23andme now explores your ancestry
December 14, 2012
(Credit: 23andme)
23 and me announced today Ancestry Composition, a new service that will reveal the geographic origins of your DNA, included in 23 and me’s new $99 one-time price (was $299).
Using 22 reference populations, the feature indicates what percent of a person’s ancestry comes from various regions around the world. The analysis includes DNA inherited from all ancestors on both sides of the family. The results reflect where an individual’s ancestors lived going back approximately 500 years.
Ancestry Composition offers state-of-the art detail for people with European ancestry, breaking it out into several regions with the ability to identify distinct ancestral origins, such as: British and Irish, Scandinavian, Italian and Ashkenazi Jewish, among others. It also offers very accurate breakdowns for individuals of mixed ancestry, African Americans, Latinos and Native Americans.
With 23andMe’s exclusive “Chromosome View,” people can see their personal ancestry reflected segment-by-segment on each of their 23 pairs of chromosomes.
23andMe also enables people to see the specific ancestry inherited from each parent when at least one parent also uses the service.
A white paper outlining the technical detail and methodology of the feature is available on the company’s website at: www.23andMe.com/ancestry_composition_guide.
Comments (31)
by Spencer Collins
Are you two testing the relevance filter?
by Marcos Marin
more like the delete button…
and resveratrol =)
by grayfox9x
If the resveratrol is from Napa Cabernet, I am always in .. ;-)
by Erik
Nice deal… bought ten kits.
by alliwant
$99 is pretty cheap to indulge lifelong curiosity. I’m pretty sure there are few surprises in my genome, but the details might be worth the price. What’s it worth to know that most of your ancestry is from Delft instead of Marburg? It’s too personal to generalize about; trivial to some, priceless to others.
by anthony hadfiedl
The ancestry bit it a side element, 23andme basically provide genetic information of over 100 diseases for which you may be a carrier at risk, plus a lot of personal trait data, and sensitivity to drugs etc. Your not primarily paying for ancestry data. i had mine done a year a go and its worth every penny just ot know what is not likely to kill you.
by Bob Vasquez
Vive la différence.
by roy
To those who “scorn” this, maybe I’m missing something, but I don’t see wanting to know your exact genetic origin by country being self centered, but simply curiosity; and if I’ve got $99 to throw away on such a frivolous activity, what’s it to you?
by GatorALLin
….just to be fair, the 23andMe.com has a lot more to offer than just the Ancestry part. Most of the value is to track risk factors for health problems so you can plan around them. If you are at high risk for sun cancer you need to double up on you sun block… (due to your ancestry of light skin or other things of course). Finding out what percentage of your history links back to neanderthals is just interesting to know for example….but does have to do with your DNA makeup and that of course ties back into you health, etc. btw..once you figure out that you have a 23% higher chance than others to get colon cancer, you can link into online crowd sourcing groups that research for your exact genotype match so you know what to do to help fix it (or reduce your risk) or you can opt in for particpating in free drug trials or other things. At least be on the cutting edge of research for that topic. Very cool stuff if your health is worth $99 …….. I have 0% affiliation to their comapny btw…. I signed up 2 years ago and love it. I get emails about once per month of new things they test for or discover (using my original spit sample to match it to). I would agree a bit too tech or cutting edge for most people, but ideal for any fans of crowd souring or if you think you might be on the cut off edge of the singularity (escape velocity of living longer/forever). thus this group should be a good fit.
by Marcos Marin
Exactly. You ARE missing something. In fact you are missing everything. The point was diametrically opposite.
by Mr.X
@Roy: Do you all have problems with reading comprehension!?I knew you educational system is lacking but… well this isn’t the first time this happens.Although my writing could be the problem.
No, seriously, I said it is self-centered to say something is not interesting just because it does not pertain to oneself.I cited the “scorn” comment.So, you conflated two commentators;)
Anyway: Self-centered is far too strong a word (conotation), but we whose proficency in this language is limited have only so much alternatives to chose from.That’s why we often sound much dumber and much more rude than we (hopefully) are :)
I personally find this to be very interesting.
by 3vilmonkey
Yeah, actually this is just a knock-off product trying to copy the real Genome Ancestry project pioneered by the National Geographic Society & IBM. If you want the real deal, then get it here:
http://shop.nationalgeographic.com/ngs/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=2001246&code=SR50004
by Cloudswrest
Does the National Geographic product test you for cystic fibrosis, HIV resistance, BRCA breast cancer gene and dozens of other genetic issues. You get real value with 23andme, not just vanity info.
by Gorden Russell
This is only mildly interesting. As an adopted child, I scorn those who gave me up as a baby and don’t want to know anything about them. I certainly don’t have $99 worth of interest in these people.
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By the way, the pickings seem sparse today. Only three links. Let us all hope that Amara hasn’t come down with the flu.
by Satan
If you don’t know the circumstances behind your adoption, scorn is not a healthy attitude – speaking from experience. Most mothers do not really want to give up their child.
On a lighter note, I did have to give up my son to a human family. I think Dec 21st he takes over the Earth and digs me out from the centre of your planet, I forget.
by Marcos Marin
Almost there…
by Marcos Marin
At least bandwidth down there is better than at the UN…
by Marcos Marin
Don’t be a fool! It’s not about what particular rapist led to you. It’s about what sort of genetic flaws led to you! Though you may have a point on the 99$ per self-interest part.
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It’s an xmas miracle.
by de Broglie
Marcos, I am not trying to be a white knight, but I don’t think you should imply that Gorden’s biological father is a rapist. Have some decorum. You print very interesting comments, but this is a little too far.
by Marcos Marin
I guess I should probably agree with you.
by Ian Clarke
Well, Gorden, whilst it’s quiet, why don’t you tell us your top 5 wish-list stories – those that would make your year to see reported here. Anything you like, but must be in keeping with the genre of the site.
by Mr.X
“This is only mildly interesting. As an adopted child, I scorn..”
Pretty self-centered.I think it’s highly interesting.
by Garrun
I also thought it was interesting, and in fact went to the site to order a kit for my adopted wife who is quite interested in her origins.
by Marcos Marin
You adopted a wife?
by Mr.X
I can’t believe it either!Only one!?
by Marcos Marin
I agree. (reply pending to Mr. Russel, you may infer what sort of language I’ve used ^_^)
I for one am eager to finally confirm my Nordic Nobility roots!
by snake0
>Pretty self-centered
Perhaps its genetic!
by de Broglie
I am actually really surprised that Amara is able to read all these articles and write the blurbs. She must do a lot of reading. When does she take vacation?
by Mr.X
Robots don’t need any!
by Editor
Slow news day. I appreciate your concern!
by Jerry
Coincidently so too was my father adopted and happens to share the same last name. After my dad tracked down his birth mother (he must have been close to 40 at the time) they were all very happy to meet him, including his half-sister and all her children! It must have been great for him to be around when she passed away a few years ago too. You have ZERO clue what your birth parents intentions were or why they did what they did, and in some cases it’s for your own benefit. That is real love!