CNBC August 25, 2019
- Illumina noted in its earnings report that there’s been a “weakness” in the direct-to-consumer genetics testing market.
- The company didn’t explain why that might be.
- But CNBC asked genetics experts to weigh in on why fewer consumers than expected are buying kits from companies like Ancestry and 23andMe this year.
Sales of consumer-focused DNA tests from companies like Ancestry and 23andMe are down this year. And while companies in the space aren’t offering any reasons why, experts speculate that the natural expiration of the early adopter wave and growing privacy concerns are to blame. But companies might be able to recover if they provide compelling medical reasons for users to...