23andMe Pulls Off Massive Crowdsourced Depression Study

Re:23andMe Pulls Off Massive Crowdsourced Depression Study by charlieflowers on Tuesday August 02, 2016 @07:27AM (#12209112)

I reached the same conclusion. There is the risk that insurance companies will somehow use my own genome against me in the future.

I want to learn everything my own genome can teach me, but have complete control over which parts of that knowledge I share.

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Re:23andMe Pulls Off Massive Crowdsourced Depression Study by berberous on Tuesday August 02, 2016 @07:58AM (#12209250)

In the U.S, the federal law GINA prevents genetic discrimination by health insurance companies. It could theoretically be repealed one day, but I think that is extremely unlikely.

There are, however, certain gaps in the law. For example, I believe life insurance is not currently covered.

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Re:23andMe Pulls Off Massive Crowdsourced Depression Study by nommm-nommm on Tuesday August 02, 2016 @08:24AM (#12209375)

>It could theoretically be repealed one day, but I think that is extremely unlikely.

For reference on how unlikely - https://www.congress.gov/bill/110th-congress/house-bill/493/...

04/25/2007 Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 420 - 3 (Roll no. 261).(text: CR H4083-4094)

04/24/2008 Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 95 - 0. Record Vote Number: 113.

05/01/2008 Resolving differences -- House actions: On motion that the House agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 414 - 1 (Roll no. 234).(text as House agreed to Senate amendment: CR H2961-2972)

05/19/2008 Presented to President.

05/21/2008 Signed by President.

[The one Nay in the House was Ron Paul].

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Re:23andMe Pulls Off Massive Crowdsourced Depression Study by thaumasiotes on Tuesday August 02, 2016 @07:53AM (#12209225)

> There is the risk that insurance companies will somehow use my own genome against me in the future.

They do that now. That's the whole point of asking for your family medical history.

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Re:23andMe Pulls Off Massive Crowdsourced Depression Study by criddell on Tuesday August 02, 2016 @09:17AM (#12209683)

My memory may be failing me, but I think when I last applied for life insurance, they asked if I had my genome sequenced and the possible answers were yes, no, or I don't want to say. I don't believe they asked for any information beyond that.

I could see the day where they offer a discount if you disclose your data just like car insurers offer a discount if you opt-in to tracking.

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Re:23andMe Pulls Off Massive Crowdsourced Depression Study by mrfusion on Tuesday August 02, 2016 @09:41AM (#12209838)

23andme wouldn't count as sequencing anyway right? They're just looking for certain snp's.

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Re:23andMe Pulls Off Massive Crowdsourced Depression Study by criddell on Tuesday August 02, 2016 @01:21PM (#12211492)

My memory may be wrong. It was a decade ago so maybe it wasn't DNA testing. I'm thinking it might have been full body scans. They were popular for a while, but I really haven't heard much about them lately.

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Re:23andMe Pulls Off Massive Crowdsourced Depression Study by wccrawford on Tuesday August 02, 2016 @12:42PM (#12211194)

Last I checked, it was specifically illegal for them to get that information for insurance purposes.

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Re:23andMe Pulls Off Massive Crowdsourced Depression Study by criddell on Tuesday August 02, 2016 @01:19PM (#12211474)

I suppose it would be okay for them to collect that information, as long as it wasn't used to set insurance rates or to deny coverage.

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Re:23andMe Pulls Off Massive Crowdsourced Depression Study by nommm-nommm on Tuesday August 02, 2016 @08:16AM (#12209327)

Doesn't the ACA and GINA prevent them from doing this anymore?

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