Inside 23andMe founder Anne Wojcicki's $99 DNA Revolution

[lighthouse33]

Inside 23andMe founder Anne Wojcicki's $99 DNA Revolution

The $126 million genetic-testing company can tell you how to live smarter, better, and longer. It can also tell you what might kill you.

By: Elizabeth Murphy

http://www.fastcompany.com/3018598/for-99-this-ceo-can-tell-you-what-might-kill-you-inside-23andme-founder-anne-wojcickis-dna-r

Would you want to know about yourself or your children?

[Dee]

I might do it the next time I have $99 to burn, whenever at might be.

[Aquarius]

I have been extremely interested in doing this test.  The downside is and it is a big downside, will it cause excess/compulsive worry.  For example, if the test indicates a greater than normal risk of a disease like ALS, one can't just erase that from memory. 

On the other hand, there are some diseases that I do believe with forewarning, one can take steps to stave off or minimize - potentially.   If the test shows a propensity to Alzheimers, I would proactively take Tumeric daily.   

[slccom]

They are seriously overstating the usefulness of their results at this point. With the exception of a very few genes, such as for Huntington's Chorea or the BRAC genes, we really don't know how the genes and the environment interact, if they will ever be expressed, and if they are, how much.

I wouldn't waste my time or money. If there are serious issues in my family, I would go see a  genetic counselor.

Sharon

[Velcro]

I actually would like to do it.  Yes, I know it can cause worry, but I also think that I already worry about stuff.  For example, an Aunt with Parkinsons?  Am I going to get it?  A Grandmother with extreme gestational diabetes, moi? 

At least I think I would know for sure what is possible.

[Sooki]

I would love to do it.  I'm an information junkie and would love to able to read news reports of genetic research and know what my genome held.  Having a gene doesn't make things worse than they already are.  Always seems like more knowledge is better.  Some day when I don't have a more urgent need of $99, I may spring for it.

[wisconsin41]

My spit tube was just received by the lab. 

[wisconsin41]

   I did it out of curiosity. My mother was into genealogy and I'm a scientist at heart so I went for it  
   I did notice that Sjogrens was one of the diseases they can "test" for. I am not sure what they look for in that regard.

[Velcro]

Do they ask you what current diseases you have?  I think it would be interesting to say none, then see if it comes back with what we know we have already.

[wisconsin41]

The sample can be sent in with just your name and birth date. They do have surveys on the website, I have been resisting giving them any information though

[Velcro]

It makes me curious since I have biopsy confirmed Linear Morphea if it would show I had a high % chance of developing it

[wisconsin41]

"Your sample was received at our laboratory on 10/19/2013 and is currently in the queue to go through DNA extraction and amplification." Hope I don't have to wait the 4 weeks...

[Dee]

Cool, let us know what you get back to the extent you are comfortable or at least your impression of the findings, such as whether you felt it worthwhile, categories of results, etc,that do not divulge anything too personal.

If I get a holiday bonus this year I will do this to satisfy my curiosity factor.

Dee

[Velcro]

When I get back from vacation and through the holidays, I think I'm just curious enough to try it too.

[wisconsin41]

"Now for the good stuff! We started analyzing your DNA on 11/01/2013.
Analysis may take 1 to 3 weeks."

Yeah!