TL;DR
- Sei Foundation is considering acquiring 23andMe after its bankruptcy filing, aiming to protect the genetic data of millions of users using blockchain technology.
- The proposal empowers individuals by giving them full control over how their genetic information is stored, shared, and monetized.
- This move represents a significant push for the DeSci (Decentralized Science) ecosystem, which aims to revolutionize scientific research through Web3 tools.
Following the recent bankruptcy of 23andMe, the well-known at-home genetic testing company, the Sei Foundation has announced its intention to acquire the firm’s assets with a radically innovative vision: to migrate the genetic database of more than 15 million users to a secure and decentralized blockchain system backed by open-source infrastructure.
According to a statement released on March 27, the foundation — associated with the Sei Network blockchain ecosystem — believes the future of data sovereignty lies in tools that return direct control to individuals.
“Data sovereignty is a matter of national security,”
the statement reads. In a world where genetic information can become a form of currency, this proposal carries immense strategic and ethical value.
Blockchain and Genetics: A Solution for Critical Times
The bankruptcy of 23andMe, filed under Chapter 11 in the U.S., has raised concerns about the fate of sensitive data such as users’ DNA. Although the company has claimed that its data handling practices will remain unchanged, experts, regulators, and digital rights activists are worried that such data could fall into the hands of corporations or governments with questionable intentions.
In response, the Attorneys General of New York and California have urged users to contact 23andMe and request the deletion of their genetic data. This situation opens the door for new solutions, and that’s where Sei’s proposal gains strength, promising transparency, traceability, and data security using advanced encryption and Web3 technologies.
DeSci: The Future of Science Powered by Crypto
Beyond being a rescue mission, this acquisition represents a bold statement: Decentralized Science (DeSci) is ready to take a major step forward. The goal is to integrate scientific data onto the blockchain, removing intermediaries, encouraging open research, and promoting active citizen participation.
Currently, DeSci projects already surpass 650 million dollars in market value, according to data from CoinGecko. Sei’s initiative could become the spark that ignites a new era, where genetic information is not only protected but also ethically managed and placed under the rightful control of users. In a world where privacy is more valuable than ever, crypto may well hold the key to the genetic future of humanity.
