23andMe Overview

In order to provide individuals with this important genomic data, 23andMe uses a process called genotyping. Genotyping is conducted when a sample of an individual’s DNA is collected, analyzed, and compared against another individual’s DNA sequence. When this process is performed on a large enough scale, certain patterns and consistent variants within the DNA begin to present themselves. The collection of this data has allowed researchers to develop massive arrays of data for comparison, subsequently providing the basis for the genotyping analysis performed by 23andMe.

In order to conduct this analysis, 23andMe uses a custom-built version of the Illumina Global Screening Array. This array contains a massive expanse of data collected from the existing platform combined with the data of others who have participated in a DNA analysis through 23andMe. Once you have provided a sample of your saliva, the 23andMe CLIA-certified and CAP-accredited lab will analyze thousands of locations contained within in your DNA in order to identify certain variations that have proven to be associated with certain health conditions, personality traits, and geographic ancestry.

Services Provided by 23andMe

If you’re consider whether or not to purchase one of the DNA testing kits from 23andMe, it’s important to understand exactly what you would be getting from your DNA test. 23andMe offers their clients a selection of two genotyping analysis. Below is a detailed breakdown of exactly what results are provided with each respective test.

Ancestry + Traits Service

Ancestry Reports

• Ancestral Composition
• Ancestry Detail Reports (48 reports covering over 1500regions worldwide)
• Maternal Haplogroups
• Paternal Haplogroups
• Neanderthal Ancestry
• DNA Relative Finder
• Family Tree Builder

Traits Reports (30+ Traits Tested)

• Ability to match musical pitch
• Asparagus Odor Detection
• Black Hair (Men Only)
• Bald Spot (Men Only)
• Bitter Taste
• Bunions
• Cheek Dimples
• Cilantro Taste Aversion
• Cleft Chin
• Dandruff
• Earlobe Type
• Early Hair Loss (men Only)
• Earwax Type
• Fear of Heights
• Fear of Public Speaking
• Finger Length Ratio
• Flat Feet
• Freckles
• Hair Photobleaching
• Hair Texture
• Hair Thickness
• Ice Cream Preference
• Light or Dark Hair
• Misophonia (hatred of chewing sound)
• Mosquito Bite Frequency
• Motion Sickness
• Newborn Hair
• Photic Sneeze Reflex
• Red Hair
• Skin Pigmentation
• Stretch Marks
• Sweet v. Salty Preference
• Toe Length Ratio
• Unibrow
• Wake-up Time
• Widow’s Peak

Other Reports

• Access to raw data results
• Share and Compare with friends and family
• Option to purchase health predisposition, carrier status, and wellness reports for an additional $125 at any time

Health + Ancestry Service

In addition to all test results included with the Ancestry + Traits Service, the Health + Ancestry Service includes the following additional test results:

Health Predisposition Reports

• Type 2 Diabetes
• Age-related Macular Degeneration
• Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency
• BRCA1/BRCA2
• Celiac Disease
• Familial Hypercholesterolemia
• G6PD Deficiency
• Hereditary Amyloidosis
• Hereditary Hemochromatosis
• Hereditary Thrombophilia
• Late-onset Alzheimer’s Disease
• MUTYH-Associated Polyposis
• Parkinson’s Disease

Wellness Reports

• Alcohol Flush Reaction
• Caffeine Consumption
• Deep Sleep
• Genetic Weight
• Lactose Intolerance
• Muscle Composition
• Saturated Fat and Weight
• Sleep Movement 

Carrier Status Reports

• ARSACS
• Agenesis of the Corpus Callosum with Peripheral Neuropathy
• Autosomal Recessive Polycystic Kidney Disease
• Beta Thalassemia and Related Hemoglobinopathies
• Bloom Syndrome
• Canavan Disease
• Congenital Disorder of Glycosylation Type 1a (PMM2-CDG)
• Cystic Fibrosis
• D-Bifunctional Protein Deficiency
• Dihydrolipoamide Dehydrogenase Deficiency
• Familial Dysautonomia
• Familial Hyperinsulinism (ABCC8-Related)
• Familial Mediterranean Fever
• Fanconi Anemia Group C
• GRACILE Syndrome
• Gaucher Disease Type 1
• Glycogen Storage Disease Type Ia
• Glycogen Storage Disease Type Ib
• Hereditary Fructose Intolerance
• Herlitz Junctional Epidermolysis Bullosa (LAMB3-Related)
• Leigh Syndrome, French Canadian Type
• Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy Type 2D
• Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy Type 2E
• Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy Type 2I
• MCAD Deficiency
• Maple Syrup Urine Disease Type 1B
• Mucolipidosis Type IV
• Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis (CLN5-Related)
• Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis (PPT1-Related)
• Niemann-Pick Disease Type A
• Nijmegen Breakage Syndrome
• Nonsyndromic Hearing Loss and Deafness, DFNB1 (GJB2-Related)
• Pendred Syndrome and DFNB4 Hearing Loss (SLC26A4-Related)
• Phenylketonuria and Related Disorders
• Primary Hyperoxaluria Type 2
• Rhizomelic Chondrodysplasia Punctata Type 1
• Salla Disease
• Sickle Cell Anemia
• Sjögren-Larsson Syndrome
• Tay-Sachs Disease
• Tyrosinemia Type I
• Usher Syndrome Type 1F
• Usher Syndrome Type 3
• Zellweger Syndrome Spectrum (PEX1-Related)

Is 23andMe Right for You?

Given the extensive breadth of results produced from the genotyping at 23andMe, it becomes a bit easier to understand which individuals may benefit from utilizing their services. Some popular uses of 23andMe include:

• Individuals who were adopted and don’t have access to the medical records of their biological family
• Individuals who are unsure about their true family lineage or what region(s) their ancestors are from
• Individuals hoping to prepare themselves and potentially take proactive steps regarding any hereditary health conditions they might be predisposed to
• Individuals looking to connect with family members they might not have known about
• Men who are concerned that they may experience early hair loss
• Any individual who is curious to learn more about how their DNA may be influencing who they have become and what to expect throughout life

While all of the results produced through 23andMe genotyping can provide individuals with a tremendous insight into their past and future it is important to understand that these tests are not intended to provide any sort or diagnosis, medical decision, medication recommendation, current state of health, or any course of treatment. The purpose of this testing is to provide individuals with access, potential benefits, and a better understanding of their genetic composition.

Is 23andMe Credible and Reliable?

While some may be skeptical of exactly how a sample of saliva can provide so much data about an individual’s health and ancestral history, 23andMe is quite transparent with the science behind their process. All saliva samples are procured through FDA-cleared collection kits, which are manufactured in accordance with the FDA’s Good Manufacturing Practice regulations and sent directly to your door. The samples are then processed in CLIA-certified and CAP-accredited labs. All Genetic Health Risk and Carrier Status reports are certified by the FDA as being scientifically and clinically valid. The custom-built adaptation of the Illumina Global Screening Array used to conduct the genotyping at 23andMe is able to produce ancestry estimates down to the 0.1%

Certifications and Accreditations withstanding, genotyping is still not an exact science and it is important to remember that even though you DNA may show 1 or more of the variations associated with certain traits, conditions, or ancestry nothing can be determined with complete certainty.

How Much Does 23andMe Cost?

The standard pricing on services provided through 23adnMe are:

• Ancestry + Traits Service - $99 (full reports available any time for an additional $125)
• Health + Ancestry Service - $199

23andMe frequently offers customers valuable discounts around the holidays making their services a great gift for an occasion.

23andMe Summary

It is the right of every individual to seek a better understanding about what makes you, you. 23andMe is a tremendous resource that has provided thousands of individuals with health-related benefits, connected families across the world, and continues to revolutionize genotyping research every day. If you think that you may benefit from any of the information provided in the reports we discussed above, visit 23andMe today and learn how to discover what your DNA says about you.