Back in 2015, I decided to send my spit to 23andMe, the personal genetics company that sells direct-to-consumer tests.
The test gave me information on everything from how much DNA I share with our Neanderthal ancestors, to how much caffeine I likely consume, to whether or not I might have a unibrow. It also let me know if I'm carrying certain genetic variations related to diseases that could be passed on to kids.
Then in April 2017, the FDA told 23andMe it could start providing genetic health risk reports, which reveal whether you have an increased risk of developing certain diseases, including Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease.
A year later, the FDA gave 23andMe clearance to tell consumers about their risk of cancer — specifically about three BRCA1/BRCA2 gene mutations that are associated with an increased risk in breast and ovarian cancer. The test has genetic counselors and scientists concerned, because there are thousands of mutations associated with the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes and this test only screens for three of them most commonly found in Ashkenazi (Eastern European) Jewish descent.
The version of the test that includes the health reports costs $199, while the ancestry test alone is $99. Here's what it was like:
I first received my 23andMe test in 2015. Because I had already submitted my sample, I didn't have to repeat the process to get my genetic health risks reports in 2017 or my BRCA results in 2018.
That meant I didn't have to re-submit a sample of my saliva, which was convenient. Spitting into the tube had taken me about 5 minutes the first time around.
Before I shipped my spit, I registered online. I also got to decide if I wanted to have my DNA used to research treatments for diseases. In the spirit of science, I decided to consent and sign the form.
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