23 and Me Genetic Testing? Is it useful or a scam?

[Anonymous]

Seems interesting, but does it really tell you anything useful?

[Anonymous]

Someone here knew how to interpret the data to figure out they have the Alzheimer's gene. I'm not sure if I'd want to know that or not, though. I only read the thread once, so I'm not sure what others commented. You may want to search for that thread. It was within the past week or so.

[Anonymous]

I know someone who did genetic testing after her father came down with Huntington's disease. She showed up as definitely having it. And she contemplated assisted suicide. But she decided against it and is still living with her husband and their young children.

[Anonymous]

I don't think it's a scam, but it may be more interesting than useful. Not sure when PP's stories date from, but several years ago the company was offering fairly extensive information on inherited disorders. The FDA got involved because it was "medical advice" and they scaled back to almost nothing, and then recently came back with a limited set of carrier information. I believe they have also offered ancestry information throughout.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/23andMe#Product_changes

You should look at the list of what they now offer, and see if it's stuff you care to know about. For me, it isn't. (I wish I'd had it done pre-FDA but I put it off.)

[Anonymous]

Pre FDA it was worth it. Not sure it is now since you don't get the same amount of medical information. If you were adopted and looking for relatives or basic background information then it would still be worth it.

[Anonymous]

Not a scam, at all. Since 23 and Me, many other companies have started offering similar testing and it is becoming more and more "in reach" for everyone with regards to price.

[Anonymous]

Even if 23 and me can no longer tell you the interpretation of the genetic findings, you can upload your raw data to a number of free sites online and find out what it might mean, medically.

I have a half sibling that my mother was forced to surrender for adoption, so I'm more curious to do it just to find blood relatives out there.

[Anonymous]

I did it and it found a brca genetic mutation plus a factor v Leiden mutation. I already knew I had both of those but was impressed it gave me the correct info. It also located another breast cancer risk factor and I'm following up with medical testing to confirm, on the advice of my dr.

So I've found it useful, but it can also give you a lot of info that you won't know what to do with. Most of the doctors I've asked about it roll their eyes. Only my breast doctor takes it seriously.

[Anonymous]

I and 2 other close relatives did ours before the FDA stepped in. It turned up some interesting conditions that we are supposedly disposed toward and confirmed some conditions that do run in the family. I was happy to not carry known breast cancer or Alzheimer's genes.

[Anonymous]

Is there a similar service with better privacy practices?

[Anonymous]

My husband did it before the FDa stepped in and actually requested that they not inform him of his medical test results. He did not want to know if he had the Alzheimer's gene etc. it was fun to see the ancestry information and they have some funny things they tell you like what percent Neandrethal genetic material you have.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is there a similar service with better privacy practices?

This is my main concern. How safe is your data?

[Anonymous]

How is this different from what Ancestry DNA gives you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't think it's a scam, but it may be more interesting than useful. Not sure when PP's stories date from, but several years ago the company was offering fairly extensive information on inherited disorders. The FDA got involved because it was "medical advice" and they scaled back to almost nothing, and then recently came back with a limited set of carrier information. I believe they have also offered ancestry information throughout.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/23andMe#Product_changes

You should look at the list of what they now offer, and see if it's stuff you care to know about. For me, it isn't. (I wish I'd had it done pre-FDA but I put it off.)

They still give you the raw data, but you have to now bring that raw data to a 3rd party for interpretation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is there a similar service with better privacy practices?

Yes, this is the thing... Ethically, your DNA is now out there and you've basically signed away rights to it.