Three of the largest direct-to-consumer DNA testing companies have formed the Coalition for Genetic Data Protection to influence legislation concerning genetic testing, The Hill reports.
Mountain View, Calif.-based 23andMe, Lehi, Utah-based Ancestry and San Carlos, Calif.-based Helix established the coalition in order to lobby Congress on issues of data privacy, according to Steve Haro, a principal at Washington, D.C., lobbying firm Mehlman Castagnetti Rosen & Thomas, executive director of the new coalition.
"Given the high focus that data privacy has currently in Congress, it was important for companies who are doing right by their customers on data privacy make their voice heard," Mr. Haro told The Hill, adding that the formation of the coalition allows the companies to "let Congress know what the best practices are for protecting customers' data and also to show their customers that they're deserving of their trust."
In essence, according to Eric Heath, Ancestry's chief privacy officer, "The purpose of the coalition is to make sure…that genetic data is understood and that our industry is understood and that we don't get swept in with other industries or other context in a way that would negatively impact our business."
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