There’s no place like healthy for the holidays

23andMe has rigorous standards that ensure high-quality results. Our team of scientists and medical experts use a robust process to develop genetic reports for our customers. Here are specific examples:

• With one of the largest reference datasets in the world, 23andMe provides customers with one of the most detailed and accurate ancestry breakdowns on the market. Our algorithms make ancestry estimates based on probabilities and they’re generally very accurate, but your results are not set in stone. We are always trying to improve and refine these estimates.
• Our Genetic Health Risk*Learn about Considerations and Limitations for Health Predispositions Reports, Carrier Status Reports and Genetic Health Risks, Carrier Status*Learn about Considerations and Limitations for Health Predispositions Reports, Carrier Status Reports and Genetic Health Risks, reports meet FDA requirements. This means that each variant in those reports demonstrated >greater than99% accuracy and reproducibility when tested under different laboratory conditions. This article on the accuracy of 23andMe reports provides additional information.

After you provide a saliva sample, 23andMe uses genotyping to analyze your DNA. This means we look at specific locations in your genome that are known to differ between people. We then turn those results into personalized genetic reports on everything from ancestry composition to traits to genetic health risks. Note that genotyping is different from DNA sequencing, which looks at every letter in a particular stretch of DNA.

Most adults who are able to provide saliva samples can use the 23andMe kit. However there are some considerations that can complicate the DNA accuracy. Check out our Terms of Service for more info on those cases.

To begin, visit www.23andme.com/start. Once you have successfully registered your DNA testing kit, provided a saliva sample and put the kit in the mail, you can use the return tracking link available on your profile homepage to track your kit's progress to the lab. Once your sample reaches the lab, it is typically processed within a few weeks, with results then delivered to your secure online account.

We encourage customers to provide their sample before the "Collect saliva by" date on the side of the collection tube. If your sample collection kit is lost or damaged, or if it has expired, please contact customer care to assist you with getting a replacement kit.

There are many benefits of DNA testing, including finding relatives, learning whether you have genetic variants you could pass onto your children, and receiving personalized insights into your health and ancestry. 23andMe Health + Ancestry Service offers 150+ DNA reports that do just that. In addition to taking greater control of your own health and digging deeper into your ancestry, you can also opt in to participate in research that could help fuel scientific discoveries that benefit the larger community.

We're also committed to providing you with a safe place where you can learn about your DNA knowing your privacy is protected. 23andMe has sold 12+ million kits, and with each and every one of those, privacy has been our number one priority. You may learn more about our commitment to privacy hereon our privacy page.