...as I was just emailing back and forth with a cousin who has recently undergone 23andMe testing and showed me a summary of the ancestry results.

What's your opinion of the other DNA testing you had? And would you recommend the same tests to others, especially those who have genealogical brick walls?

The 23andMe test is much more comprehensive. If you get tested, you and your cousin can compare ancestry and health results. You'll also learn what percentage of your DNA is Neanderthal. I'm not sure if that's relevant but it is interesting. The test confirmed for me that my father was, in all likelihood from an Irish family. He was adopted, so I wasn't sure. All things considered, I think it's worth the $99.

I've been trying to get my brother to take one of the "males only" tests, but it's like pulling teeth to get him to respond. I have had my maternal DNA tested & that came back a complete surprise to me: Haplogroup V.

I was intent on ordering a kit, now that won't be possible.
This is reported by AP in USA Today. (Sorry, I'm no good at posting links, but it should be easy to find online.

wth does the fda need to be involved in this??

http://money.cnn.com/2013/11/25/technology/fda-23andme/

The lapdogs at the FDA are stepping in to save people from stupidity. How thoughtful.

Bullshit.

What the hell kind of doctor would perform surgery or give chemotherapy to anyone without making a proper clinical diagnosis?

My instincts tell me some string-pulling is happening here. I wonder whose mega-corporate toes 23andMe stepped on.

I heard the news last night but was struck by how prominently the story was displayed.

[url]http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/news-summary-fda-warns-genetic-test-maker-23andme/2013/11/25/6e14f252-5602-11e3-bdbf-097ab2a3dc2b_story.html[/url]

On edit, a second link:

[url]http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-switch/wp/2013/11/25/fda-this-dna-testing-company-could-kill-you/?tid=pm_business_pop[/url]

Dear 23andMe Customers,

I wanted to reach out to you about the FDA letter that was sent to 23andMe last Friday.

It is absolutely critical that our consumers get high quality genetic data that they can trust. We have worked extensively with our lab partner to make sure that the results we return are accurate. We stand behind the data that we return to customers - but we recognize that the FDA needs to be convinced of the quality of our data as well.

23andMe has been working with the FDA to navigate the correct regulatory path for direct-to-consumer genetic tests. This is new territory, not just for 23andMe, but for the FDA as well. The FDA is an important partner for 23andMe and we will be working hard to move forward with them.

I apologize for the limited response to the questions many of you have raised regarding the letter and its implications for the service. We don't have the answers to all of those questions yet, but as we learn more we will update you.

I am committed to providing each of you with a trusted consumer product rooted in high quality data that adheres to the best scientific standards. All of us at 23andMe believe that genetic information can lead to healthier lives.

Thank you for your loyalty to 23andMe. Please refer to our 23andMe blog for updates on this process.

Anne Wojcicki
Co-founder and CEO, 23andMe

She's good.