When it comes to personal health information, many people are actually willing to share their data, according to Anne Wojcicki, co-founder and CEO of genetic testing company 23andMe. But the health care system has to start treating people less like test subjects, and more like people who want to contribute to medical research.
“There needs to be more of that mindset: give people choice, give people transparency. Let people opt in when they want, and I think a lot of people will come, but they just want to be treated with that basic respect,” Wojcicki said at a Monday panel on the future of health data. She added: “They just need to be treated like adults.”
The tensions between the wealth of medical data now available and the lack of guidelines for accessing and using it was a central theme at the panel, held at the Milken Institute’s 2023 Global Conference.
This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers
Unlock this article — and get additional analysis of the technologies disrupting health care — by subscribing to STAT+.
Already have an account? Log in
Already have an account? Log in
About the Author Reprints
To submit a correction request, please visit our Contact Us page.
STAT encourages you to share your voice. We welcome your commentary, criticism, and expertise on our subscriber-only platform, STAT+ Connect