Super excited! I got my very first DNA test from 23andMe. After years of wanting to do a DNA test and doing some research into the science behind DNA. (I even had breakfast one morning with Steve Morse during Jamboree 2011!).
So what made me go with 23andMe? I’ve been watching the company for a while and I’ve love the fact it also presents a health side to their results. But what really cinched the whole thing for me? The new beta features that will soon be released. Plus, everyone at the booth at Jamboree was super welcoming and willing to answer questions. And they had hilarious t-shirts… I like a company with great customer service and a sense of humor.
So I ordered a Personal Genome Service from 23andMe. The kit is $299. Surprisingly, I received my kit in the mail the next day. I was so excited to get the package that I practically attacked the poor delivery guy and then proceeded to rip open the box.
Before I could provide a saliva sample, I had to avoid eating and drinking for 30 minutes. Assembling the spit tube was easy but coming up with enough saliva was harder than I thought it would be – but I got it done.
Once the spitting was complete and everything was packed back up, I stuck it in my mailbox, impatiently waiting for the mailman to come pick it up.
In the meantime, I went to the 23andMe website to register my test. It was super easy to enter the barcode from the spit tube onto the website. The whole user interface for 23andMe is really intuitive and easy to follow. And there are tons of cool features to explore.
While a lot of the features are unavailable til my results come in (in about 2-3 weeks), I have taken advantage of the surveys that are offered. The surveys provide information that could lead to a better understanding of how genetics influences health. Thus far, I’ve taken 8 surveys (they are super addicting!).
So now… I wait for my results. These 2-3 weeks are going to feel like they are taking forever because I’m just so excited for these results. I keep reminding myself that patience is a virtue and that it takes time for all of this science stuff to happen – but I’m too excited to be patient! Wonder what my results will say?
Have you ever gotten a DNA test? Was it through 23andMe or another company? What new things did you learn?
[Disclosure: I received a complimentary 23andMe DNA test in exchange for a review of my experiences on my blog. My opinions, however, are truthful and not swayed at all by the fact that the test was complimentary.]