To the Scientific Community:
With the advent of chip­based genome­wide association studies, the era of personalized genomics is
finally here. It is now possible for individuals to obtain their own genotypes with the same technologies
as those used in large association studies, then compare their genotypes to those discussed in the
scientific literature.
At 23andMe our mission is to help our customers through that process, providing them the information
they need to interpret their genetic data in the context of the latest scientific findings. Our service
combines genotyping with a set of tools and features that depict each customer's personal data within
the context of environmental and other factors that contribute to variation in human traits and conditions.
We invite you to review both the standards we use to determine whether a particular genetic association
is robust enough to include in our service and the statistical methods we use to illustrate for customers
how their particular genotypes relate to the incidence of a disease, condition, or trait. You can also see a
list of the associations we currently report in Health and Traits, along with excerpts from the scientific
content that will be provided to our customers.
Because new association studies are being published weekly, even daily, we expect to add many more
traits, diseases and conditions to Health and Traits in the coming months and years. As we do so, we
intend to strike a balance by reporting the latest scientific discoveries as they come, but linking them to
our customers' personal data only after they meet our standards of power and replication.
Just a few years ago, the technology to perform genome­wide association studies did not even exist.
Now we are at the forefront of a revolution in personalized genetics and medicine, thanks to a
community of geneticists and other scientists, technologists and innovators. We realize that only
through a community effort will this field continue to advance and drive change.
To that end, we hope you will contact us with your thoughts and suggestions about our genotyping
technology, statistical methods and association study review process. While we cannot promise to
publish every contribution on our website, we will do our best to make sure the conversation reflects a
variety of viewpoints and experiences. We believe our customers will benefit from this exchange.
Sincerely,