As clearly stated in the Consent Form at 23andMe:

Genetic Data: The laboratory processing your saliva sample will analyze your DNA to determine your genetic information. The laboratory will not analyze your saliva for any biological or chemical components, markers or agents other than your DNA. The laboratory will not have access to your name or your other personal information. A unique bar code will allow 23andMe to link genetic data derived from your sample to your account. After analysis, your remaining DNA and saliva samples will be destroyed.

Account Deletion: You have the right to delete your genetic information from our systems. Within thirty (30) days of receiving your written request, we will delete your account, and your information will not be included in any future research, including future research by other organizations. Any research conducted prior to the end of the thirty (30) day period following receipt of your request will not be altered or halted. Once your account is deleted it will not be retrievable. For purposes of clarity, any user-generated content you contribute will not be deleted and your genetic information associated only by barcode may be retained at the laboratory. Click here for more information.

Given all the angst in the community, I assumed that there must have been some recent clarification, because I have written records here of my own confusion, and it is a common sentiment in the community that somehow 23andMe is unethically hoarding user DNA.

Nope. I bought my 23andMe kit sometime in winter 2008 and received my kit in March 2008. At the time, I photographed and scanned all the pieces of the kit —including the Consent Form— which I then emailed to my gmail account for safekeeping. Here you can see the same statements above printed in the Consent Form from at least March 2008.

This is an alarming oversight on behalf of me and the community. However, I would also like to highlight two more statements from the Consent Form:

You should not change your health behaviors on the basis of this information.

Furthermore, 23andMe’s service is not a test or kit designed to diagnose disease or medical conditions, and it is not intended to be medical advice.

I hope 23andMe’s marketing and PR is very very careful about misrepresenting their product in the media, which of course, they quite clearly hope to be a health company, so of course they are misrepresenting their product to some degree. However, I’m really feeling too cynical right now to make a call one way or the other. Everybody incessantly talks, but nobody ever says anything, and it’s getting to me.