23andMe tests your DNA to provide insights into your ancestry, traits, and health predispositions. They analyze specific locations in your genome using genotyping, identifying variations known to differ between individuals. This analysis is not a diagnosis but rather provides information to help you understand your genetic makeup.
What Information Does 23andMe Provide?
23andMe offers a range of reports based on your DNA analysis, broadly categorized as follows:
Ancestry:
- Ancestry Composition: Determines your ethnic origins and provides a breakdown of your ancestral makeup across various populations.
- DNA Relatives: Connects you with potential relatives who have also used 23andMe's services.
- Ancestry Timeline: Maps out your family's migratory patterns over generations.
Traits:
- Physical Traits: Predicts certain physical characteristics based on your genetic information. Examples could include things like eye color or hair texture.
- Genetic Traits: Provides information on inherited predispositions to certain traits, such as the likelihood of having certain genetic conditions.
Health Predispositions:
- Health Predisposition Reports: Assess your genetic risk for specific health conditions. Important Note: These reports do not diagnose diseases and should not be considered medical advice. Examples include risks for Type 2 Diabetes, Hereditary Prostate Cancer (related to HOXB13), Anxiety, and Asthma. The tests look at specific Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) which may be linked to an increased likelihood of developing these conditions.
How it Works:
- You provide a saliva sample.
- 23andMe uses genotyping to analyze your DNA.
- The results are processed and turned into personalized reports.
Important Considerations:
- 23andMe reports do not diagnose health conditions or provide medical advice.
- A genetic variant linked to a higher risk for a condition does not guarantee you will develop that condition. Lifestyle and environmental factors also play a significant role.
- 23andMe's health reports only look at specific genetic variations, not the whole genome.
