Ancestry has just released two new health-related DNA tests called AncestryHealth Core and AncestryHealth Plus. The tests are designed to tell you more about your predisposition to certain illnesses and conditions and indicate genetic traits you might pass on to your children.
Marjan Champine, genetic counselor manager at Ancestry, sees the implementation of health reports as a natural evolution of the company and says, “This has been something we’ve been thinking about for a long time,” which is true given that Ancestry began its work on the project back in 2015.
AncestryHealth Core will cost 149.00$, but existing users will be able to purchase it at a discount. It will examine 17 genes associated with 9 health conditions, including hereditary colon cancer, hereditary breast cancer, hereditary ovarian cancer, high cholesterol, Tay-Sachs disease, sickle cell anemia, iron overload disorder, cystic fibrosis, and cardiomyopathy. The test will utilize genotyping, a technology that focuses on specific gene variants also used by the likes of MyHeritage and 23andMe.
AncestryHealth Plus, on the other hand, will be a membership service that utilizes next-generation sequencing, which examines a bigger portion of your genome. In the beginning, the service will include only 10 reports, some of which will overlap with AncestryHealth Core. However, new insights will become available over time. AncestryHealrh Plus will be available in early 2020 with an initial fee of 199.00$ and a biannual fee of 49.00$.
As an additional benefit, users will also gain access to a special online tool designed to help them build their family history. This utility will not be connected to Ancestry’s genealogical website.
Since DNA test results can prove difficult to interpret correctly, Ancestry will also offer access to genetic counselors who can shine some extra light on your report. Both tests will require a doctor’s approval, which can now be obtained virtually thanks to the company’s partnership with PWNHealth. As Champine puts it, “We have put together an experience that is both actionable and provides the support that consumers often need to help interpret very complex genetic information.”