23andMe wants to collect users' medical data, stepping into Apple's territory

Mackenzie Garrity -

In a new beta program, 23andMe is asking a subset of customers if they would be willing to incorporate their lab results, prescription information and medical information with their genetic test results, according to CNBC.

23andMe would be able to access patients' health data if they let the DNA-testing company connect outside medical providers using a third-party medical data network called Human API. The company said that the offerings would be gradually rolled out to users, CNBC confirmed.

The move to collect more patient data has 23andMe stepping into Apple's territory, reports CNBC. Apple has developed a health records services that is designed to aggregate iPhone users' medical information, such as lab results and prescriptions.

Apple, however, does not have access to users' genetics data, a missing component from its health program, CNBC reports.

23andMe is pitching to patients that they will have an easier avenue to access health data, especially when it is scattered between hospitals. For the company, it may allow them to pursue other sources of revenue, according to CNBC.

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