23 and me - frequently asked questions

1. What is 23andMe?

23andMe is a web-based service that helps customers read and understand their DNA. Customers submit a small saliva sample that is processed using a custom DNA chip. The resulting data is then presented on a secure website using interactive tools that offer information about ancestry, inherited traits and disease risk.

2. How much does it cost?

$399 per person, plus shipping and handling.

3. Can I order it for my family?

Yes. You can order as many kits as you need for your family to the same shipping address.

4. What countries do you ship to?

The United States, Canada and most countries in Europe.

5. How can I give the Personal Genome Service as a gift?

Simply enter your credit card and billing information in our online store, but list the shipping address of your gift recipient(s). You will need to provide names of all the people to whom you wish to give genotyping services. Each saliva collection kit that we ship will be clearly labeled with the name of the person for whom it is designated. Detailed instructions regarding the sample collection process and 23andMe account creation will be included, along with consent forms that must be read and signed by each customer.

What information will other users see when I share with them?

When you invite another 23andMe user to share profiles, you will be able to compare yourself with them using some of our features but not others. Sharing is two-way, so you and the other user will both be able to see the same information in each other's accounts. When inviting someone to share, you can choose between two levels as described below:

Basic Sharing:

• Compare your genetic similarities in Genetic Comparisons under Genome Labs.


• See each other's haplogroups in Maternal & Paternal Ancestry.


• Trace your genes with family members in Family Inheritance under Ancestry.


• Compare your similarities to the populations in Global Similarity under Ancestry.


• See each other's patterns of chromosome origins in Ancestry Painting.

Extended Sharing:

• Everything in the Basic Sharing level, plus...


• Compare your data in most Health and Traits topics

You will not, in either level, be able to:

• Search the other person's raw data.


• Download the other person's raw data.


• Share your data or see the other person's data in opt-in Health and Traits topics such as Parkinson's Disease.

How does genome sharing work?

If you've been genotyped through our service, you can share your genome with other 23andMe users and compare yourself with them using our various features.

To share with someone, simply ask them for their 23andMe username. If they have chosen to make themselves searchable on 23andMe, you can also search for them by name or e-mail address. Then invite them using the "Share Your Genome" button on the Genome Sharing page, and they will get an e-mail prompting them to log in to their account to accept the invitation. Either party can stop sharing at any time by clicking on the "Stop Sharing" link. If you do not wish to receive invitations from other users, set the Privacy Option on your Account Settings page.

You can share with other users at different levels, which are explained here.

As with any online account, please remember that the person with whom you are sharing may provide access to their account to other people. For example, if you share with a friend, their spouse may also have access to the account and would be able to see your genome.

Also note that 23andMe cannot verify that customer-chosen usernames represent actual identities. Before sharing, you may want to independently verify that you are sharing with the person you intended, for example by calling them on the phone.

Can I use the saliva collection kit for infants and toddlers?

The saliva kit 23andme provide for participation in their service is not optimized for children under three years of age. If you are purchasing a kit for an infant or toddler, it may be difficult to obtain the required amount of saliva.

Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) is U.S. federal legislation that protects Americans from discrimination (in health insurance and employment decisions) on the basis of genetic information. It was signed into law this year, May, 2008 by President Bush.

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