23andMe Lowers Prices Dramatically

23andMe, Inc., a leading genetic testing company, announced today a substantial reduction in price for its Personal Genome Service - lowering the cost to users from $999 to $399! The reasons behind the dramatic price reduction include improved technology from its testing company Illumina, Inc., and a desire to attract more customers and increase the size of their database, including their 23andWe research service. In addition, 23andMe also announced a partnership with Ancestry.com, with plans to provide the improved genetic information available from 23andMe to Ancestry.com’s DNA customers.

For those of you not familiar with the 23andMe service, their Personal Genome Service basically offers you a tour through your DNA, including information on your deep ancestry - both paternal and maternal lineages - showing areas in the world where your distant ancestors originated. There's also a Gene Journal, where you can view a variety of your different traits, conditions and dispositions (over 80 to date!), from your ability to taste certain flavors, to your risk for common diseases such as diabetes.

This type of information is not for everyone, but for those who thrive on knowledge it's an interesting journey. I think I might just have to try it out for myself.