News that 13 direct-to-consumer genetic testing services have been sent cease-and-desist letters from the Californian Department of Public Health after concerns about the tests accuracy and cost.
Especially interesting considering one of the best known of the companies, 23andMe, is funded by Google and Genentech. The companies have two weeks to demonstrate to regulators that their laboratories are certified by the relevant authorities. The startups also must show the tests they are selling California residents have been ordered by a doctor as required by state law.
It’s a good thing – these companies are, to a certain extent, selling a dream of immortality (or at least carefully calculated mortality) there is (or should be) a higher onus on them to be up front and accurate than for other, more frivolous2, web start-ups.
