after the company lowered its price from $1000. Customers who choose the $100 "23andMe Research Edition" must not only settle for less data and fewer services, but must also enroll in the company's "Research Revolution." In that program, customers / research participants answer survey questions about at least one of ten diseases. Once 1000 customers provide information for a particular disease, the company says, it will begin its study.
Of course, what's not mentioned is that all 23andMe customers, including those who buy the full version, are already participants in research. Buried in the privacy policy is an agreement that customers' genetic information, and any other information they may provide, can be compiled and sold to researchers. Customers cannot opt out of this; in fact, this is the company's business model.
Update: Read Daniel MacArthur's take.
Previously on Biopolitical Times:
