23andMe made some <a href="https://mediacenter.23andme.com/?p=1989" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">news today</a>, with the launch of a new experience for customers that includes the first and only direct-to-consumer <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-23064" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/23andMe_Box_121013_1-300x173.jpg" alt="23andMe_Box_121013_1" width="300" height="173" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/23andMe_Box_121013_1-300x173.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/23andMe_Box_121013_1-768x443.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/23andMe_Box_121013_1-1024x591.jpg 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/23andMe_Box_121013_1-880x508.jpg 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/23andMe_Box_121013_1-1180x681.jpg 1180w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />genetic service that meets U.S. FDA standards.
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We invested nearly two years of work conducting extensive user testing, working with regulators, scientists, physicians, and top product design experts.  Most importantly, we talked to 23andMe customers about how we could improve functionality, comprehension and create tools to improve your experience.


Take a look at our <a href="https://www.23andme.com">homepage</a> to get a sense of how 23andMe is redefining how genetic information is delivered to people.
We are working to transition our existing customers to the new experience as quickly as possible, but some of that transition is dependent on validation and local requirements.
New customers can expect to begin receiving results within six to eight weeks of returning their samples to our lab.
On the blog in the coming months, we&#8217;ll highlight some of what customers will see in the new product and explore some of the new offerings including new carrier status* reports, <a href="https://www.23andme.com/dna-health-ancestry">wellness reports</a>, information about traits and ancestry, as well as updated tools for exploring more aspects of their own genetic information.
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Existing customers will receive an email about the transition with links of where to go if they have questions. In the meantime, customers can go here for answers to some of the more frequently asked questions.


As 23andMe co-founder and CEO, Anne Wojcicki said today,  “This is an incredibly dynamic time in genetics and we’re excited to be at the leading edge of bringing genetics directly to individuals as they begin to learn about their 23 pairs of chromosomes.”


Stay tuned for more to come.
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*Our tests] can be used to determine carrier status in adults from saliva collected using an FDA-cleared collection device (Oragene DX model OGD.500.001), but cannot determine if you have two copies of the genetic variant. Each test is most relevant for people of certain ethnicities. The tests are not intended to diagnose a disease or tell you anything about your risk for developing a disease in the future. On their own, carrier status tests are not intended to tell you anything about the health of your fetus, or your newborn child’s risk of developing a particular disease later in life.

23andMe Blog

23andMe Blog Team

A New 23andMe Experience

Anne Wojcicki, 23andMe&#8217;s CEO and co-founder, spoke recently with Kai Ryssdal, the host and senior editor at 
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-22084" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Anne_Color_-Seated-250x300.jpg" alt="Anne_Color_ Seated" width="250" height="300" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Anne_Color_-Seated-250x300.jpg 250w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Anne_Color_-Seated-768x923.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Anne_Color_-Seated-852x1024.jpg 852w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Anne_Color_-Seated-732x880.jpg 732w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Anne_Color_-Seated-982x1180.jpg 982w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 250px) 100vw, 250px" />Marketplace, about the company, genetics, and the future of health care.


It&#8217;s a good overview of some of what we&#8217;ve been doing lately here at 23andMe.
Anne takes time to explain some of 23andMe&#8217;s core mission about helping people access and benefit from their genetic information, as well as explain how this information will become increasingly important in the future.


Genetic information is already changing health care, but it is also changing drug development and discovery. 23andMe recently announced the creation of its new therapeautics group, lead by renowned scientist Richard Scheller, Ph.D. Anne talked a little bit about this effort and how it aligns with 23andMe&#8217;s overall mission.


It&#8217;s worth taking a few minutes to listen to the piece.

The Future of Health Care

23andMe genotyped our one-millionth customer last week.
Today, we celebrate one million customers: #PowerOf1Million.<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-22571" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/06112015_OP_headline_v3-300x130.jpg" alt="06112015_OP_headline_v3" width="300" height="130" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/06112015_OP_headline_v3-300x130.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/06112015_OP_headline_v3-768x334.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/06112015_OP_headline_v3-880x383.jpg 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/06112015_OP_headline_v3.jpg 920w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />
However, one million is more than a number. It’s a turning point.
There are now one million people driving change. People are taking control of their data, taking ownership of personal information about themselves, and believing that knowing more about who they are can benefit society, not just the individual. 

Fifty years ago, doctors <a href="http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=330783" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">were reluctant to tell patients</a> if they had cancer. The world is different today.<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright wp-image-22578 size-large" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/1M_infographic_final_press-300x1024.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="1024" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/1M_infographic_final_press-300x1024.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/1M_infographic_final_press-258x880.jpg 258w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/1M_infographic_final_press-88x300.jpg 88w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/1M_infographic_final_press-768x2623.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/1M_infographic_final_press-scaled.jpg 749w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />
One million customers ago, <a href="http://blogs.plos.org/dnascience/2012/11/08/direct-to-consumer-genetic-testing-a-new-view/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">attendees were shocked</a> at the annual American Society of Human Genetics conference when direct-to-consumer genetic testing services were announced. Now, they are asking to expand these services to more diverse communities.
One million customers ago, the world didn’t know how consumers would react to direct-to-consumer testing, but now studies show <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3777821/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">consumers don’t overreact</a> to their results.
One million customers ago, the Genetic Information Non-Discrimination Act in the United States didn’t exist and other personal data protection laws were not in place as many are now around the globe.
One million customers ago, Americans didn’t have direct access to health laboratory results. The United States recently mandated <a href="http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2014pres/02/20140203a.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">individuals can get laboratory test results directly from the laboratory upon request.</a>
The power of one million is a new milestone for us. However, the power of one is just as important. One person’s contribution to research at 23andMe informs over 230 genetic studies.
When people power research, the opportunity to change and radically accelerate the pace of new breakthroughs in the diagnosis and treatment of disease starts to become reality.
That’s the power of one million.

Power of One Million

Here’s to those who dare.
Viewers of Sunday night’s <a href="http://oscar.go.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Oscars</a> got a chance to see a new ad campaign by Cadillac that honors those who “Dare Greatly” and our very own CEO was featured in the new campaign.

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Cadillac &#8211; Dare Greatly &#8211; How Dare&#8230; from David Freeman on Vimeo.

Anne Wojcicki, 23andMe’s co-founder and CEO, is one of the four visionaries honored by Cadillac. Others included daring fashion designer <a href="http://www.interviewmagazine.com/fashion/jason-wu/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Jason Wu</a>, African internet entrepreneur <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/mfonobongnsehe/2011/08/03/africas-most-successful-women-njeri-rionge/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Njeri Reonge</a>, film director and Oscar nominee <a href="https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2014/06/30/moment-to-moment" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Richard Linklater</a>, and the eccentric Apple Computer co-founder <a href="http://www.biography.com/people/steve-wozniak-9537334" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Steve Wozniack</a>.

At 23andMe, we know Anne wakes up everyday ready to blaze a trail by helping to give people access to their DNA, but it was an honor to see her in such great company.

Cadillac’s <a href="http://www.freep.com/story/money/cars/general-motors/2015/02/18/cadillac-oscars-commercial/23571527/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">“Dare Greatly”</a> began earlier this month with another television commercial that quotes from a famous speech given by Teddy Roosevelt’s in Paris in 1910 that honored “doers of deeds.”

Daring DNA

By Anne Wojcicki
Today, 23andMe was granted authorization by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market the Bloom syndrome carrier status report. This is an important first step in fulfilling our commitment to return genetic health reports to consumers in the US.<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-6586" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/23andMe_Logo_blog-300x300.jpg" alt="23andMe_Logo_blog" width="300" height="300" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/23andMe_Logo_blog-300x300.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/23andMe_Logo_blog-150x150.jpg 150w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/23andMe_Logo_blog-271x271.jpg 271w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/23andMe_Logo_blog.jpg 350w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />
This is also the first-time the FDA has granted authorization to market a direct-to-consumer genetic test, and it gives 23andMe a regulatory framework for future submissions. While this authorization is for a single carrier status test only, we are committed to providing US customers with health information once more tests have been through this process and we have a more comprehensive product offering.
The FDA has been incredibly responsive throughout our review and the agency has demonstrated its support for direct to consumer genetic testing. We will continue to work with the FDA to ensure that all future health submissions meet the agency&#8217;s standards.
It’s been a challenging and exciting time for consumer genetics. Our customers support and the stories they shared along the way make my job worthwhile.  I will continue to provide our customers with updates on our blog and by email. We’ve also posted more information about the authorization <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/news/what-the-fda-decision-means-for-23andme-customers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>.
I want to thank our customers for their ongoing support during this process.
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Anne Wojcicki

A Note to Our Customers Regarding the FDA

By Anne Wojcicki


I’m excited about 2015! We are starting the New Year with new customers around the world, new research collaborations and many employees working diligently on our FDA submission.<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-22084" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Anne_Color_-Seated-250x300.jpg" alt="Anne_Color_ Seated" width="250" height="300" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Anne_Color_-Seated-250x300.jpg 250w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Anne_Color_-Seated-768x923.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Anne_Color_-Seated-852x1024.jpg 852w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Anne_Color_-Seated-732x880.jpg 732w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Anne_Color_-Seated-982x1180.jpg 982w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 250px) 100vw, 250px" />


As CEOs do, I look into the future to make sure we are working towards our mission: to help people access, understand and benefit from the human genome. I also want to make sure we remain committed to our vision of accelerating the pace of significant genetic discoveries. As we head into 2015, I will continue to be focused on 23andMe initiatives that fulfill our mission and vision.
Our focus on research will grow as we partner with academics and scientists, non-profit organizations and for-profit companies globally, to use genetic data for good. Our research team will collaborate with new partners to find better drug therapies, opportunities for disease prevention, disease treatments and ultimately, genetic paths to cures. This is an important part of why I started the company – to make sure we empower ourselves and empower others. Both are equally important.
 


I’m excited about the possibility of new discoveries coming out of our collective data for research, and yet I also believe it’s important you are in control of your data. If you do not want to participate in research, you can always opt-out. You own your data.
It’s been an exciting eight years since we launched 23andMe. I have heard from thousands of you about how 23andMe has impacted your life. As we approach our millionth customer, we are planning a celebration that demonstrates the power and potential of individuals owning   their DNA.
Do you have a story to share? We would love to hear from you and make you part of our celebration. Send your story to <a href="https://23me.wufoo.com/forms/z1ngt56e18lv5ed/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">tellannemystory@23andme.com.</a>
 
I wish you the best for 2015.

A Note To Our Customers About The New Year

Over the last month, Anne Wojcicki, 23andMe’s CEO and co-founder, has been plenty busy spreading the word about the power of genetics to transform health care and empower people.
Anne has spoken at events as varied as <a href="https://www.facebook.com/FortuneMPW" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Fortune Magazine’s Most Powerful Women</a> conference to a discussion at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History on the future of genomic medicine and then jetting over to London to talk about innovation at the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/WiredUK" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Wired UK conference</a>.
While the topics have varied Anne has returned to some of the same themes again and again: people have a right to access their genetic information; giving people that information can help them learn more about themselves and it can help them make better choices. Finally, allowing engage consumers to participate in research has the potential to spur discoveries that could not happen any other way.
Here’s her talk in London: 
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Empower The People

There are grand visions about what genetic discoveries will be made in the distant future, but what about in the next five years.
That was the question Dr. Eric Green, the director of the National Genome Research Institute, asked of 23andMe&#8217;s CEO and co-founder Anne Wojcicki. Anne recently participated in a discussions with Green and Yale University genetics professor, Dr. Richard Lifton, as part of a symposium at the Smithsonian&#8217;s National Museum of Natural History. The talk revolved around the future of genomics, medicine and the impact genetic research will have globally on health care.
For Anne, what is happening right now is most interesting.
&#8220;It&#8217;s the most exciting time in science,&#8221; she said.
Check out their conversation. 
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The Most Exciting Time in Science

23andMe cofounder and CEO Anne Wojcicki took a few moments to talk to interviewer Hayley Goldbach at Stanford’s recent <a href="http://bigdata.stanford.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Big Data in Biomedicine</a> conference.
The annual conference, which seems to get a little bigger each year, focuses on a sweet spot for 23andMe, the promise that the vast ocean of digital information can help drive breakthroughs in drug development and the personalization of medicine.
Here’s Anne’s interview. 
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Anne Wojcicki — Page 3