During Tuesday’s House Oversight Committee hearing, Rep. Clay Higgins (R-LA) questioned Anne Wojcicki, Founder and Board Member of 23andMe, Inc., about employing Chinese Nationals.
00:00I recognize myself for five minutes for questioning.
00:03I think it's important to note, and as America observes, it's fascinating hearing that digital data is not secure.
00:14You have reports of, according to my research, about 27% of Fortune 500 companies have had major data breaches.
00:22These are the wealthiest companies. They're the most advanced security systems.
00:26Data breach statistics show a significant increase in both the number of breaches and the number of records exposed within those breaches.
00:38For example, in the United States, the number of data breaches increased from 447 in 2012 to over 3,200 in 2023.
00:48In 2023, 353 million individuals were impacted by data compromises.
00:55And globally, data breaches exposed over 818 million data sets in the first quarter of 2024.
01:06It was intellectually unsound to discuss digital data as if it was secure.
01:13And therein lies the problem, because Ms. Wojcicki, 23andMe, congratulations on the success of the company.
01:25I'm a Republican.
01:27I support for Enterprise.
01:29Glad you had a good run, but let's talk about the issue right now.
01:32Because 23andMe began with a DNA swab, and that swab was sent in to a laboratory, I presume, 23andMe, and that laboratory analyzed that physical data and created the digital file.
01:47Is that correct?
01:51Yes.
01:51Okay, we're moving quickly.
01:53I'm just summarizing here for the American people.
01:55You send in a swab, it's physical DNA.
01:58That's received by a laboratory and transitioned to a digital file.
02:03At that point, America, no longer secure.
02:07And I need only point to modern history and data breaches and digital theft.
02:13But, let's move a little bit deeper into this consideration.
02:20In these laboratories and 23andMe, did you have Chinese nationals working, ma'am?
02:26So, 23andMe contracted with LabCorp?
02:30Yeah.
02:30Did you have Chinese nationals working in laboratories that were processing the DNA physical data and transitioning that data to digital files?
02:40So, LabCorp is a public company.
02:43It's one of the largest lab testing.
02:44Yes or no?
02:45I didn't control their hiring.
02:47Would you believe me when I tell you the answer is yes?
02:52You had Chinese nationals.
02:54Listen to this, America.
02:56You sent in your DNA on a swab.
02:59No problem.
03:00That's cool to check your family history and your family tree.
03:07You know, I did it, too.
03:08But the expectation of privacy of your digital data was gone the moment you put that thing in the mail.
03:16And now, Congress has to determine whether or not we're going to allow the abject sale of that data.
03:24And let me just say that we're going to draft legislation, Mr. Self-Savage.
03:30We will draft legislation.
03:32I don't know if we'll get it right because it's complex.
03:35I would estimate there will probably be a dozen different iterations of legislation covering DNA digital data control over the next decade.
03:48But Congress must act in response to this newly emergent threat because you're not just talking about 15 million people, but 23andMe.
04:01According to my research, over the course of 30 years, 15 million people become 100 million descendants.
04:09It's the same basic DNA profile, therefore, subject to the same threat of biological weaponization of that DNA profile.
04:21And that DNA profile exists in the digital realm where we already acknowledge it's not secure.
04:27So this body is going to create legislation, and that legislation will impact the sale of this data.
04:37So both of you have a stake.
04:41Quickly, Madam and Sir, advise this body.
04:46Will you be available for consultation to this committee as we work through what legislation will look like?
04:55I would be honored to help and participate however I can to help make sure that you know.
05:01However you can.
05:02Thank you, ma'am.
05:02Good, sir.
05:03And likewise, I'd be happy to help.
05:05Professor Hu, we're going to need you.
05:08Will you be available?
05:09Absolutely.
05:10My time has expired.
05:12The chair recognizes Mr. Gill for five minutes for questioning.
05:18Thank you, Mr.
05:18I stand corrected, Mr. Gill.
05:19I apologize.
05:20Ms. Crockett has arrived.
05:22Ms. Crockett is recognized for five minutes for questioning.
