Whit Johnson, the Good Morning America anchor, recently shared the profound impact a DNA test with 23andMe had on his life, revealing a surprising family discovery that still resonates with him today.
This comes at a time when the company has filed for bankruptcy, raising concerns among its millions of users about the safety of their data.
A Shocking Family Revelation
Back in 2014, Johnson took a 23andMe DNA test, expecting the usual ancestry results, but what he found was much more life-changing.
His test revealed that his father, Steve, had been adopted—a fact that had been kept a secret from their family up until that point.
To make matters even more remarkable, the test helped Steve connect with siblings he never knew existed.
“Completely by accident, I found my dad’s long-lost brother,” Whit shared.
Over time, Steve discovered more about his biological family, ultimately reconnecting with four brothers and a possible sister, all thanks to the information provided by the genetic testing service.
The Fallout of 23andMe’s Bankruptcy
Fast forward to today, and 23andMe’s bankruptcy filing has sparked a wave of concern, not just for customers like Johnson, but for its 15 million users who have entrusted the company with their genetic data.
With the company’s stock price plummeting to just 96 cents a share, and CEO Anne Wojcicki resigning, many customers are now left wondering what will happen to their sensitive information.
California’s Attorney General, Rob Bonta, has urged users to delete their data and any genetic material the company might still have on file.
This recommendation follows fears that the company’s assets could be sold off to the highest bidder, putting users’ privacy at risk.
Whit Johnson’s Decision to Delete Data
Amid these developments, Johnson chose to erase his data from the site.
He explained that the decision was deeply personal, giving him “peace of mind” in the face of uncertainty about what could happen to his information.
For him, the choice to delete was also tied to the fact that he felt there were no further questions left about his family’s history.
Steve’s Continued Search for Family
While Johnson opted to erase his data, his father Steve made a different choice.
He decided to keep his information on the platform, allowing him to continue exploring his roots and potentially finding more relatives.
This decision could lead to even more connections with lost family members.
23andMe’s Rise and Fall
Once a rising tech star, 23andMe’s success story was marred by a rapid expansion that ultimately led to its downfall.
The company was particularly well-known for providing users with detailed ancestry breakdowns and had even been used by law enforcement to solve high-profile cold cases.
At its peak in 2021, 23andMe was valued at an astonishing $46 billion.
However, the company’s rapid growth, compounded by a major data breach in 2023, contributed to a sharp decline in its reputation.
Today, 23andMe is struggling with a mere $11 million valuation, leaving many users questioning whether their personal data is safe.
The Future of Genetic Testing
While 23andMe’s collapse marks a significant shift in the world of genetic testing, it raises questions about the future of such services and the potential risks of sharing personal genetic data.
For users like Whit Johnson and his father Steve, the test has been life-changing, but it’s clear that the implications of genetic testing are much more complex than anyone anticipated.
As the debate around privacy and data security continues, it seems that the story of 23andMe is far from over.