CircleDNA
by Mel
Aug 16, 2020 |
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Called “the world’s most accurate and comprehensive” home DNA test capable of reporting on over 500 genetic categories including disease risk, food sensitivity, lifestyle, and behavioral traits; CircleDNA is the first and only retail test kit to use next generation sequencing (NGS) technology offering whole exome sequencing.
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Summary
Called “the world’s most accurate and comprehensive” home DNA test capable of reporting on over 500 genetic categories including disease risk, food sensitivity, lifestyle, and behavioral traits; Hong Kong-based CircleDNA—a division of genetic testing company Prenetics—is the first and only retail test kit to use next generation sequencing (NGS) technology offering whole exome sequencing, unlike other DNA testing kits available on the market.
Founded in 2014 with funding from multinational giant Alibaba.com, CircleDNA offers gene sequencing services, as well as over 500 reports across 20 basic categories. They also provide complementary one-on-one genetic counseling with their DNA kits, a service not offered by their main competitors 23andMe
and AncestryDNA.
And unlike their rivals, CircleDNA focuses primarily on health reports instead of ancestry on top of using technology from Illumina to provide advanced whole exome sequencing (versus whole genome sequencing) which collects 31 million data points. This is far more than typical genotyping tests and is an especially efficient way to identify the genetic variants in all of an individual's genes.
To date, CircleDNA has processed over 300,000 DNA samples and is available for sale worldwide.
Admittedly more expensive than other DNA Sequencing kits, CircleDNA’s tests are designed and marketed primarily for those interested in personal DNA sequencing less for genealogical purposes and more as an investment in disease prevention and health/wellness management.
That said, CircleDNA’s customers have overwhelmingly shown that they are willing to pay a premium price in exchange for the vast advantages offered by CircleDNA/Prenetics’ more advanced and superior genomic technology.
CircleDNA currently offers four (4) home DNA testing options to fit your particular budget, health needs, and focus areas with the more expensive kits also offering extras such as genetic counseling and health coaching. All tests come with 99.9% analytical accuracy externally validated by Croucher Lab of Human Genomics.
Vital DNA Test is CircleDNA’s lowest priced product giving users 125 reports about Diet (15), Nutrition (20), Sports & Fitness (18), Ancestry (15), Skin (14), Physical Traits (12), Stress & Sleep (8), Personality Traits (5) and many more and includes a 30-minute complementary consultation with a health coach. Learn how your DNA influences your body type, stress levels, sleep patterns, skin needs, traits, talents and so much more so that you can make the right choices for a better and healthier life.
Health DNA Test gives customers information about cancer and disease risks and prevention. The product includes 36 reports for cancer, 73 reports for other critical illnesses, and 6 reports for brain health (including risk for Alzheimer’s Disease) for a total of 115 reports. It also comes with a complementary 30-minute one-on-one genetic counseling session with a genetics-trained professional (but does not include health coaching).
Family Planning DNA Test primarily offers information about genetic risks for disease and is designed for those who are thinking of starting a family or are pregnant. Find out if you and your partner carry inherited conditions that may be passed on to your unborn child. It offers 163 reports, each corresponding to a specific disease or disorder. 38 relate to neonatal & early childhood death (such as Gracile Syndrome); 116 that focus on conditions that shorten lifespan (such as Cystic Fibrosis) leading to increased risk of childhood death; and 71 reporting on diseases that carry a significant risk for intellectual disability, such as Phenylalanine Hydroxylase Deficiency.
The Family Planning DNA test comes with a complementary 30-minute one-on-one genetic counseling session with a genetics-trained professional (but does not include health coaching).
CircleDNA’s most comprehensive and maximum value product is their Premium DNA Test offering all the reports of the other three tests bundled into one package, including a lifetime subscription to future genomic data updates (an optional extra costing $69 USD), complementary genetic professional and health coach consultation sessions, and a complementary Drug Response DNA Test that analyzes 103 FDA Approved Drugs.
How It Works?
All of CircleDNA’s tests can be administered at home by cheek swab (compared to the saliva sample used by competitors like 23 and Me). To order your preferred DNA test kit, simply visit CircleDNA.com and choose your country’s specific site from the drop-down menu in the Delivery Destination or Region box located at the upper right corner of the home page. When ordering you will be required to register an account with the site (as your personal account will be your main conduit to receive all relevant communications, results, and updates from the company).
Once you set up an account and have received your kit, you can proceed to activate the kit using the Circle Mobile App. After logging into your account, you will need to follow the on-screen instructions, and scan or type in the barcode, which can be found inside your collection kit. Take note that CircleDNA cannot process your DNA sample if the kit has not been activated. By activating your kit, they can then identify your DNA sample to generate your personalized Circle results for you.
Upon receiving your sample collection kit, you will find inside a Quick Start Guide, a package that contains a buccal swab and return tube containing preservative liquid, and a a package containing a specimen bag and a return box (kits delivered outside of Hong Kong will also contain a FedEx shipping pouch containing a prepaid shipping tracking waybill and commercial invoice).
Detailed instructions on how to use the swab to collect your sample are included in each Circle kit. If your order contains more than one kit, make sure that each individual collects his/her DNA sample using the collection kit they have registered or intend to register. The sample collection process can be performed under various health circumstances, including while you are sick (except in suspected cases of COVID-19), while you are on common medication, or while you are pregnant. You are also advised not to eat, drink, smoke, or use mouthwash 30 minutes before collecting your DNA sample.
After collecting your sample, place the swab in the provided return tube—taking care NOT to spill any of the DNA preservation liquid—and follow instructions on how to return your sample to CircleDNA.
Sample processing typically takes around 18 business days. After the DNA sample is processed, clients will then receive their personalized reports on the Circle App. PDF versions of the reports are also available online via your registered account and email and include access to a Help Desk for any questions or concerns.
Both the app and the PDF take pains to explain how DNA testing works, and that the results aren't diagnostic. Rather, they show predisposition to certain traits and illnesses, with contributing factors from environment and lifestyle. While the PDF and app both contain your results, there's a lot more detail and tab-based user-friendly access via the Circle App, so it is recommended to start your report analysis there for easier readability.
If you just want a more at-a-glance summary of your results, the PDF is ideal, especially since everything is color-coded and includes easy-to-interpret graphics.
Price
The Vital DNA Test costs $189, Health DNA and Family Planning DNA cost $499 while the Premium DNA test is priced at $629. You may pay online via credit card (VISA, Mastercard and AMEX) only.
Meanwhile, every Circle test kit includes FREE/complementary delivery and return to over 80 countries. FedEx is CircleDNA’s courier partner for International Shipping of orders outside of Hong Kong.
CircleDNA’s 30-Day Risk-Free Trial is designed to ensure that you are satisfied with CircleDNA Premium. As a first-time buyer, they are confident that their premier product will continuously satisfy when it comes to your health - now and in the future - that you will want to keep the handy information available past 30 days. As their Premium customer, you are also entitled to a lifetime of unlimited DNA updates pertaining to your personal health.
Bonuses
Depending on the kit you select, you may receive complementary Health Coach and/or Genetic Counseling worth 30-minutes each care of CircleDNA’s diverse team of experts.
The company’s genetics-trained health coaches come from various backgrounds and have expertise in nutrition, coaching and fitness and will provide you guidance and advice to help you achieve your health goals.
Their board-certified genetic counselors, on the other hand, are experts in the field of genetics and they will be able to help you review your test results and assist you with any questions you may have to help you understand your genetic risk of heritable conditions.
One of the most unusual and interesting parts of CircleDNA's results is the Drug Response section (complementary/free for Premium DNA clients). It takes you through a selection of common pharmaceutical drugs and uses your genes to assess how you might respond to them.
As for Privacy concerns, CircleDNA reassures that "We do not sell, lease or rent any of your data with any third party. Only you can decide how your results are used and shared with others" and that "You can delete your account and data at anytime [sic] by emailing us at care@circledna.com." If you're still concerned about your privacy, CircleDNA also allows you to register your kit using a pseudonym rather than your real name. Samples are identified by anonymous codes in the lab in any case, and Circle states that it stores genetic data separately from your ordering information (address, credit card information and phone number).
CircleDNA.com, furthermore, uses SSL, and the company's data transfer systems have apparently been assessed by a third party to confirm compliance with international security standard ISO 27001.
Conclusion
Because it uses advanced, industry-leading whole exome sequencing in its DNA testing, CircleDNA may be considerably more expensive than other DNA Sequencing kits in the market that focus on genealogy and ancestry, but if you’re more interested in investing in health screening and disease prevention, then a Circle DNA test is definitely worth the premium cost as the price to pay for better health, less stress, and longer life.
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