SNP Archives - Omics Help Desk

I did my 23andMe test in July 2016, and at the time, I downloaded and did my own analysis of the SNP raw data using different methods. Yesterday, I decided to check if the raw data had changed since that time. It did. I also looked at what’s new with the reports on the web site and found some had changed too.

For example, new in the 2019 report is that “my genetic muscle composition is common in elite power athletes”. That sounds great but I wish I had known it as a child, then I would have perhaps focused on “professional sports”! Last time I checked the report they described the gene differently, as a gene that reveals whether I am a long-distance runner or a sprinter. It shows that although my gene obviously stayed the same, more information about the gene itself was revealed through new scientific studies. I think “elite power athlete” is more motivating!

23ANDME-fat

Those of us who are curious about the hidden secrets encoded in our genes are excited about the new biomedical technologies that give us access to this genetic information. Our genes can tell a story about who we are. Only a “partial” story because we know that our environment and life style will add to the story. A well-established model of health is represented by this equation: Genome*Exposome=Phenome. The Exposome, is the collection of things we are exposed to, our life style and it has great influence on how we feel overall. Science tells us that we can prevent health problems if we are better informed about our “genetic” health risks, Genome and Genotype information, and adapt our life style to fit our genes. The Phenome and phenotypes are the observed outcomes of the interaction between Genome and Exposome, such as an observed disease, a symptom, a physical change such as weight loss or accelerated heart rate, or a mental state like depression or joy. Doctors, therapists and trainers have been measuring our different phenotypes, and have been monitoring our exposome whenever things go wrong, but they and we have little knowledge about our genetic predisposition for certain phenotypes.

And so, we want to know. At $199, or somewhat less with a discount coupon, the price tag for 23andMe genetic testing is only accessible to few. There are other options that are similarly expensive, among them deCODEme and FamilyTreeDNA offer similar genetic testing services. Those prices are expected to drop as more genetic testing services compete against each other and as sequencing technologies become cheaper. When that happens, more people will benefit from understanding their genes and health risks.

Omics Help Desk

SNP Archives - Omics Help Desk

Tag: SNP

23andMe Genetic Data – From 2016 to Now

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