23andMe Introduces Ancestry Standalone Product For $99

Click here to order. 

23andMe has just released a new option for customers in the U.S., offering the ancestry features of the test for only $99. This means that the health results will not be included with this product, but the portions of the test that are important to most in the genetic genealogy community will be - Ancestry Composition admixture percentages, DNA Relatives matching and the haplogroup assignments, plus the raw data. Customers will have an opportunity to upgrade to include the health portion later for $125, if desired. The same chip is used and all new testers will be compared against the existing database, so this is not a separate product. 

If you have been waiting to test at 23andMe, now is the time. Order here. 

New Commercial:

This is the first commercial that specifically talks about relative matching instead of just ancestral origins. I think that is really exciting!

Press Release:

23andMe Offers $99 Genetic Ancestry Service

Mountain View, Calif. – September 21, 2016 – 23andMe, the leading personal genetics company, is now offering its genetic ancestry service as a standalone product for $99. The service features 23andMe’s pioneering Ancestry Composition analysis, enabling customers to trace their lineage to 31 populations worldwide through their DNA. The service also includes DNA Relatives, an optional tool matching willing customers with close or distant relatives based on shared DNA. Customers purchasing the new ancestry service have the option to upgrade to 23andMe’s flagship health and ancestry product which includes an additional 60+ genetic reports on carrier status, wellness and physical traits.

“Our ancestry service is often the source of some of the most life-changing discoveries for our customers,” said Anne Wojcicki, CEO and co-founder of 23andMe. “Through the many stories our customers share with us, we see the incredible power of our science to connect people and expand their sense of self — redefining how they see their ancestry.”

The $99 genetic ancestry service analyzes genetic variants across all chromosomes to provide a breakdown of global ancestry by percentages. The average customer can trace their DNA to at least 5 different populations from around the world. Customers will also have their 23 pairs of chromosomes “painted” — a color-coded digital sketch unraveling your DNA, detailing the amount, or length, of specific ancestry on each chromosome.

Additionally, customers will have access to 23andMe’s DNA Relatives tool, allowing them to share and compare their DNA to that of other 23andMe customers, if they opt-in to do so. Ninety-five percent of 23andMe customers participating in DNA Relatives connect with a third degree cousin or closer relative. And for customers interested in ancient ancestors, our Neanderthal report tells people how much Neanderthal DNA they have.

“The story of human history is captured in our DNA,” said Joanna Mountain, Ph.D., 23andMe senior director of research.  “Our ancestry service unlocks that information, and helps you better understand who you are and where you came from. It also allows you to connect with relatives you may not have known, no matter where they are.”

Customers who purchase the ancestry product have the option to upgrade to 23andMe’s full health and ancestry service for an additional $125.

The company is also launching a new national television ad showcasing the ancestry experience. The $99 ancestry service is only available at www.23andMe.com.

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About 23andMe

23andMe, Inc. is the leading personal genetics company. Founded in 2006, the mission of the company is to help people access, understand and benefit from the human genome. 23andMe has more than one million customers worldwide, with over 80 percent consented to participate in research. 23andMe, Inc. is located in Mountain View, CA. More information is available at www.23andMe.com.

Media Contact(s)

media@23andme.com

Flash Sale on 23andMe kits

It was just posted on the 23andMe forum that the promotions site Gilt City (think GroupOn) is offering a discount on 23andMe kits. You can purchase one kit for $225 (savings of $74) or three kits for $600 (savings of $99 each). The site says that the offer is good until Thursday, September 13th, but they may sell out before then. You have until December 6, 2012 to redeem it. (Makes a great holiday gift!)

Find the sale here.

**Great news - This sale has been extended through Oct 1st.

Getting Started in DNA Testing for Genealogy - My Series on Geni.com

For the last month, I have been writing a weekly series on getting started in DNA testing for genealogy for Geni. Just in case you missed it, the articles cover the three types of tests and their applications. The series will be too basic for some of you, but for those of you just starting out, it may be exactly what you need.

Part One, Intro and Y-DNA
Interest in DNA testing for genealogy has reached an all-time high thanks to its increasing sophistication and the resulting visibility in the media. We hear about what we can learn from DNA testing from popular genealogy television programs, news stories and in advertising.  As a result, many family history enthusiasts have expressed their desire to venture into the fascinating world of genetic genealogy, but don’t know where to start.  If you are one of these people, then I am writing this for you. In a series of four posts over the next month, I will explain the three different types of DNA testing currently used by genealogists to discover more about their family trees. I will endeavor to help you determine which test or combination of tests would be best suited to your interests.
Read the rest of the article here.

Part Two, mtDNA
Last week we discussed the Y-DNA test that only traces your direct paternal line back in time, but there’s good news for you women who felt left out. Did you know that there is also a DNA test that traces your direct maternal line back in time?  It is called a mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) test.
Read the rest of the article here.

Part Three, autosomal DNA (23andMe, Family Finder, AncestryDNA)
This week we are finally going to discuss my favorite type of genetic testing for genealogy – autosomal DNA. For the past two weeks we have covered DNA tests that are solely informative of one ancestral line – direct paternal (Y-DNA) and direct maternal (mtDNA). The great news about autosomal DNA (atDNA) testing is that there is potential to find valuable and meaningful information about any of your ancestral lines.  
Read the rest of the article here.

Part Four, ancestral origin tests and summary
We have covered the three types of DNA tests for genealogy over the last few weeks, but there is one more aspect of genetic genealogy that should not be overlooked. In fact, one of the questions that I am asked most frequently is: How can I get a percentage breakdown of my ethnicity? With popular television programs recently highlighting this compelling area of genetic genealogy, it is no surprise that interest in DNA testing has grown.
Read the rest of the article here.

*Also, don't forget about the $50 off 23andMe tests ending tomorrow at Midnight ! Order here using discount code VMQ6KG.

23andMe Offering $50 Off Their Personal Genome Service

Late last night 23andMe sent out an email offer for $50 off of their test (regularly $299) with an individualized discount code. It was sent to both genotyped customers and those with demo accounts. It is only good through Sunday night, so check your inbox. Below is the text of the message. Feel free to use my code VMQ6KG if you didn't receive one since I consider all of you my friends. Enjoy!

Visiting family this summer? Are they part of 23andMe? Take advantage of our summer discount: $50 OFF each kit you purchase. This offer expires in 3 days (11:59PM PDT, Sunday August 12, 2012).

To use this code, visit our online store and add an order to your cart. Click "I have a discount code" and enter the code below

$50 off

Discount code: VMQ6KG

Summer is a time of barbeques, relaxation... and intriguing questions:
Should you eat your hamburger with or without the bun? See your results for celiac disease.	Before hitting the beach, should you return to get the sunglasses you left in your car? See your results for age-related macular degeneration.

To help answer these questions and hundreds more, take a look at all of your results. 
Use your discount to share the 23andMe summer love with family and friends.

Be passionately curious,
The 23andMe Team


And the ancestry version:
You are receiving this message because you have a 23andMe account associated with this email address. Thank you for your interest in 23andMe! To show our appreciation, we would like to offer you a code for $50 off each kit you purchase. This offer expires in 3 days (11:59PM PDT, Sunday August 12, 2012).

To use this code, visit our online store and add an order to your cart. Click "I have a discount code" and enter the code below.

$50 off
Discount code: YHPRD7

There has never been a better time to join 23andMe. In addition to over 200 health and traits reports and access to the largest genealogical DNA database in the world, we have added many exciting new features in 2012:

	No more subscriptions! One upfront price for unlimited access.
	The new My Ancestry dashboard - an exciting introduction to your ancestry results.
	DNA Melody, one of our newest labs, crafts a unique melody based on your genotype.

Have fun exploring your DNA!

The 23andMe Team

FTDNA's Sizzling Summer Sale through July 15th

Last summer, FTDNA offered special pricing to attract new customers and members for our projects. It was the most successful offering of its type in the company’s history. We all want the database to keep growing, so FTDNA is offering a summer special again this year. This sale includes both new kits and upgrades, so if you have been waiting to test or to expand on what you already have, now is the time! Orders must be in and paid for by 11:59PM on Sunday July 15th. You can order here.

NEW KITS	Current Group Price	SALE PRICE
Y-DNA 12	$99	$59
Y-DNA 37	$149	$129
Y-DNA 67	$239	$199
Family Finder	$289	$199
mtFullSequence (FMS)	$299	$219
FF+ Y-DNA 37	$438	$328
FF + mtDNAPlus	$438	$328
Comprehensive (FF + FMS + Y-DNA 67)	$797	$617
SuperDNA	$518	$428
UPGRADES
12 to 37	$109	$70
25 to 37	$59	$35
25 to 67	$159	$114
37 to 67	$109	$79
37 to 111	$220	$188
67 to 111	$129	$109
mtHVR1 to Mega	$269	$209
mtHVR2 to Mega	$239	$199

(Disclaimer - I have an affiliate relationship with FTDNA, however I receive no commissions on sale orders. I announce all sales on my blog as a courtesy to my readers and to encourage testing.)

23andMe Cyber Monday Discount Today

23andMe has announced their Cyber Monday sale. It isn't as much of a discount as their usual holiday sale and apparently ends at noon PST today [Update- 23andMe says that was a typo and the sale will go through Midnight]:

"Happy Cyber Monday From 23andMe! Today only $25 Off Our Personal Genome Service®. Offer ends 12pm PST Click Here." [Update- if the link doesn't work for you try the code "Cyber2011".]

That's $74 + $9/per month - a big improvement from the price not so long ago, but not the highly anticipated sale that many were expecting.

GearDiary hints that there may be more sales on the horizon, although there is no way to know if they will be any better than this one:
"And for the 2011 holiday season, 23andMe will offer special discounts beginning on Cyber Monday, November 28, 2011, with $25 off via Facebook and Twitter only. Additional holiday specials will be announced on Facebook and Twitter throughout the month of December."

 I'll probably sit this one out. How about you?

23andMe Sale and Updates

The 23andMe sale inadvertently went live early this morning (from about 2:00am - 8:00am PST) and many were able to order what was previously called the Complete Edition, now their only offering, for $99 plus a one year subscription to the Personal Genome Service ($159 total). This was not intentional since the sale was not meant to start until 10am PST.

From 23andMe:
"...There will be an update posted in the community after 10 am. I'm pretty sure...nobody will be disappointed. Getting our service into the hands of as many people as possible is our #1 goal...I hope everyone realizes that whatever plans we had went somewhat awry, and for that we are deeply apologetic. However, it is too late to rearrange the moving pieces, so nothing new will happen until 10am...Trust me, we know this is not an ideal situation - we would never have chosen to do it this way."

Judging from this, it appears that the sale will reappear at 10am, as originally planned. [Updated- The sale is now live and, reportedly, should last through Friday. All codes that have been released in the last 24 hours are valid, including CUBPNY.]

23andMe officially announced the availability of their new chip with this press release today, as well as updating their FAQs to address some of the questions that have arisen. In particular, according to this new FAQ, it should be noted that new customers will no longer receive updates, including new Relative Finder matches, if they cancel their PGS subscription, however they will still have access to any existing reports, matches, features and their raw data. Existing customers will continue to get updates for all reports based on the current chip. Any new reports that have data on the old chip will be available to them, without subscription or upgrade. To answer a common concern, 23andMe has confirmed with me that non-upgraded kits will still receive new Relative Finder matches from among the new orders. They said that the goal is for the existing kits to not be impacted by the new changes. Therefore, existing customers who do not upgrade will not be affected at this time, but, obviously, will not receive the benefits of the new technology. Current customers are being encouraged not to automatically upgrade, but rather to wait until they "see the value". We are assured that the option will continue to be available.

It is also my understanding that if you have kits that you bought before Monday, but haven't yet sent them in, they will be processed on the new v3 chip and do NOT require a subscription! (That is the best deal of all!)

With the above in mind, I plan to order a whole new kit instead of upgrading. Since the upgrade costs $89 plus a monthly subscription of $5, then it is only $10 more for a whole new kit. That way I can keep my existing kit without the subscription and continue to get new Relative Finder matches and continued updates, even if I decide to cancel the subscription for the new kit after 12 months. I will report the differences here when I get my results. [Update- 23andMe is discouraging this approach because it will fragment the information (surveys, etc)  and may confuse users (multiple RF profiles).]

Sale and New Personal Genome Service Subscription at 23andMe

Today 23andMe has announced their new Personal Genome Service in conjunction with the sale price of $229 for either the Health or Ancestry Editions and $299 for the Complete Edition. In order to qualify for the sale price, the Health and Complete Editions require a minimum 3-month subscription commitment to this new service at $5/per month. Apparently, the Ancestry Edition does not. (This may lead to speculation that the new service has something to do with the impending FDA regulations.) Since this sale is a test it could end at any time.
A rep at 23andMe told me that the goal is "to get this (their product) into as many people's hands as possible, so we'll periodically do some testing of lower price points." Beyond that, the representative declined to elaborate at this time.