23andMe
Here I will catalog in pseudo-blog form my 23andMe experience. But first, what is 23andMe? If you already know about 23andMe feel free to skip the next paragraph.
23andMe is a privately-held genetic information company with close ties to Google and Genentech two leaders in their respective industries. As a matter of fact one of the co-founders, Anne Wojcicki is married to Google co-founder Sergey Brin. A genetics company that is buddy buddy with the premier web services and innovation catalyst that is Google, what’s not to love? More info on 23andMe can be found on their website, 23andMe.com.
I first heard about 23andMe in late 2008 when Kevin Rose, internet superstar and founder at digg.com and revision3.com mentioned it on an episode of Diggnation. Over the next few months Kevin tweeted his 23andMe experience and fueled my curiosity. As a child of science and a nut for genetics I knew I wanted to have myself genotyped as well but at the time it was cost prohibitive. Fast forward to today…
Through the end of September 23andMe is offering a limited version of their genetic testing for $99. The research edition as they call it can be later upgraded to the full edition which includes ancestry and carrier status for recessive traits and a few other added values. The full version retails for $399. Compare the two versions here
Tuesday, September 8, 2009: After a quick twitter exchange with Chia Hwu 23andMe’s community manager who man’s the @23andMe twitter account I have decided to move forward the purchasing the $99 research version. (Hey, who said twitter other social media outlets don’t have a viable business model?) I plan to upgrade at the end of the year when the product updates to the research version end. The confirmation email that I received states I should receive my order “within a few days”. So, now I wait.
Full disclosure:
While it sort of sounds like I’m writing an ad for 23andMe, I’m not. I’m not being paid, I paid for my test and as far as I can tell I’m not getting special treatment or attention. Aside from a publicly visible twitter exchange which took place on September 8, 2009 between 3:30 and 5pm CDT I haven’t had contact with any 23andMe employees. I don’t have any direct financial interest in 23andMe but I do own a few shares of Google. I have nothing to disclose, no secrets no bribes, nada. Besides, if they wanted to hire someone to write favorable blogs about them I’m sure they would choose someone with better writing skills and more advanced CSS on their blog! (That part about the CSS was a joke, you may now laugh)