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- Our Genetic Health Risk*Learn about Considerations and Limitations for Health Predispositions Reports, Carrier Status Reports and Genetic Health Risks, Carrier Status*Learn about Considerations and Limitations for Health Predispositions Reports, Carrier Status Reports and Genetic Health Risks , and Pharmacogenetics**Learn about Considerations and Limitations for Pharmacogenetics Reports reports meet FDA criteria for being scientifically
and clinically valid and accurate - All saliva samples are processed in CLIA-certified and CAP-accredited labs
- Our DNA collection kit is FDA-cleared for use with our Genetic Health Risk, Carrier Status, and Pharmacogenetics reports
- Our kit is manufactured in accordance with FDA's Good Manufacturing Practice regulations
- Genotyping is a well-established and reliable platform for analyzing DNA
- Our team of scientists and medical experts uses a robust process to develop reports to ensure validity
- Ancestry percentages are derived from our powerful, well-tested system that provides you with ancestry estimates down to the 0.1%
How your DNA becomes a report.
Human DNA is about 99.5% identical from person to person. However, there are small differences that make each person unique. These differences are called variants.
Your DNA was passed down from your parents—and their parents and so on. Variants can be linked to certain health conditions, traits and ancestry groups.
Your saliva contains DNA from cells in your mouth. We send you a saliva collection kit and instructions for providing your sample.
As part of our methodology, our CLIA-certified lab extracts DNA from cells in your saliva sample. Then the lab processes the DNA on a genotyping chip that reads hundreds of thousands of variants in your genome.
Your genetic data is analyzed, and we generate your personalized reports based on well-established scientific and medical research.
Why genetics is only part of the story.
When it comes to your health and traits, DNA is only part of the story. Your genes can raise your chances for many diseases, but they do not typically work alone. Health and longevity are influenced by other variables, including non-genetic factors, such as your environment and lifestyle. Let’s take type 2 diabetes (T2D) for example, the most common — and to an extent preventable — form of diabetes.
Data from a few large studies estimate between 20-80 percent of the risk for developing the disease may be explained by genetics. That being said, your age, diet, weight, ethnicity, and activity levels all play a role.
To break it down a little further, your weight — or more specifically your Body Mass Index (BMI) — contributes to your chances of developing T2D, but your weight is also influenced by a complex mix of genetics, lifestyle, and your environment. An unhealthy diet and a sedentary lifestyle contribute to higher BMI, but obesity also runs in families, and families tend to share similar diet and lifestyle choices along with genetics.
All in all, it’s important to recognize that your genetic predisposition, your DNA, is not your destiny, but knowing you may have a higher genetic likelihood for a disease such as T2D can help motivate you to make healthier choices.
Our process at work.
To ensure quality, your DNA analysis is performed in US laboratories that are certified by CLIA (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988) and accredited by the College of American Pathologists (CAP).
More about our labMore on: our lab.
A CLIA-certified and CAP-accredited lab must meet certain quality standards, including qualifications for individuals who perform the test and other standards that ensure the accuracy and reliability of results.
Sequencing is a method that determines the exact DNA letters and their order in a stretch of DNA. Genotyping looks at DNA letters of interest at specific locations. Genotyping is the technology that 23andMe uses to analyze your DNA.
Our genotyping looks at hundreds of thousands of specific locations on your DNA. These locations are known to vary between individuals, and some are associated with certain conditions, traits, or ancestry.
We use leading technology to genotype your DNA—a custom version of the lllumina Global Screening Array.
Meet some of our researchers.
Here are some of the people behind the science at 23andMe.
Hi. Still have questions about science?
Here are just a few of the things people frequently ask about 23andMe.
If you don't see your question here, get in touch with us.
A variant is a difference in the DNA sequence between two individuals. Variants can cause specific diseases, contribute to diseases or traits (along with the environment), or have no effect. Variants can be passed down from parent to child.
The analysis we perform is called genotyping. Genotyping looks at specific locations in your DNA and identifies variations. These variations make you unique.
In choosing these specific locations, we focus on the variations that are known to be associated with important health conditions, ancestry and traits. Genotyping is a great way to start understanding how your genetics can impact your life.
23andMe refers to the 23 pairs of chromosomes in your DNA.
Check out our educational videos.
*The 23andMe PGS test includes health predisposition and carrier status reports. Health predisposition reports include both reports that meet FDA requirements for genetic health risks and reports which are based on 23andMe research and have not been reviewed by the FDA. The test uses qualitative genotyping to detect select clinically relevant variants in the genomic DNA of adults from saliva for the purpose of reporting and interpreting genetic health risks and reporting carrier status. It is not intended to diagnose any disease. Your ethnicity may affect the relevance of each report and how your genetic health risk results are interpreted. Each genetic health risk report describes if a person has variants associated with a higher risk of developing a disease, but does not describe a person’s overall risk of developing the disease. The test is not intended to tell you anything about your current state of health, or to be used to make medical decisions, including whether or not you should take a medication, how much of a medication you should take, or determine any treatment. Our carrier status reports can be used to determine carrier status, but cannot determine if you have two copies of any genetic variant. These carrier reports are not intended to tell you anything about your risk for developing a disease in the future, the health of your fetus, or your newborn child's risk of developing a particular disease later in life. For certain conditions, we provide a single report that includes information on both carrier status and genetic health risk. Warnings & Limitations: The 23andMe PGS Genetic Health Risk Report for BRCA1/BRCA2 (Selected Variants) is indicated for reporting of 44 variants in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. The report describes if a person's genetic result is associated with an increased risk of developing breast cancer and ovarian cancer and may be associated with an increased risk for prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, and potentially other cancers. The variants included in this report do not represent the majority of the BRCA1/BRCA2 variants in people of most ethnicities. This report does not include variants in other genes linked to hereditary cancers and the absence of variants included in this report does not rule out the presence of other genetic variants that may impact cancer risk. This report is for over-the-counter use by adults over the age of 18, and provides genetic information to inform discussions with a healthcare professional. The PGS test is not a substitute for visits to a healthcare professional for recommended screenings or appropriate follow-up. Results should be confirmed in a clinical setting before taking any medical action. For important information and limitations regarding each genetic health risk and carrier status report, visit 23andme.com/test-info/
**23andMe PGS Pharmacogenetics reports: The 23andMe test uses qualitative genotyping to detect 3 variants in the CYP2C19 gene, 2 variants in the DPYD gene and 1 variant in the SLCO1B1 gene in the genomic DNA of adults from saliva for the purpose of reporting and interpreting information about the processing of certain therapeutics to inform discussions with a healthcare professional. It does not describe if a person will or will not respond to a particular therapeutic. Our CYP2C19 Pharmacogenetics report provides certain information about variants associated with metabolism of some therapeutics and provides interpretive drug information regarding the potential effect of citalopram and clopidogrel therapy. Our SLCO1B1 Pharmacogenetics report provides certain information about variants associated with the processing of some therapeutics and provides interpretive drug information regarding the potential effect of simvastatin therapy. Our DPYD Pharmacogenetics report does not describe the association between detected variants and any specific therapeutic. Results for DPYD and certain CYP2C19 results should be confirmed by an independent genetic test prescribed by your own healthcare provider before taking any medical action. Warning: Test information should not be used to start, stop, or change any course of treatment and does not test for all possible variants that may affect metabolism or protein function. The PGS test is not a substitute for visits to a healthcare professional. Making changes to your current regimen can lead to harmful side effects or reduced intended benefits of your medication, therefore consult with your healthcare professional before taking any medical action. For important information and limitations regarding Pharmacogenetic reports, visit 23andme.com/test-info/pharmacogenetics/