Comments on: Follow-Up to 23andMe’s Price Drop

By: James Dougherty

James Dougherty — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 01:25:34 +0000

They had another price drop. You can get $400 off the kit if you use the code Q4D7KF in the shopping cart.

By: how to get a coupon for 23andMe - Dogpile Web Search

how to get a coupon for 23andMe - Dogpile Web Search — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 04:54:46 +0000

[...] On How To Get Coupons Sponsored by: shopping.yahoo.com/ • Found on Ads by Google Follow-Up to 23andMeÂ’s Price Drop » The Genetic Genealogist Sep 10, 2008 … Interestingly enough 23andme has also offered early adopters of their product a [...]

By: Gene Genie #37: Human Genomes Are a Dime a Dozen » The Genetic Genealogist

Gene Genie #37: Human Genomes Are a Dime a Dozen » The Genetic Genealogist — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 16:45:13 +0000

[...] The Genetic Genealogist Adding DNA to the Genealogist’s Toolbox Skip to content HomeAboutAbout Genetic GenealogyArchivesFeatured ArticlesRoots Television – DNA Channel « Follow-Up to 23andMe’s Price Drop [...]

By: Blaine Bettinger

Blaine Bettinger — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 15:41:22 +0000

Mike – thank you for more clearly stating that point; I was operating under the assumption that eventually the sequencing will be incredibly cheap and easy (and therefore not profitable). Thus, at that point, you won’t be out the currently expensive sequencing costs. And you are absolutely right, many people won’t be interested in wading through the ‘free’ reports. However, if such a service is available, will it bring down prices all around?

By: Mike Spear

Mike Spear — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 15:19:07 +0000

Just a small caveat to the SNPedia reference as a free analysis. SNPedia doesn’t exactly offer a free analysis. You have to have the SNP data first from 23andme or deCode (so you’re out of pocket already). Then you use a nice piece of software called Promethease which will run an analysis of the raw data you’ve paid for against the SNPEdia data. I’ve posted my own SNP data and analysis on our blog at http://genomealberta.ca/blogs/main_08070801.aspx if you want to see what is produced and get the links to SNPedia and Promethease.

As for the death of DTC I’m not so sure. If the prices across the companies comes to a point where more people can afford it there will be a growing market I think. Like many technologies there will be a segment of the population in search of a turnkey product from the sequencing to the analysis. Not everyone is prepared to take the raw data, run it through a 3rd party such a SNPedia, then wade through it all.

Interestingly enough 23andme has also offered early adopters of their product a discount coupon for additional tests so you can get other members of your family tested for more like $200.00 which move it WAY down there. They will also be offering current customers an discount on ‘upgrading’ their initial analysis but they haven’t told us exactly what that means yet.

Mike

By: Blaine Bettinger

Blaine Bettinger — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 00:14:08 +0000

Robert – great points. I think the $999 price point was keeping many genealogists away from the product, but I’m curious as to how a lower price will change that. Or if it SHOULD change it; is this product relevant enough to genetic genealogists?

David – I agree that sequencing isn’t where the money will be in the future. I do wonder, however, if analysis is a poorly-performing business model as you suggest. I’ve often wondered if free analysis (such as SNPedia and PMC) will be able to replace paid analysis.

By: David Hamilton

David Hamilton — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 18:47:59 +0000

Blaine, thanks for the link. The main issue here is that falling prices for genotyping will make more open-source data-collection projects possible, which by definition that undermines the core commercial model of startups like 23andMe. In other words, unless someone figures out how to make substantial money simply by offering genotyping plus analysis tools — which I’d guess is a low-margin business at best — these companies are going to have to retool radically or throw in the towel.

By: Robert C. Kramp

Robert C. Kramp — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 14:42:43 +0000

Regarding "frugal genealogy buffs", in 2nd paragraph, I believe the main reason most genealogists have NOT taken the plunge into DNA testing and Human Genetics is, in fact, the price (minimum ~ $100) for the initial analysis. It's not like sampling a few genealogical computer software programs. Also, the lack of understanding of DNA Genealogy is directly proportional to the number of acronyms and jargon in this field. Keep it minimal. Robert C. Kramp's last blog post..Kiepenkerl- Keepers of news and history

By: Gene Sherpas: Personalized Medicine and You

Gene Sherpas: Personalized Medicine and You — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

Blaine jumps aboardand writes “But genetic genealogists (and undoubtedly many others) DO chose their testing provider based on the results they receive.” and that’s why 23andMe will succeed…. But you know you have won when the

By: ProteinÂ® OS

ProteinÂ® OS — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

23andMe Is DTC Genomics and Nobody Should Be Surprisedâ€ and â€œWhy the â€œDatabase Sale Storyâ€ is Silly.â€Â This in turn is mentioned by Steve the Gene Sherpa at â€œA lot to chew and then spit!â€œÂ See also my â€œFollow-Up to 23andMeâ€™s Price Drop.â€ The Marriage Gene? Mary Meets Dolly discusses â€œThe marriage geneâ€œ, in which an article in the Baltimore Sun writes that â€œmen who lack a particular variant of a gene that influences brain activity are more likely to be devoted, loving