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Tools to use with your 23 and Me or AncestryDNA raw data

There is a ton of information hidden in your genetic raw data file. You can learn about which foods to eat, mood issues, health conditions, nutrient interactions, and much more.

But….  There are also a lot of scammy websites out there wanting access to your private genetic data. Learn how to stay safe while finding out more about yourself using your 23andMe, AncestryDNA, or other genetic raw data.

Shameless plug…

Start here on Genetic Lifehacks for research-backed information and analysis of your 23 and Me raw data:

My goal is simple: curate the best research studies and explain the background science. Then I show your genotype report and list actions that are based on research.

For example, you can use your genetic data to find out about:

Genetic Lifehacks is member-supported, which means no ads and no financial bias.

Privacy is extremely important when it comes to genetics and health! The membership features are uniquely designed to keep your data securely on your own computer.

Where else can I upload my 23 and Me raw data for free?

Below are:

  • free resources for learning about genetics
  • paid report companies
  • genetic databases that may be helpful as you search for answers

Privacy is the #1 priority when it comes to genetic and health data:

  1. Read the privacy policy – search for the section on genetic data – before uploading your data anywhere.
  2. Don’t trust their advertising! Everyone says that they are focused on privacy – ready the policy to see if they are also sharing your data with third parties, affiliates, business partners, etc….
  3. Figure out if your data is considered a company asset. It isn’t enough that a company says, “We don’t sell your genetic data”. For many genetic report companies, the long-term goal is to include your genetic data as an asset when selling out to a tech giant.

3 Big overview reports on your genetic data:

The companies listed below will scan your genetic raw data file and provide links to numerous gene research initiatives. This procedure can help you figure out if your DNA contains anything rare or distinctive.

  1. Review of Codegen  (www.codegen.eu):
    Overview: This website also matches your 23andMe raw data file to information on Snpedia. They have comments from other users, which may be helpful if you like anecdotes or stories.
    Cost: Free
    Privacy policy: “1. We will never share or sell your data  2. The service is designed to be anonymous (does not request your name). The most anonymous way to use this service is to upload your raw file.”
    Note: they are partnered with a company to sell you vitamins.
  2. Review of Promethease (www.promethease.com):
    Overview: This website matches your 23 and Me, AncestryDNA, or other genetic data to the information on the Snpedia.com website and the ClinVar database.
    Price: $12 – $16
    Privacy policy:    Promethease was bought out by MyHeritage.com, and genetic user data was transferred to MyHeritage. The MyHeritage privacy policy states: “By submitting DNA samples to us and/or DNA Results to the Website, you grant us a royalty-free, world-wide license to use your DNA samples, the DNA Results and the resulting DNA Reports,…“  “The voluntary Surveys on MyHeritage (the “Surveys”) collect, preserve and analyze self-reported information related to physical and other personal traits, demography, household, lifestyle, habits, preferences, hobbies and interests, opinions, family, occupation, health, psychological and cognitive traits and other similar information (collectively, the “Survey Research Information”).”
  3. Review of Impute.me:  sold to another company
    Overview: This website allows you to upload your genome and run several ‘modules’ on it. Examples include modules on drug response and rare diseases. While not quite as user-friendly as other websites, Impute.me has in-depth information available on very specific topics.

7 Free resources for digging into your genetic raw data file on your own:

If you want to learn more about certain health concerns using your genetic raw data file, there are a number of free resources available to help you get started.

  1. LitVar
    This search engine looks up research studies relevant to specific SNPs or genes. It is convenient because it searches by both rs id and other ways researchers can reference a gene.
  2. SNPedia (www.snpedia.com):
    Overview: This is a user-edited resource (like Wikipedia) with links to research papers on specific genetic variants. If you have a specific topic in mind, SNPedia.com is a good starting point.
    Price: Free
    Privacy policy: SNPedia was sold to MyHeritage. It is still a great resource for older links to published articles on genetic variants.
  3. Pubmed.gov
    Overview: This is the National Institutes of Health’s searchable database for medical research studies. It’s a great starting place if you know the medical terminology to search for.
    Price: Free
  4. Clue.io
    Overview: From the Broad Institute, this tool allows you to input a gene name and find out which pharmaceuticals and other genes interact with that gene.
    Price: Free
  5. BioMed Explorer
    Overview: New tool from Google uses their search technology to explore medical and biology research papers. Essentially, a better way to search PubMed.
    Price: Free
  6. PharmGKB
    Overview: This database for clinicians and researchers to use contains information on how pharmaceutical drugs interact with genetic variants.
    Price: Free
  7. dbSNP
    Overview: Database of SNP information for researchers. If you have the rs id of a SNP you are interested in learning more about, plug it in here. It will give you information on the frequency in the population and links to all published research on that SNP.
    Price: Free
  8. GWAS Catalog
    Overview: This is a searchable database for results from genome-wide association studies.
    Price: free.

10 Places to Buy DNA reports on specific health topics:

  1. Review of Found My Fitness :
    Overview: Dr. Rhonda Patrick offers several different reports on genetics. Her podcasts are also excellent and very informative! In my opinion, what she offers is based on high-quality research studies.
    Price:  $25 or $15/month for membership
    Privacy policy:  Read it here  It does not explain what they do with your genetic data.
  2. Review of My Gene Food:
    Overview: This website takes your genetic data from 23andMe or Ancestry.com and creates a custom diet plan for you based. They also have a section of recipes. While I may have personal reservations on this type of service due to research limitations on diet/gene interaction, the blog articles and information on the MyGeneFood website seem to be solidly researched and very informative.
    Price: $95
    Privacy policy: Their policy doesn’t specify how they use your raw genetic data file. One ‘slippery slope’ with genetic information is that companies can take your name off the file and ‘de-identify it’. My Gene Food’s privacy policy does state: “We do not sell, trade, or otherwise transfer to outside parties your personally identifiable information. “
  3. Review of The DNA Company
    Overview: The DNA Company offers reports on various health topics such as cardiovascular health, sleep, and nutrition for $399 to $4,999.
    Price: $399 and up
    Privacy Policy: Please read it! The company’s privacy policy states that they will share your personal information, including age, address, height, waist measurement, health history, and Google Analytics search history, with a subsidiary called Youtrients. They will retain your personal information for as long as is reasonably necessary and for five years afterward. Additionally, if another corporation buys the DNA company or their assets, your personal information, including genetic and health data, will be sold as a business asset.
  4. Review of StrateGene:
    Overview: This is a color-coded report of your methylation cycle polymorphisms that is fairly comprehensive for that specific purpose. It uses 23 and Me data. Strategene is part of Seeking Health, from Dr. Ben Lynch. StrateGene recommends hiring a physician to interpret the report since the report doesn’t explain what each SNP means. There is also a Facebook group for people who have paid for a report. Update: StrateGene now offers its own DNA tests as well as the ability to use other genetic data.
    Price: $95
    Privacy policy: 
  5. Review of LiveWello:
    Overview: When you upload your 23 and Me data, you can see the major and minor alleles for a bunch of genetic variants. Everyone (all users) can create different ‘reports’ to share with others. Livewello also has links to snpedia.com and people’s questions or comments about that gene. There are links to practitioners who you can hire.
    Price: $75-215/year
    Privacy policy: They no longer have a privacy policy accessible on their home page.
  6. Review of Genetic Genie:
    Overview: This popular website gives you a report on your methylation cycle-related genes. A lot of the information is based on outdated work from various clinicians’ websites. Much of what is written is speculative and not backed by published research.
    Price: $10 donation
    Privacy policy: last updated in 2019: “We de-identify data to our best ability (files can have identifying metadata) and store your uploaded genetic information for up to 24 hours. In most cases, genetic data is deleted immediately after processing.”
  7. Review of Xcode.Life:
    Overview: Xcode life sells individual reports on traits and health topics.
    Price: Individual reports, such as to find out if you have an athlete gene, are $50 and up.
    Privacy policy: Their privacy policy consists of four marketing bullet points that explain nothing about how they are using your genetic data.
  8. Review of Genomelink.io
    Overview: Gives away a free report on a topic if you upload your 23andMe data to them.
    Price: An initial free report and then $14/month for access to traits reports and then one report per week.
    Privacy policy: Their privacy policy states that they are selling your genetic data if you opt in to any survey or research questions and to their service providers. They also use your genetic data for marketing purposes. They clearly state that your personal information and genetic data are considered a business asset that will be sold as part of any merger or sale of the business.

Finding information about genetics on Reddit

Sometimes Reddit has some interesting information about genetics, current research, or just people talking about their 23 and Me results. Check out the Genetic Lifehacks article on subReddits about genetics. 

What is the best DNA test kit?

If you have decided to test your DNA, you may be overwhelmed by all of the choices available today. You can find our quick reference guide that compares the well-known companies that offer DNA testing here.

Most Popular Genetic Lifehacks articles:

Top 10 Genes to Check in Your Genetic Raw Data
Wondering what is actually important in your genetic data? These 10 genes have important variants with a big impact on health. Check your genes (free article).

Folate & MTHFR: How to check your genetic raw data for C677T and A1298C
The MTHFR gene codes for a key enzyme in the folate cycle. MTHFR variants can decrease the conversion to methyl folate.

Histamine Intolerance: How genetic variants increase the risk of histamine problems
Chronic headaches, sinus drainage, itchy hives, problems staying asleep, and heartburn — all of these symptoms can be caused by the body not breaking down histamine very well. Your genetic variants could be causing you to be more sensitive to foods high in histamine. Check your genetic data to see if this could be at the root of your symptoms.

ACTN3: Muscle Type Gene
The ACTN3 gene codes for actinin alpha-3, a protein found in muscles. Some people don’t produce this protein, which changes the composition of their muscles.

FUT2: Are you a non-secretor of your blood type?
People with a variant in the FUT2 gene do not secrete their blood type. This variant affects the gut microbiome – and makes you immune to the norovirus.

COMT: Inhibitors and Supplement Interactions:
Find out how the slow or fast COMT variant can interact with supplements to cause mood swings.

MAOA and the Warrior Gene:
Find out whether the warrior gene is real, and learn about your MAO snps.