23andMe provides convenient testing to help individuals better understand how certain variants in their DNA can create a predisposition to a number of genetic health risks. This testing can also provide a detailed breakdown of your ancestral background and certain personality traits that you may develop throughout life.
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.
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 Reports
Traits Reports (30+ Traits Tested)
Other Reports
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
Wellness Reports
Carrier Status Reports
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:
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.
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.
The standard pricing on services provided through 23adnMe are:
23andMe frequently offers customers valuable discounts around the holidays making their services a great gift for an occasion.
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.