23andMe is once again providing its customers with health-related data, the New York Times reports. It notes, though, that the data is not as wide-ranging as it had previously been.
Nearly two years ago, the US Food and Drug Administration sent 23andMe a letter telling it to cease marketing its health test as the agency had concerns regarding its validity.
The company continued to sell its ancestry test, though Anne Wojcicki, co-founder and chief executive of 23andMe, tells the Times that the number of new customers fell by about half after it stopped providing health information.
But on Wednesday, 23andMe announced that it is offering a revamped Personal Genome Service. It now includes ancestry, wellness, nonmedical traits, and carrier status reports. The carrier status report, which the company says has been authorized by FDA, tells customers whether they are carriers for three dozen diseases, including cystic fibrosis, Tay-Sachs, and sickle cell anemia, the Times adds. This new service is $199.
Wojcicki also tells the Times that the company hopes to also be able to provide customers data on their genetic predisposition to certain health risks, but says she's not sure how long it will take to get FDA approval for that. Reuters says that the company is still working to provide drug reaction predictions as well.
"There's more work ahead on the other areas but I'm optimistic," Wojcicki tells Reuters.