23andMe, a personal genomics startup, will offer a social-networking tool that allows customers to compare their DNA.

The company’s ultimate goal is to create a genomic and phenotypic database large enough to be used for research, by asking users to voluntarily provide their medical histories and details on their medical conditions. The database would be similar to what’s collected by government and academic institutions for research, but participants would know (and be paid for) the details of their own genome.