DNA-testing site 23andMe fights for survival

**DNA-Testing Pioneer 23andMe Struggles to Navigate Rough Waters** In the world of consumer genetics, few names have been as prominent as 23andMe. The Silicon Valley-based company catapulted to fame by offering customers insights into their ancestry and genetic predispositions to certain health conditions, all from a simple saliva sample. Yet, despite its early success and the millions of users who once eagerly sent off their DNA samples to unlock the secrets of their genealogy, 23andMe is currently fighting for its survival, facing challenges that have left industry observers wondering: What went wrong? 23andMe's journey from a pioneering start-up to its current precarious position serves as a cautionary tale about the volatile nature of the tech and health sectors. When the company launched in 2006, it was at the forefront of making genetic testing accessible and understandable to the general public. Users were not just joining a cutting-edge scientific venture; they were embarking on a personalized journey into their past and gaining a glimpse into their potential future health outlooks. The allure was undeniable. For a fee, customers received a comprehensive report detailing their ancestry, tracing their lineage across continents and epochs. Moreover, the health insights offered predictions about an individual's risk for certain genetic conditions and responses to medications. This innovative intersection of genealogy and health quickly garnered attention and, for a time, 23andMe seemed unstoppable. However, the challenges began to mount. One of the first major hurdles occurred in