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23andMe DNA Testing Review


ConsumersAdvocate.org Rating: 4.7 / 5 (Excellent)
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Based in California and founded in 2006, 23andMe is a biotechnology company that offers saliva-based genetic testing that is marketed directly to consumers. The company's CLIA-certified lab processes hundreds of thousands of genome variants to produce reports outlining a given customer's ancestry, genetic health risks, wellness, carrier status, and traits.
 
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How is 23andMe rated?

Breakdown

4.8/5
Products & Services
5.0/5
Privacy & Security
4.5/5
Online Resources
4.5/5
Cost & Availability

Overall Rating: 4.7 / 5 (Excellent)

23andMe gets high marks from us mainly because of the depth of reporting for the price. The company can provide you with maternal and paternal autosomal information on your near relatives and deeper ancestry. The extent of result analysis is much more robust than most other companies. Additionally, their FDA-approved carrier and genetic risks tests are one of a kind in the industry. 23andMe can analyze whether you are predisposed to such conditions as Celiac and Parkinson's disease. Overall an enormous amount of information on your past and genetics provided in a fun and interactive format.

23andMe Testing Features

Testing Features - 5 / 5

23andMe uses an FDA-cleared collection device to extract a subject's saliva and conduct qualitative genotyping. The company uses the same genotyping for men and women; clients receive results that use the information based on the DNA inherited from both parents. 23andMe is able to generate a vast amount of interesting and informative material about a person's maternal and paternal lines. With a database of over 3 million people, 23andMe offers some of the most comprehensive testing and result reporting out there.
DNA Testing Features
Autosomal
Y-Chromosome
Mitochondrial
Time for Results
6-8 Weeks
Collection Method
Saliva
Company Does Own Testing
Yes

23andMe Results Analysis

Products & Services - 4.8 / 5

23andMe really shines when it comes to their results analysis. Ancestry reports are extremely thorough, not to mention interactive, fun and easy to use. No other DNA testing service offers such a wealth of information on both recent and deeper ancestry, personal genetics, and health risks. 23andMe can even report on your degree of Neanderthal DNA, if any. Preliminary ancestry results can be available in just a few weeks and contain ancestry composition, maternal line, and paternal line.
Size of Database
Over 3 million people
Number of Geographical Regions Identified
1000+
Identification of Relatives
Yes

23andMe Other Services

Online Resources - 4.5 / 5

23andMe is the only DNA testing company that offers carrier status reports and genetic health reports that are authorized by the FDA. For this, the company had to complete an exhaustive regulatory review from the administration. It is important to mention that these tests only show genetic markers and proclivities, which are no guarantee a subject might contract a given disease. 23andMe's exhaustive carrier test report can show if a user is a carrier of over 40+ conditions including cystic fibrosis and hereditary hearing loss. The company can also gauge genetic health risks from 10 conditions including late-onset Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Finally, the wellness component can predict your genetic predisposition to hair loss and being over/under weight. This additional results analysis gives 23andMe the most complete genetic reporting in the industry.
DNA for Medical Purposes
Yes
Mobile App
Yes
Family Tree Creator
Yes

Member Features

  • Online Forum
  • Contact with Other Members
  • Blog

23andMe Pricing

Cost & Availability - 4.5 / 5

For the extent of testing and depth of analysis and reporting, 23andMe's pricing structure is pretty low compared with other services. What's more, the company typically offers special discounts. Customers can find these clearly advertised on the homepage.
Basic Kit Price
$99

Cost of Add-ons

23andMe provides an expanded plan for $199 that adds genetic health risks, wellness, traits, and carrier status analysis.

23andMe Reputation

Reputation - 5 / 5

23andMe has a BBB grade of B- and a Trustpilot score of 4.5. Most complaints seem to center around customers not agreeing with or understanding their results, or that the reports took longer than expected.
BBB Rating
B-
Number of BBB Positive Reviews
0
Number of BBB Negative Reviews
24
Year Founded
2006
Trust Pilot Rating
4.5 out of 10
Date Collected
2018-03-15

23andMe Privacy

Privacy & Security - 5 / 5

23andMe will under no circumstances share or sell your personal information or results to third parties. The only exception to this rule is if the company is legally obligated, for example, they are court ordered. However, by using the service you are consenting for your information to be used in aggregate. Meaning it can be stripped of all personal information to be used in bulk with other customers for research or to improve services.
Time Company Holds Data
Undisclosed
Disclosure to Third Parties
No
Encryption/Web Security
23andMe employs software, hardware and physical security measures to protect the computers where customer data is stored. The company uses robust authentication methods to access its systems. Personal information and genetic data are stored in physically separate computing environments, which is in line with the industry standards for security.

Company Profile

Full Name
23andMe DNA Testing
Company Website
https://www.23andme.com
Headquarters
1390 Shorebird Way, Mountain View, CA, 94043

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Customer Comments & Reviews

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mandybug44
10/23/2019
I feel 23 and me far supersedes what ancestry does. My dad did ancestry I did 23 and me and I feel like 23 and me is better. I like the way it presents the information, and I like participating in the research. I love seeing updated ancestors and how we match and who we match with in common. It helps me to figure out if a person is related to me or my moms or my dad side.

lakshsathish31
8/30/2019
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Top Rated
Our Partner
  • Tests for 650,000 genetic markers
  • Ancestry results go back 10 generations
  • Partnership with over 200 laboratories
  • Young, growing company
  • Invested in mapping out the world’s genetic roots
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