Personal genetics company 23andMe is betting that its at-home DNA testing kit can help users identify the likelihood of developing diabetes.
23andMe is upgrading its at-home DNA testing kit to include a first-of-its-kind genetic report on diabetes, which will assess a users' risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, one of the most common, yet preventable health conditions in the U.S.
The report, which will be available to consumers online March 11, aims to identify people who may not know they have a genetic predisposition for diabetes. When a user has a predisposition, the company will send back the results with tools and lifestyle advice that may combat or delay the onset of the disease.
23andMe's new Type 2 Diabetes report was developed using research data from more than 2.5 million 23andMe customers who consented to the research. Previous reports from 23andMe used outside, publicly available data sets.
"Diabetes is a significant health issue in the U.S. that is expected to impact nearly half of the population. When customers learn about their genetic likelihood of developing Type 2 diabetes, we believe there is an opportunity to motivate them to change their lifestyle and ultimately to help them prevent the disease," said Anne Wojcicki, CEO and co-founder of 23andMe.