What do you get out of 23andme?
What better way to discover who you really are than paying a large sum of money, spitting in a tube, and waiving all rights to your genetic information?
While you can hopefully think of other options, I [impulse] purchased the 23andMe DNA Testing Kit on Amazon Prime Day (7.11.17), discounted to a price of $99. JetBlue also partnered with Amazon to do a 3X point bonus on Prime Day, so that was more incentive tothrow my money away buy things I normally wouldn't. Anyways, I was always curious about what genetic testing entailed, and wondered if it would tell me information about my health that I never knew.
Literally one day later, a small box was at my door, containing another small box with colorful chromosomes adorning the bottom border. I read the instructions, created an online account, and agreed that the company could use whatever information they please. (Maybe that's why I'm also ok with posting my results in the public below, might as well release my info before they do.)
After taking a few minutes to sign up, I waited a few hours after I ate dinner to spit in a small plastic tube- which was a very exhausting process. I mailed my saliva in the shipping-free-in-US box that the kit came in, and regularly checked my email for any updates, occasionally answering a "research survey" to supplement my results. About 6 weeks later, I got an email saying that they analyzed my DNA, and logged in to find a report that was only a few pages long.
So what do you get out of 23andme?
Genetic Health Risk/Carrier Status
These reports tell you if you carry a genetic variant likely to develop into conditions such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Luckily, I had none, but this was not an official diagnosis. It's still slightly reassuring, I'd likely simultaneously yolo more while becoming a hypochondriac if it was bad news.
Ancestry Composition
The report estimates your ancestry. I knew I was 100% Asian, but I always thought I was half-Chinese/half-Cambodian, so it was pretty cool to find out I'm likely more Southeast Asian/Cambodian.
Traits
While "fun," I could've looked in a mirror and figured most of these out. At least I hopefully won't have to buy Rogaine in the future!
Wellness
Nothing super useful about health, although I am sad to confirm my lactose intolerance. I smized when I saw my muscle composition report.
And a summary page. You can also click into bullet points for more detailed information, but it is very general info that may not personally apply to you.
Overall, this was a fun first venture into genetic testing. This report wasn't really life changing (I think in most cases it's negative when it is), but I do see how it'd be useful to people with ambiguous backgrounds who don't know where their families are from. If you're looking to improve your health, I don't think this does much, although Amazon reviewers say you can send info to Promethease, something I'm much too lazy to do. In the meantime, my 62.2% Southeast Asian self will still be trying to live my best life.
While you can hopefully think of other options, I [impulse] purchased the 23andMe DNA Testing Kit on Amazon Prime Day (7.11.17), discounted to a price of $99. JetBlue also partnered with Amazon to do a 3X point bonus on Prime Day, so that was more incentive to
Literally one day later, a small box was at my door, containing another small box with colorful chromosomes adorning the bottom border. I read the instructions, created an online account, and agreed that the company could use whatever information they please. (Maybe that's why I'm also ok with posting my results in the public below, might as well release my info before they do.)
After taking a few minutes to sign up, I waited a few hours after I ate dinner to spit in a small plastic tube- which was a very exhausting process. I mailed my saliva in the shipping-free-in-US box that the kit came in, and regularly checked my email for any updates, occasionally answering a "research survey" to supplement my results. About 6 weeks later, I got an email saying that they analyzed my DNA, and logged in to find a report that was only a few pages long.
So what do you get out of 23andme?
Genetic Health Risk/Carrier Status
These reports tell you if you carry a genetic variant likely to develop into conditions such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Luckily, I had none, but this was not an official diagnosis. It's still slightly reassuring, I'd likely simultaneously yolo more while becoming a hypochondriac if it was bad news.
Ancestry Composition
The report estimates your ancestry. I knew I was 100% Asian, but I always thought I was half-Chinese/half-Cambodian, so it was pretty cool to find out I'm likely more Southeast Asian/Cambodian.
Traits
While "fun," I could've looked in a mirror and figured most of these out. At least I hopefully won't have to buy Rogaine in the future!
Wellness
And a summary page. You can also click into bullet points for more detailed information, but it is very general info that may not personally apply to you.
Overall, this was a fun first venture into genetic testing. This report wasn't really life changing (I think in most cases it's negative when it is), but I do see how it'd be useful to people with ambiguous backgrounds who don't know where their families are from. If you're looking to improve your health, I don't think this does much, although Amazon reviewers say you can send info to Promethease, something I'm much too lazy to do. In the meantime, my 62.2% Southeast Asian self will still be trying to live my best life.
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