Were you recently given a 23andMe test as a gift? Are you curious about your ancestry, and wondering whether your DNA might have the answer? There are a variety of reasons to want a direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic test—but even more to reconsider before you spit into a tube and send it off to the labs of a for-profit company miles away.
Whatever your current level of skepticism, whatever your reason for considering a genetic test, our DTC chatbot is here to help you make an informed decision.
Correction: A previous version of this article incorrectly implied that by taking a DTC test, your data becomes public domain. In fact, by taking a DTC test, your data becomes subject to government subpoena for as long as you maintain your account.