Q. How does Genetic Lifehacks keep my data more secure than other companies?

A. Genetic Lifehacks reports and enhanced article features are created ‘browser side’. Your data stays only on your computer, seen only by you, and not stored online. 

On other genetics websites, you have to upload your data to be stored on their server and allow the company to save, use, and view your genetic data. While it may be convenient, there is a risk to your personal data when it is uploaded to the internet.

All genetics companies say that they care about your privacy… But when you read through their policies, you will often get a different picture.

Here’s the secret no one is talking about:
Many companies are compiling your genetic data (plus health lab data) to use as an asset — selling it when the company gets bought out by a tech giant. Genetic Lifehacks doesn’t store your data, doesn’t track your every move, and can’t sell you out to a tech giant.

Q. How are the topic reports created since I’m not uploading my data?

A. When you log in as a member, you can connect to your raw genetic data file on your hard drive. The data is read into a temp file in your browser, sorting out your genotypes and showing your information in the reports and the enhanced articles. Your genetic data is not transmitted across the internet – these actions all happen privately on your computer. The goal is to protect your privacy. In other words, you control your data (literally) and don’t rely on an online server for its protection.

Q. Why use a membership model instead of just selling ads?

A. The membership model keeps Genetic Lifehacks free of ads and financial bias. Instead, the goal is to prioritize member needs, rather than selling you stuff. Advertisers track users from one website to another to build detailed profiles of content interactions that can be sold. When it comes to private health issues and genetics, the last thing you want is to be tracked and profiled. Genetic Lifehacks puts your privacy first – no advertisers, no tracking pixels or third-party analytics tracking.

**Q. Which raw data file types and browsers are supported?

The topic summary reports and interactive features for members work well with most modern browsers, such as Chrome, Brave, Safari, and Firefox. Unfortunately, the reports will not work with Internet Explorer.

• 23andMe (version 3, 4, and 5) and AncestryDNA (v2) .txt files work well for the summary reports.
• Data files in a similar format, such as from Sequencing.com, SelfDecode, or 24genetics also work.
• MyHeritage (.csv) and TellMeGen files also work.
• The 3×4 Genetics raw data file isn’t in the format that will work on Genetic Lifehacks; however, it is possible to convert this file to work. Reach out if you need help.

What doesn’t work?

• The DNA Company now offers what they call a data download file, but this file will not work on Genetic Lifehacks. It only contains the RSids that are in their reports and isn’t a full raw data file.
• Tests for specific genes, such as for cancer or pharmacogenetics, will not work. These tests are great for their specific purposes, but they don’t cover many of the genes included on Genetic Lifehacks.

You are welcome to contact us with specific questions before joining. If you join and find that the data file you have doesn’t work, just contact us within a week for a full refund.

Q. Can I sign my kids up? Or use their data?

Genetic Lifehacks articles and summary reports use research based on adults, not children. Almost all research studies on genetics are conducted with adult study participants, and children can be physiologically different than adults at different ages and developmental stages. Without genetics studies specific to kids, we simply can’t know for sure that the genetic variants apply in the same way.