Some genetic variants can be informative about one's risk for Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease.
— Anne Wojcicki
We have been trained not to think about our health care until there's a problem.
I like company lunches because I think going out wastes valuable time; plus, a lot of good ideas come up over lunch.
I usually start my day when my kids wake up.
TIVO was a big shift in how people watched TV, but everyone understood the concept of TV. No one really understands the concept of, well why would I want my genetic information?
23andme is very independent and committed to focusing on transparency.
I guess I'm just fiercely independent.
We should revel in tons and tons and tons of ideas. Some of them will manifest and lead to a drug discovery, and some will not.
If consumers were more empowered, they would take more responsibility for their health.
Our approach to medicine is very 19th-century. We are still in the dark ages. We really need to get to the molecular level so that we are no longer groping about in the dark.
My parents were passionate about what they did, very cheap, and very focused on doing good in society.
There's a whole group of people who are 100-plus and have no disease. Why?
Obesity is awesome from a Wall Street perspective. It's not just one disease - there are all sorts of related diseases to profit from.
There should be choice in healthcare.
Big challenges are an accumulation of small challenges.
A solid foundation in genetics is increasingly important for everyone.
Making personalized medicine a reality will require a strong partnership between 23andMe and the physician and medical communities.
I still meet old-school scientists who are like, 'Oh honey, women aren't good at science.' You kind of dismiss them as insane.
One of the best aspects of health care reform is it starts to emphasize prevention.
I think it's important to have flexibility to work wherever is best for you. I actually encourage people to work at the cafe - or from home or wherever works best for them.
I had a very unusual childhood in that I grew up on the Stanford campus and I never moved.
We all want our genetic information. Why would you not want genetic information?
We don't have enough data about how lifestyle decisions impact our health.
I do believe at some point in time everyone will be genotyped at birth.
I'm action-oriented.
The consumer is really underutilized in health care.
I think it is absolutely crazy in this day and age that I have to go through a trial and error method to see if my child is allergic to an antibiotic or peanuts. I should just know.
I'm at a slightly higher risk for type 2 diabetes, and my grandmother had diabetes. My hemoglobin a1c, which is one of the measures, started being a little high when I was drinking a ton of that coconut water.
Knowing your genetic health risks will help you make better decisions.
As the knowledge around personalized medicine continues to grow, consumers should expect their healthcare providers to begin to incorporate genetic information into their treatments and preventative care.
I don't necessarily want my physician making all my decisions.
The world needs more social innovations.
Data helps solve problems.
Women who have been recently diagnosed with breast cancer can learn a tremendous amount from women who have already been treated.
There's enough data showing that the fitter you are, the better you eat, the more likely you are to stay healthy longer.
There's massive government initiatives going around the world, and you see that there's a real enthusiasm for genetics.
I carry my iPad and laptop with me everywhere.
I think the biggest problem in clinical trials is that they are underpowered. And that fundamentally, the studies are just too small.
Nobody can quantify for you what's the impact of eating fiber every day, for instance. We can say we think it's good. But some people might say 'Oh, it reduces your risk of colon cancer by 20%, some people might say it reduces your risk by 25%.'
Being able to do research in a real-time way is the way research needs to be done in the future.
As a parent, the most responsible thing I can do is get as much information about my children as possible so I can then think through how I can make them as healthy as possible.
I think there's a point to regulating, because there are snake oil companies.
I have always been interested in health care and doing something that is dramatic.
I think life is pretty awesome.
Everyone's going to die, and everyone's going to get sick at some point. But I do believe that there are choices you can make in life that will make you as healthy as possible.
23andMe set out to try and change healthcare - this is not an easy business. This is not a coffee shop in Austin.
FDA clearance is an important step on the path towards getting genetic information integrated with routine medical care.
My mom was a problem solver.
Our understanding of how DNA informs our health and development is advancing at an incredible pace.
23andMe is pleased to bring public funding to bear on data and research driven by the public - our more than 180,000 customers.
