# 23andMe

23andMe é uma empresa privada de genômica pessoal e biotecnologia, com sede em Mountain View (condado de Santa Clara), Estados Unidos, que fornece testes genéticos com rapidez. Sua denominação provém dos 23 pares de cromossomos de uma célula humana normal. Seu kit rápido para teste de genoma foi aclamado como "invenção do ano" pela revista Time em 2008.

## Fundação

A companhia foi fundada por Linda Avey e Anne Wojcicki após ambas reconhecerem a necessidade de uma maneira de organizar e estudar dados genéticos, a possibilidade de consumidores individuais usarem a informação e a necessidade de especialistas para interpretar os resultados.
Avey desligou-se da companhia em 2009 para estabelecer uma fundação para as causas e tratamento do Mal de Alzheimer.

## Serviços

23andMe começou a oferecer serviços de teste de DNA em novembro de 2007, com seus resultados postados online
began offering DNA testing services in November, 2007, the results of which are posted online and allow an assessment of inherited traits, genealogy and possible congenital risk factors. Customers provide a 2.5 mL spit sample which is analyzed on a DNA microarray of Illumina, for 960,000 specific single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). An eventual goal is to provide whole genome sequencing. In June 2011, 23andMe announced it had accumulated a database of more than 100,000 individuals. The organization also provides testing for certain research initiatives providing confidential customer datasets to and partnering with research foundations with a goal of establishing genetic associations with specific illnesses and disorders. Co-founder of Google Sergey Brin (whose mother suffers from Parkinson's disease and who is married to 23andMe co-founder Anne Wojcicki) underwrote the cost of the company's Parkinson's disease genetics initiative to provide free testing for people suffering from the condition. An analysis of the results of research on Parkinson's disease comparing 23andMe with a National Institutes of Health initiative suggested that the company's use of large amounts of computational power and datasets might offer comparable results, though in much less time.
In 2008, Time magazine named the company's saliva-based DNA-testing service "Invention of the Year". The service and ability to map significant portions of the genome has raised controversial questions including whether the results can be meaningfully interpreted, and if they will lead to genetic discrimination. The states of New York and California unsuccessfully attempted to block the tests (provided by 23andMe as well as other companies) under the grounds that they were not properly licensed and attempted to require tests to be conducted only when ordered by a physician. By August 2008, 23andMe had received licenses that allow them to continue to do business in California.

## Investment

In 2007, Google, whose co-founder Sergey Brin is married to the co-founder of 23andMe Anne Wojcicki, invested $3,900,000 in the company, along with Genentech, New Enterprise Associates and Mohr Davidow Ventures.
In 2012, 23andMe raised $50 million in a Series D venture round, almost doubling its existing financing of $52.6 million. This enabled the company to further reduce the price of its product, which was originally priced at $999, from $299 to $99 in an effort to increase its customer base from 180,000 to one million. -->