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23andMe is a DNA testing service that offers one of the most comprehensive health screening and genetic testing packages in the market.
In this guide, we'll cover the key features, costs and pros vs cons of 23andMe's testing service, so that you can decide if it's the right DNA kit for you.
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Launched in 2006, 23andMe is a major US-based genetic testing company that was one of the earliest companies to offer DNA testing services online. Today, 23andMe ships its testing kits to more than 50 countries worldwide, including Australia, as listed below.
Just like other DNA testing websites, you can order a DNA testing kit from 23andMe directly online. Once the DNA kit has been delivered to you, just follow the instructions provided. You might be asked to either spit into a test tube or swab the insides of your mouth. Following this, ship your sample back to 23andMe in the same pre-paid package. You may get your results online within a further two to five weeks.
23andMe offers three different services, each at a different cost.
Shipping costs can vary between $9.95 and $24.95 based on the type of shipping and delivery you opt for. Transaction fees may also apply.
Here's exactly what you can expect with a 23andMe kit.
Pros
Cons
23andMe offers one of the most comprehensive DNA tests on the market, for each price point. Its cheapest package, coming in at $99 USD offers helpful insights into your ethnic composition, inherited traits and potential relatives. More expensive packages grant access to FDA-backed medical analysis and even one-to-one walkthroughs of your ancestry results.
Whichever package you choose, 23andMe draws on a huge pool of data to give you detailed analyses, with interesting reports and helpful tools like DNA Relatives. Whether you're testing your DNA to learn more about your ethnicity, understand future health risks or reach out to long-lost relatives, 23andMe just might have the tool for you.