MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. and PROVO, Utah, Sept. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- 23andMe, Inc., the industry leader in personal genetics, and Ancestry.com, the world’s largest online family history resource with nearly three million active users and 875,000 subscribers, have teamed up to provide improved genetic information to Ancestry.com’s DNA customers. The partnership furthers the shared vision of 23andMe and Ancestry.com of enriching the lives of individuals by providing access to novel ancestral information through DNA analysis.
The 23andMe Personal Genome Service(TM) provides unprecedented, individual access to genetic information, including deep ancestry analysis developed by the 23andMe science team. Users of the Ancestry.com DNA service will now have access to the same ancestral content available through the 23andMe website, designed to give people a deeper understanding of their past. 23andMe’s ancestry analysis allows users to trace their genetic lineage and discover the role that their ancestral origins have played in human history.
Ancestry.com DNA testing combines science with a robust database of more than seven billion names in 26,000 databases and more than seven million user-submitted family trees to create an incredible asset for users to make connections, trace their roots and connect with distant cousins. 23andMe utilizes the latest advances in DNA analysis and Web-based technology to provide its customers with a detailed genetic profile and interactive tools to explore their family lineage and health traits. 23andMe population geneticists have developed an unrivaled compilation of genetic content related to ancestry. As leaders in online ancestry and population genetics tools, Ancestry.com and 23andMe will continue to collaborate to provide Ancestry.com DNA customers with new and valuable information about their forebears.
“23andMe and Ancestry.com share the goal of empowering people and families through the sharing of ancestry and genetic information,” said Dr. Joanna Mountain, Senior Director of research at 23andMe and former professor of anthropology genetics at Stanford University. “By partnering with Ancestry.com, we welcome users of the Ancestry.com DNA service into our community to help them further understand their origins.”
“DNA testing is a powerful tool for people to discover new family connections and learn more about their ancient lineage,” said Brett Folkman, Vice President of Ancestry.com DNA. “By combining DNA analysis with historical records, Ancestry.com DNA offers users an unprecedented tool for researching family heritage. 23andMe’s extensive ancestry content will further enrich our customer experience.”
About 23andMe
23andMe, Inc. is the leading personal genetics company dedicated to helping individuals understand their own genetic information through DNA analysis technologies and web-based interactive tools. The company’s Personal Genome Service(TM) enables individuals to gain deeper insights into their ancestry and inherited traits. 23andMe, Inc., was founded by Linda Avey and Anne Wojcicki in 2006, and the company is advised by a group of renowned experts in the fields of human genetics, bioinformatics and computer science. Its Series A investors include Genentech, Inc., Google Inc. and New Enterprise Associates. More information is available at http://www.23andme.com.
About Ancestry.com
With 26,000 searchable databases and titles and nearly 3 million active users, Ancestry.com is the No. 1 online source for family history information. Since its launch in 1997, Ancestry.com has been the premier resource for family history, simplifying genealogical research for millions of people by providing them with many easy-to-use tools and resources to build their own unique family trees. Ancestry.com is part of The Generations Network, Inc., a leading network of family-focused interactive properties, including http://www.myfamily.com/, http://www.rootsweb.com/, http://www.genealogy.com/ and Family Tree Maker. In total, The Generations Network properties receive nearly 7.2 million unique visitors worldwide. ((C) comScore Media Metrix, July 2008). To easily begin researching your family history, visit http://www.ancestry.com/.
CONTACT: Rachel G. Cohen, Manager, Communications of 23andMe, Inc.,
+1-650-453-1336, press@23andme.com; or Sara Black, +1-213-996-3812,
sblack@painepr.com, for Ancestry.com
Web site: http://www.23andme.com/
http://www.ancestry.com/
