Item: 23andMe
Rating: 1
Author: Madison K

23andMe sells DNA kits to offer personalized reports on genetic insights, ancestry, and trait variation. 

Tech

23andMe offers a unique service allowing users to explore their genetic makeup and heritage. The brand is praised for its informative results, user-friendly experience, and frequent updates. However, there are concerns about data privacy and the potential misuse of personal information, as well as some disappointment about the level of detail and accuracy in the results.

23andMe

Dna kit

Health Trackers

Yikes, so sorry to hear that. You likely already know, but there’s a class action lawsuit against them. I heard certain states that have strict laws, like CA, will get more money. My Auntie gifted me one for my bday (I don’t have it yet). It sounds like I shouldn’t use it. 

I purchased a DNA and Health kit during the holidays when it was $50 off $150. The process was super simple, results didn’t take long, and the communication/tracking was good. The app is also really well done and as the product evolves and gets better the app just automatically updates and includes that new info. 

I appreciated the health variant markers that it tested for as well as the ancestry mapping to specific regions. I was also able to sync up with other family members who have taken the test so it builds up our profiles and can find distant relatives.

I would purchase again and for others as gifts.

Not trustworthy. I did a DNA kit and the info was nothing surprising. Presented well; however, they have since had a data breach and waited to report it and have tried to downplay it.  Have since requested all my info be deleted...

Useful biology. Wearing sunglasses to protect eyes from point mutated protein


I got 23andme for Christmas a few years ago and it has been so cool getting connected with family members all over the country and world. It was so easy to take the DNA test and to send the sample back to them. They will periodically update your DNA results and make your ancestry more specific. I bought the one that also told you what conditions you are pre-disposed to have which was very useful it you are like me and what to take precautions early or want to know what runs in your family. 
I will be buying my fiancé one soon as a gift so he can find out his ancestry! 

Did this several years ago.  Continue to get updates.  Interesting.  

I purchased 23andMe WAY back in my first years of high school. I always heard crazy stories about what it could tell you, but I had no idea the impact it would ultimately create on my life. For the better, we learned that my 58-year-old dad's dad AND the last name I've lived under the last 24-years hasn't been an accurate depiction. If you have any holes in your family story and timeline, I cannot recommend enough. It was a must-have for ours and brought us closer together than it did drive us apart. Not to mention, the new premium features are outstanding and can truly tell you so much about yourself genetically and your health predispositions. 

the stats were insightful, and it's nice that they keep coming out with new information about your dna

Pros: Learning about your genetics is entertaining. When they first came out, they provided more health-related data than the other large DNA test co, Ancestry, which I appreciated.

Cons: they sell your data. They imply that there's a lot more info provided than there really is, relative to the amount of info in our DNA. What you get is really just a sliver. 

Bottom line: I had genetic testing done through my doctor recently. If I do more testing "at home," 
 it will be with a company with better privacy policies, who don't sell our most personal info to large corporations. 

My only disappointment is that I have no famous relatives. I loved learning about my family background and tree. Reveals so much!!! 

Found out I was way more British then I thought 🤣 very humbling 

LOVE THIS!  
Here's the deal.... my father was adopted at birth.  It was a closed adoption; towards the end of his life, he thought he had gotten close - he believed that his birth family surname was "Justis" - time was too short, and despite trying, he was not ever able to locate his birth family.  

My dad had a series of health issues (diabetes, heart disease), and it could not be known if there was a family disposition for such or not.  It left him frustrated, and my siblings and I wanted to find out what we could do.   The 23 and Me DNA kit led us in the right direction......
I submitted my DNA first. The results were fascinating to me and my two siblings. While we were familiar with what we might learn from our Mom's side, our dad's results would be completely new information—it kind of felt like Christmas morning!
But beyond the ethnic background - there was a DNA match...and the individual had the last name of "Justin!!!!"   I reached out immediately - It's been about 3 years and have yet to hear back from this DNA match.  We are still hopeful and will move on to greater detective work in the next block of time.
Thanks 23 and Me.

I love doing 23 and me. It was wonderful to find out about my family members and ancestry. it felt very confidential, and I got my results very quickly 

Initially, I was so excited about the opportunities a site like 23andme would provide. Since submitting my test tube of spit many years ago, I have had my dna and data sold in a security breach and  watched this company’s demise. Unfortunately, it was at all of the customers expense. I would never recommend a service like this. Stay away!

Being an international adoptee, it was important to me to determine what my genetic roots are, to find family members, and to see which health traits or genetics I carry. I wasn’t very impressed with the health aspect of it after purchasing the health add-on. It really only told me that I was less likely to have detached earlobes and other things that I already knew about myself because it was obvious. For the price I would say it’s interesting to know what your ancestry is, but the health add-on is not worth it. 

Personally I think 23andMe could do a much better job explaining what happens to your data, and how it is processed. Do they sell it on for research? If so, how is the data used?

I'm so happy I decided to take a 23andMe DNA test. I purchased it at a special Black Friday deal, took the test and then had results back within a few weeks. I learned that many of my habits are actually influenced by genetics. I love coffee. My genetics mean I'm more likely to consume more caffeine 😅. Apparently I have more Neanderthal DNA than 80% of the population 🙈.

I also connected with a few distant relatives and pieced together our shared family history.

The final thing I like about 23andMe is that it keeps getting better - they add new genetic reports all of the time.

Took a while, but I also shipped from London

Obsessed, really interesting and loved connecting with relatives

I only knocked it down to 4/5 because they, like every other brand at the moment, have introduced a subscription to access more information.

I really enjoyed this, especially getting to learn more about myself and what makes me, me. There is a ton of information that I would have never related to genetics otherwise and it's opened the door for even more exploration as my mother has tested herself as well. 

I purchased the health kit a year or two ago to figure out more about my genetic predispositions (and to prove to my doctors that certain medications do nothing for me) and it made me feel very validated. I wish they had even more insights but at least it's more than what I could find with other brands. I was also able to download my sequencing and upload it with other companies and find some extra insights. I also believe it's HSA/FSA eligible but I am not 100% sure. 

I've done all of the tests in this space (Ancestry, 23andme, myheritage dna... hell, even two for two of my dogs, embark and wisdom panel). This is the best. The user experience online is the most robust for your money.

AncestryDNA connects really nicely to Ancestry.com if you already have family who participate there and it can connect really nicely with your family tree, etc. That said, it's the most expensive and it costs more to layer on those levels/access that info. I'd recommend it for a month if you're looking for answers (I'm guessing you are, if this is a service you want...) and then cancel. On a recurring monthly basis it just gets crazy expensive unless you are literally a full time genealogist and/or some sort of heiress.

23andme is my pick if you're just casually looking to learn more about your ethnic background. It's a fun gift for parents or grandparents. (Also fun to compare all of your results and understand what pieces come from where.) They update their DNA database regularly, so though you order once, you can check in on your results and watch them constantly evolve. That's a great plus.