23andMe Tests NFL Players' DNA for Athletic Genetic Factors

Personal Genetics Company's Research Reported in ESPN The Magazine's "Cheating
is so 1999" - on Newsstands

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Oct. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- 23andMe, Inc., an industry
leader in personal genetics, conducted the genetic analysis of both former and
current NFL players, as well as scientific controls, to investigate how genes
impact athletic performance. Over 100 players were recruited for the study,
the largest genetic examination ever conducted on professional American
athletes. It was performed as a result of discussions with senior writer
Shaun Assael of ESPN The Magazine and the Buck Institute and its president Jim
Kovach, a former Saints linebacker. The Buck Institute is recognized as the
country's leading independent research institute devoted to age research and
chronic disease. Results were reported by Assael in the latest issue of ESPN
The Magazine, on newsstands now.

Researchers at the Duke University Institute for Genome Sciences & Policy, the
Stanford University School of Medicine and 23andMe teamed up with the Buck
Institute to do the study. In a "GWAS" (Genome Wide Association Study)
comparing NFL "pros" to "Joes," 23andMe initially looked for variants
associated with athletic prowess using the players' raw genetic data obtained
from 23andMe testing. The study did not find the tested players to be genetic
outliers, suggesting that genetics may not be a good predictor of athletic
success.

The researchers then investigated a specific list of genes in the players
associated with athletic ability and longevity, including grip power,
oxygen-carrying capacity and injury risk. For example, mutations in the gene
COL1A1 (which is responsible for the manufacture of collagen, the protein that
keeps ligaments strong) have been associated with a reduced risk of ACL tears
in limited previous research. Knowledge about an individual's COL1A1 type
could in the future allow athletes to better understand their risk of knee
injury.

The genetic traits examined in the sample of NFL players are not part of
23andMe's direct-to-consumer service, but speak to the breadth of the genetic
research the company is undertaking.

"This was a unique opportunity to take on an innovative research idea using
our platform and working collaboratively with two outstanding academic
institutions, Duke and Stanford" said Anne Wojcicki, President and Co-Founder.
"NFL players in addition to all our customers contribute to our research
platform and help us make discoveries," Wojcicki continued. "This study, our
Parkinson's Disease initiative, launched with the Michael J. Fox Foundation
and the Parkinson's Institute, and our Senior Games Genome Project,
coordinated with the National Center for Senior Health and Fitness, are the
first of what we hope will be many divergent and exciting research projects at
23andMe. We look forward to announcing more results soon."

About 23andMe
23andMe, Inc. is a 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 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 www.23andme.com.

SOURCE 23andMe, Inc.

Rubenstein Communications: Rachel Nagler, +1-212-843-8017,
rnagler@rubenstein.com, or Jane E. Rubinstein, +1-212-843-8287,
jrubinstein@rubenstein.com