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23andMe raises $50M, cuts price to $99, sets goal of 1M genotyped customers

blog.23andme.com

11–20 of 245 posts

Re: 23andMe raises $50M, cuts price to $99, sets goal of 1M genotyped customers

#11

I paid in at their first $99 discounted rate (2010) and was very disappointed when they tried to demand a non-discounted new sample for newer tests about a year later. If I had paid the full $500 I would have been downright peeved. Still, I'm glad I did it, 23andMe is a very enlightening experience. I even found some distant relatives I never knew about.

Just think how much worse Craig Venter must feel.

Re: 23andMe raises $50M, cuts price to $99, sets goal of 1M genotyped customers

#13
post #8
post #6

If their results are accurate to a degree, why are their tests not being subsidized by insurance companies. How much would an insurance co save by alerting a patient to her chances of getting diabetes, not to mention the money the patient would itself save.

Who on earth would share their genetic profile with their insurance company? That's just asking for trouble.

Why not ? laws could be passed to forbid the use of genetic profiles in establishing premium rates the same way gender or ethnicity are not allowed for use when calculating credit scores. We're talking about a win-win-win (consumer, insurance company, state/ fed) situation for everybody if only we could learn to trust a lil bit. Why does every relationship between a consumer & a service provider has to be rooted in mistrust ? EDIT : Why is this being down-voted ?

Re: 23andMe raises $50M, cuts price to $99, sets goal of 1M genotyped customers

#14
post #8
post #6

If their results are accurate to a degree, why are their tests not being subsidized by insurance companies. How much would an insurance co save by alerting a patient to her chances of getting diabetes, not to mention the money the patient would itself save.

Who on earth would share their genetic profile with their insurance company? That's just asking for trouble.

This might be the way we're going even if people don't want to share their genetic profile with their insurance company.. what if 23AndMe and UHC (insurance co.) get into a deal where they provide this service for free? And what if UHC raises premiums on everyone that does not take this test? What if employers require their employees to do this much like drug / background checks?

Re: 23andMe raises $50M, cuts price to $99, sets goal of 1M genotyped customers

#15
post #6

If their results are accurate to a degree, why are their tests not being subsidized by insurance companies. How much would an insurance co save by alerting a patient to her chances of getting diabetes, not to mention the money the patient would itself save.

There are really 3 sets of results they provide.

1. Genetic disorder. Tay–Sachs, etc. This stuff is priceless, because in the past, you had to pay thousands of dollars to get these same tests tone. These are accurate and very worthwhile ... but the majority of people will come back with all negative results, which is actually a good thing.

2. Your "increased risk" to certain diseases, like heart disease, etc. IMHO, these aren't worth much. A substantial portion of the risk for these types of diseases is related to lifestyle, so take it with a grain of salt.

3. Fun info, like telling you your eye color, where your ancestors came from, etc.

> why are their tests not being subsidized by insurance companies.

Insurance companies really only want #1. And guess what? That's info that I really don't want them to have.

Re: 23andMe raises $50M, cuts price to $99, sets goal of 1M genotyped customers

#16
Is the most obvious question being adressed in any jurisdiction yet? - Do you legally have to disclose your results to any insurance company you already have an existing contract with or prior to any new insurance contract?

By chance, I just read a typical life insurance contract and it already stated that if you have undergone a genetic testing, you do have to disclose your results if you enter into a life insurance contract >300.000€. This was stipulated in the contract and not under general German contract law. If you do not disclose your results, the company can void the contract any time and/or terminate it any time in the future.

This is going to be THE most important issue with genetic testing - the implications for your insurance contracts. Obviously, your test results can have massively positive or negative results.

Re: 23andMe raises $50M, cuts price to $99, sets goal of 1M genotyped customers

#17
post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Who on earth would share their genetic profile with their insurance company? That's just asking for trouble.

The same people who would install driving monitoring devices to lower their auto insurance[1]. Not everyone cares about privacy. [1]: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/25/business/seeking-cheaper-i...

It is not just privacy...how about human rights?

"Sorry sir your infant child is not eligible for that heart operation due to the genetic marker we discovered in your profile."

Re: 23andMe raises $50M, cuts price to $99, sets goal of 1M genotyped customers

#19

I paid in at their first $99 discounted rate (2010) and was very disappointed when they tried to demand a non-discounted new sample for newer tests about a year later. If I had paid the full $500 I would have been downright peeved. Still, I'm glad I did it, 23andMe is a very enlightening experience. I even found some distant relatives I never knew about.

Honest question: Why would you need newer tests? Isn't your genetic code fixed along with all the risks it implies?

Re: 23andMe raises $50M, cuts price to $99, sets goal of 1M genotyped customers

#20
post #13
post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Who on earth would share their genetic profile with their insurance company? That's just asking for trouble.

Why not ? laws could be passed to forbid the use of genetic profiles in establishing premium rates the same way gender or ethnicity are not allowed for use when calculating credit scores. We're talking about a win-win-win (consumer, insurance company, state/ fed) situation for everybody if only we could learn to trust a lil bit. Why does every relationship between a consumer & a service provider has to be rooted in m…

> Why does every relationship between a consumer & a service provider has to be rooted in mistrust ?

Because of money.

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