When Curiosity Meets the Double Helix
It started like a techy party trick — spit in a tube, send it off, and find out if you’ve got Viking blood. By 2025, that gimmick has become a gateway into something much bigger, and far more serious.
23andMe, once a Silicon Valley curiosity, is now a household name — and not just because it told you you’re 12% Italian. It’s a full-blown biotech company sitting at the intersection of genetics, privacy, and pharmaceutical power.
If that sounds like a complicated place to be in 2025 — it is.
The Fun Stuff: Tracing Roots and Connecting Families
For millions of people, 23andMe was a window into personal history. You mailed off a bit of saliva, and back came a story — where your people came from, how they moved, and maybe even a few surprise relatives.
In fact, many have found long-lost siblings, unknown parents, and distant cousins from the other side of the world.
And that part? It still works. In 2025, the ancestry reports are better than ever, covering over 3,000 regional backgrounds, with more depth on underrepresented groups — from Pacific Islanders to Middle Eastern populations. It’s personal, and for many, even emotional.
But Then It Got Complicated
Once the company started offering health reports, everything changed.
Suddenly, people were learning they carried BRCA mutations, or were at high risk for Parkinson’s, or could pass along genetic disorders to their kids. The test wasn’t just fun anymore — it was heavy.
Then came the GlaxoSmithKline deal in 2018. The idea? Use aggregated genetic data to help develop new drugs. It made sense from a research angle. But to the average user, it felt… weird. Your spit might one day help treat lupus — but you’d never know, and certainly wouldn’t get a cut.
Fast forward to now: 23andMe is deep into drug discovery, clinical trials, and precision medicine. Their database of 14+ million genotypes is a goldmine for researchers.
And that’s where things start to raise eyebrows.
The 2023 Breach That Broke Trust
In late 2023, hackers got into 23andMe’s data.
Not credit cards. Not passwords. Something more intimate: genetic profiles, family connections, heritage details — the fabric of who people are.
Over 6.9 million users were impacted. And though the company insisted that no raw DNA data was stolen, it didn’t matter. The breach felt personal. Too personal.
Since then, 23andMe has rolled out more consent tools, data control options, and a full privacy dashboard. You can now opt out of research, delete your data, or lock it behind two-factor authentication.
Still, many users haven’t returned. Some say the trust is gone.
A New Direction: From Spit Kits to Prescription Pads
If you haven’t kept up, you might be surprised to know that 23andMe is now in the business of developing drugs — not just telling you where your grandparents came from.
In fact, the company is working on treatments for several diseases, using patterns found in the genetic data of its customers. That includes autoimmune disorders, cancer, and even mental health conditions.
There’s even a new feature launched this year called the “DNA Health Passport” — a digital profile that combines your genetic risks, medication compatibility, and preventive health tips.
It’s ambitious. It’s also kind of creepy.
The Money Side of It
Going public via SPAC in 2021 was supposed to be 23andMe’s big financial moment. But Wall Street had doubts.
By 2024, the consumer side of the business was slowing. Competitors like AncestryDNA were eating up market share, and privacy concerns made people hesitant.
Now, in 2025, 23andMe is betting big on drug development as its future. It’s still losing money, but investors seem cautiously optimistic — especially with AI helping them identify drug targets faster than ever.
Not Alone Anymore
23andMe used to dominate. Now, it’s part of a crowded field.
MyHeritage has pushed hard into family mapping. AncestryDNA still leads in genealogical data. And newer startups are using AI and wearable tech to deliver daily health reports based on your genetics.
What 23andMe has that others don’t is its massive data pool — and a head start in clinical trials. But it's clear: the DNA testing boom isn’t just about who your ancestors were anymore. It’s about the future of healthcare.
So, Should You Still Use It?
That depends on what you want.
If you’re just looking for family roots, there are cheaper (and more private) options. But if you’re interested in personalized health — and you’re okay with your data being used for research — 23andMe is still the most advanced platform around.
The company has made it easier to opt out of research, delete your data, and even see where your information is going. But you’ll need to stay informed and read the fine print.
Final Word: The DNA Genie is Out of the Bottle
23andMe helped make genetic testing mainstream. It’s opened doors for millions to learn about their past — and potentially reshape their future.
But it’s also taught us that with great data comes great responsibility. DNA isn’t just another data point. It’s you.
So if you’re going to hand it over, make sure you know where it’s going — and what it could become.