What's the difference between genotyping and whole genome sequencing?
Genotyping (used by 23andMe and AncestryDNA) reads about 600,000 specific positions in your DNA — less than 0.01% of your genome. Whole genome sequencing reads all 6.4 billion positions, including coding genes, non-coding regulatory regions, and mitochondrial DNA. WGS captures structural variants, rare mutations, and pharmacogenomic markers that genotyping completely misses.
What can I do with my raw genome data?
Raw data files (FASTQ, BAM, VCF) can be uploaded to third-party analysis tools like SelfDecode, Promethease, FoundMyFitness, and Sequencing.com's app marketplace. These tools provide additional health reports, pharmacogenomic insights, and trait analyses beyond what your sequencing provider includes. Your raw data is also valuable for future re-analysis as new genetic research is published.
Is whole genome sequencing safe? What about privacy?
The collection process is completely non-invasive — it's a saliva sample. Regarding data privacy, policies vary by provider. Look for companies that are HIPAA and GDPR compliant, don't sell individual data, and allow you to delete your data on request. We recommend reading each provider's privacy policy carefully before purchasing.
What does 30× coverage mean?
Coverage depth refers to how many times each position in your genome is read during sequencing. At 30×, every base pair is sequenced an average of 30 times. This redundancy dramatically reduces error rates — achieving Q30 scores above 90%, meaning at least 90% of bases are read with 99.9% accuracy. This is the standard threshold for clinical-grade results.
Can I use WGS results with my doctor?
Yes — providers like Dante Labs deliver CLIA-certified results with ACMG-classified variants, meaning they meet the standard for clinical use. Many genomic results can inform conversations with your physician about carrier status, pharmacogenomics (how you metabolize certain drugs), and hereditary risk factors. We always recommend discussing results with a qualified healthcare provider or genetic counselor.
Do these services ship internationally?
Dante Labs and Sequencing.com both offer free worldwide shipping. AncestryDNA and 23andMe are limited to select countries. SelfDecode is an online-only analysis platform — no kit shipment needed if you already have raw DNA data from another provider. Note that in France, submitting a DNA sample for recreational genealogy is technically prohibited under Article 226-28-1 of the French Penal Code.
