ABOVE: PIXABAY, GERALT
LunaDNA, a startup that enables individuals to opt in to a database of genetic and health information in exchange for shares in the company—and, perhaps, eventual dividends—has received approval from the US Securities and Exchange Commission and is now open for business, the company announced on Wednesday (December 5). LunaDNA plans to begin enabling researchers to conduct studies on the resulting aggregated, anonymized data late next year in exchange for payments, which would trickle back to those who contributed in the form of dividends.
The company is one of a handful of startups that aim to compensate individuals for sharing their information for research, and to give them some control over how that information is used. But these companies typically look to employ blockchain-based platforms to enable users to choose which research projects to participate in, and receive payments in return.
In contrast to this model, LunaDNA ...
