Direct-to-consumer DNA testing company Ancestry is laying off about 100 employees, the company confirmed to CNBC on Feb. 5, citing the slowing genetic testing market.
In a blog post, Ancestry CEO and President Margo Georgiadis wrote, "Over the last 18 months, we have seen a slowdown in consumer demand across the entire DNA category. … Today we made targeted changes to better position our business to these marketplace realities. These are difficult decisions and impact 6 percent of our workforce. Any changes that affect our people are made with the utmost care."
That repositioning, she explained, will see Ancestry doubling down on its healthcare efforts, "sharpening our focus and investment on our core Family History business and the long-term opportunity with AncestryHealth."
The layoffs will reportedly affect employees across all levels and departments, and in the company's Utah and California offices. The news comes only a few weeks after Ancestry competitor 23andMe announced it was laying off about 14 percent of its staff, also prompted by the industry's decline.
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