Leading DNA testing firm Ancestry.com now is offering health tests to increase its competition with 23andMe by providing data beyond family lineage.
Ancestry announced Tuesday new genotype and next-generation genetic sequencing services that consumers can use to help detect potential health risks.
Consumers can learn about their risks for health conditions including heart disease, hereditary cancers, blood-related disorders and risks for carrier status of health conditions such as sickle-cell anemia and cystic fibrosis.
“Your genes don’t need to be your destiny. Understanding your familial and inherited health risks can help you take action with your doctor to improve your chances of better health outcomes,” Ancestry CEO Margo Georgiadis said Tuesday.
Unlike 23andMe, Ancestry does not allow consumers to order health tests directly. They can access health tests ordered from physicians at PWNHealth, an independent network of physicians and genetic counselors, in addition to genetic counseling resources.
The company is offering two new products — AncestryHealth Core and AncestryHealth Plus.
AncestryHealth Core covers common health conditions and includes family health history and lab reports. The physician-ordered lab test uses genotyping array technology to detect genetic differences and offers personalized reports for certain conditions.
AncestryHealth Plus uses next-generation sequencing technology to deliver comprehensive screening data of DNA differences for health conditions.
Rival company 23andMe offers more than 90 reports on genetic health risks, carrier status and other wellness-related traits. The company also gives consumers the option to explore results with varying confidence levels, ranging from 50% to more than 90%.
23andMe offers reports on health conditions such as Type 2 diabetes, celiac disease, late-onset Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.
• Shen Wu Tan can be reached at stan@washingtontimes.com.
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