Critical Evaluation Of The Article “The Rise And Fall And Rise Again Of 23Andme”
I selected a story from the www. nature. com website titled, “The rise and fall and rise again of 23andMe”. Based upon the article, I chose to analyze the story on three criteria. The first consideration is, is the information newsworthy? Second, from whose point of view is the story being reported? Finally, we uncover if there is a lack of context.
This article addresses Anne Wojcicki's goal to design a DNA analysis tool that would allow consumers to uncover their risks of developing ten various medical conditions. Since April, 2018, the customer base has reached million people. This has resulted in the largest genetic study in the world. The FDA has refused to allow customers more that the ten identified conditions. In light of the popularity, skeptics worry and question 23andme's plan to sell customer data to help develop medicines. The FDA then requested evidence that the product worked as advertised and wouldn't harm customers. The FDA was worried that people might take drastic measures based upon the results of the test, such as self-medicating without consulting a doctor or treatment based on false positives. The FDA warned Anne Wojcicki the stop marketing the product. “As a result, 23andme was forced to drastically cut its customer offerings, threatening its viability. ”
It was a tough pill to swallow for Wojcicki. She was in disbelief that FDA would be so powerful as to stop customers from learning their own genetic information. She quickly learned that she had to cooperate with regulators in order to save her company. Quickly, Wojcicki had raised $115 million more from investors. “The direct-to-consumer genetic testing market has been transformed since 23andme's early years. And although it is a small slice of the gene-testing market, it is expected to grow to $340 million in the next five years. ” Is the information newsworthy? (valuable to citizens?)I certainly believe that this information is newsworthy and valuable to citizens. Most importantly because people want to know if the product is credible and safe. We want to understand the value of what we are purchasing and that we are protected. The article addresses the value of 23andme and the foundation of science supporting it. From whose point of view is the story being reported?
This article is written in the third person point of view, from an observational perspective. The narrator is detached, and also an observer, telling only the progression of events that occurred in the life of Anne Wojcicki and the development of the 23andme product. Also, the article comes from an international weekly journal of science website.
Finally, we uncover if there is a lack of context. Context is the set of circumstances or facts that surround a particular event or situation. I feel this story did not lack factual evidence or any circumstances that should be considered in the article discussing the rise and fall of 23andme development. I feel this article was written fairly and objectively.
