23andme now explores your ancestry

Reveals people’s ancestral origins going back 500 years and more
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.