As genetic testing company 23andMe files for bankruptcy, Good Morning America anchor Whit Johnson has shared a deeply personal revelation—one he uncovered through the very same service.
The 42-year-old journalist, a familiar face on GMA, revealed on air that a DNA test led him to a long-hidden family secret. Describing it as a “missing link” that resulted in a “bombshell” discovery, Johnson credited the test with uncovering a truth he never saw coming.
While many family mysteries remain unsolved when relatives are unable or unwilling to share their stories, Johnson’s experience highlights how DNA testing can unearth life-changing revelations—sometimes with shocking results.
23andMe filed for bankruptcy (Getty Stock Images)
Just days after DNA testing company 23andMe filed for bankruptcy protection, Good Morning America anchor Whit Johnson shared a shocking family revelation—one he uncovered through the very service now facing scrutiny.
The company has been plagued by issues, including a 2023 data breach that exposed the personal information of nearly 7 million users, leading to legal challenges. Amid financial turmoil, California Attorney General Rob Bonta urged customers to delete their genetic data, citing privacy risks under the state’s Genetic Information Privacy Act. The law grants consumers the right to access or erase their DNA data at any time, a move Bonta strongly recommended given the company’s uncertain future.
For Johnson, however, 23andMe provided an unexpected truth—his father, Steve, was adopted, a fact even Steve himself never knew. Johnson’s DNA test revealed long-lost relatives, including an unknown biological brother named Bear. “My DNA test was that missing link,” Johnson shared in an interview with his father.
Their journey didn’t stop there. Further testing uncovered even more siblings—one possibly from his grandmother’s side and two more brothers from his grandfather’s lineage.
Despite these life-changing discoveries, 23andMe’s bankruptcy raises concerns that customer data could be sold off, leaving millions uncertain about the fate of their genetic information. While Johnson ultimately chose to wipe his data, his father refused, believing the company helped answer long-standing questions about his past.
“It does make me sad because it means a lot of people who could have the experience I had won’t have it,” Steve said. “Because people just won’t sign up for this stuff.”
Johnson acknowledged the deeply personal nature of DNA testing, adding, “Everyone should consider what’s right for them.”
Meanwhile, 23andMe co-founder and CEO Anne Wojcicki recently announced her resignation but revealed plans to become an independent bidder for the struggling company.
