WeGene Review: The Best DNA Test For Asians?

Overview

1. Products: DNA testing, Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS), ancestry, and health reports.
2. Cost: WeGene offers discounted services to those with preexisting genetic files, but their WGS costs $600.
3. Reports: Ancestry, health, wellness, and nutrition reports.
4. Raw data access: Yes.
5. Privacy: WeGene may share genetic information according to their privacy policy.
6. Alternatives: SelfDecode delivers health recommendations based on DNA.

Pros

• Reports are extensive and they offer some health recommendations.
• WeGene provides free updates to the reports.

Cons

• WeGene has an English website and a Chinese website that offer different products.
• More comprehensive reports are only available in Chinese.
• The company focuses on East Asian ancestry, so test results may be inaccurate for other populations.
• The DNA test and WGS are currently only available in China.

About WeGene

WeGene is a DNA testing company founded in 2015 and is based in Shenzhen, China. The company strives to create the largest genome database for East Asian populations, especially Chinese ethnicities.

WeGene claims to be the DNA testing company with the largest number of users in China. Their goal is to help consumers obtain genetic information based on science and help develop personalized medicine.

Review of WeGene Products & Features

WeGene has a main Chinese website and an English website. The company offers different products on each website.

Review of WeGene English Website

WeGene offered ancestry and health analysis of genetic data from 23andMe and AncestryDNA. However, they have announced that this service has been discontinued as of April 2021. While they do not offer a DNA test kit for customers outside of China, they have announced on the WeGene English website that it may be coming soon.

The Ancestry Composition report offers geographic details about where ancestors came from and informs on ethnicity percentages. The Genetic Health Risk report provides information about health risks that may be associated with specific gene variants.

Review of WeGene Main Chinese Website

WeGene’s DNA test and WGS are available only in China. If users have genetic data from 23andMe or AncestryDNA, they can generate free reports. Customers can also import WGS data.

The WeGene Detection Standard Version 3.0 is a DNA test that analyzes 1.35 million sites in the genome with extremely high interpretation value, and additional 20 million sites with potential interpretation value.

The reports cover over 300 health-related items divided into 10 categories: ancestry analysis, sports gene, nutritional metabolism, health risks, hereditary diseases, drug guide, genetic, skin, and psychological characteristics, and third-party interpretations (explained below).

For this test, WeGene uses a gene chip developed specifically for Chinese populations that improves data analysis and helps to better target genetic traits and diseases. They claim it was designed based on genetic information from over 100,000 Chinese people.

The WeGene Whole Genome Sequencing examines 3 billion sites in the genome. Similar to the DNA test, the WGS offers reports on the 10 different categories, plus a whole genome report.

For both products, the company offers some additional services. Users can compare ancestral origins with people from around the globe, trace their surname, and find unknown relatives.

Furthermore, WeGene encourages users to participate in scientific research and surveys conducted by partnered institutions to help expand on the genomic information available. The company also provides a space where everyone can share their opinions and results.

Recently, WeGene started offering a Family Gene service, in which parents can combine their genetic results to predict their child’s predisposition to certain conditions.

Review of WeGene Reports

For the WeGene English website, the company offers reports on both ancestry and health. The Ancestry Composition report includes ethnicity percentages, neanderthal proportion, and maternal and paternal haplogroup, as can be seen from the sample below.

The Genetic Health Risk reports examine specific genetic variants that are associated with an increased risk for certain health conditions. Users can choose to exclude any report before the results are delivered. WeGene encourages them to talk to a genetic counselor, but they do not provide this service.

For their Chinese website, they offer a more in-depth analysis of the genetic results. The DNA test brings information on 10 different categories, as reviewed below.

Ancestry: Provides 7 reports that analyze 42 ethnic groups. Users can explore their results by selecting any of the items, as shown in the sample report below.

Sport Gene: Offers 17 reports with information about how the body reacts to certain foods, exercise, and predicts the risk of injuries. Users can expand on each item shown below. WeGene offers a few general recommendations and additional information about the subject. Moreover, they inform which genes were tested and list the scientific references used for each report.

All health reports follow the same model as the Sport Gene sample report.

Nutritional Metabolism: 16 reports about how the body metabolizes certain nutrients, as well as mineral and vitamin needs.

Health Risk: Examines over 100 conditions to determine risk based on genetic results. The report informs on symptoms, health recommendations, and more.

Genetic Diseases: This report studies 85 genetic conditions to determine if the user is a carrier.

Drug Guide: Analyzes 14 medications to predict how the body might react to them.

Genetic Characteristics: Provides information on predisposition to certain traits that include smoking tendencies and deep sleep time. There are 12 reports for males and 14 for females.

Skin Characteristics: Analyzes skin conditions such as antioxidant capacity and acne tendencies. There are 16 reports for males and 17 for females.

Psychological Traits: Assesses 26 traits in areas like decision-making tendency, cognitive function, and positive emotions.

Invention Project: Provides 13 reports based on ongoing research.

Third-Party Interpretation: Users can create their own “micro interpretation” projects and share them with others, and people on the platform can make use of these projects. The company states they are not responsible for these results.

It’s worth noting that WeGene only analyzes a few genes per report. For example, the obesity report looks at 4 genes. For comparison, the SelfDecode Weight Report alone analyzes over 455,000 genetic variants related to weight and gives personalized diet, lifestyle, and supplement recommendations based on your DNA.

In addition to the reports presented above, the WeGene WGS includes a Complete DNA Sample section with 229 reports, shown below. Similar to the other reports, users can expand on each condition analyzed to find more information, recommendations, genes tested, and scientific references.

As seen below, WeGene gives the option of uploading lab results so users can compare them to their genetic predispositions and offers some health recommendations.

Cost of WeGene

For their Chinese website, the company prices the WeGene Detection Standard Version 3.0 at ￥599 ($90), while the WeGene WGS costs ￥3999 ($600). If users have DNA files from 23andMe or AncestryDNA or WGS data, they can get all the reports for a discounted price.

Before April 2021, international users could upload raw DNA files to WeGene to gain access to a limited number of reports. However, this service is no longer available.

Is Whole Genome Sequencing Worth It?

Not yet.

Whole genome sequencing is far more expensive than other popular DNA test kits on the market. A test from SelfDecode, for example, will cost you $90 – this is far more affordable than the $600 cost of WGS with WeGene.

Currently, only so many SNPs have been studied by scientists, so only a small portion of the results from a whole genome sequencing test can provide you with any meaningful information. Consequently, the difference in information between a standard SNP chip test (like one from 23andMe or SelfDecode) and a whole genome sequencing test is negligible.

Plus, by using something called genetic imputation, it is possible to accurately predict more genetic variants from a typical DNA file that tests 700,000 SNPs. For example, SelfDecode uses AI and machine learning to look at up to 83 million genetic variants, analyzing tens of thousands variants per DNA report.

At this time, you are getting very little for the significant extra cost required to have whole genome sequencing done.

Health Recommendations from WeGene

WeGene offers a genetic analysis through separate reports. For the health-related reports, the company analyzes conditions and informs on symptoms and other factors, and gives a few suggestions. However, they only analyze a few genes per health topic, possibly leaving out many that can impact your overall well-being.

As it is, most health recommendations are generic and could be applied to anyone. Although they provide scientific references, the company does not explain why they make their recommendations.

Review of WeGene Privacy & Data Security

While WeGene claims not to share genetic information with third parties without user consent, the company lists many exceptions in their privacy policy. For example, they may share information with their affiliates and may grant access to research institutions.

In addition, they offer various third-party applications on their website, which they say they are not responsible for.

The company claims to store genetic data according to HIPAA rules, and genomic and personal information are stored separately.

SelfDecode vs WeGene

1. SelfDecode delivers natural supplement, diet, and lifestyle suggestions based on your genes that you can implement right away. WeGene offers health recommendations, but some can be generic.
2. SelfDecode tells you why they make each recommendation so that you can understand the science behind the suggestion. WeGene does not provide a detailed explanation of why they make the recommendations.
3. SelfDecode prioritizes recommendations based on their analysis of all the relevant genes instead of one gene at a time (through reports). WeGene does not prioritize their recommendations.
4. SelfDecode takes a holistic approach to give recommendations that are best for your genes AND the health topic. WeGene presents their results in individual reports.
5. SelfDecode has a team of over 60 highly skilled scientists, MDs, PhDs, NDs, and software engineers to make sure they deliver the most accurate and science-based health information. According to their LinkedIn page, WeGene has 14 employees, 5 of which are dedicated to research.
6. SelfDecode is the most comprehensive and looks at more genes & SNPs (up to 83 million) to deliver the best analysis of genetic risks. WeGene offers WGS, but it is expensive, and they only analyze a few genes per report.
7. SelfDecode supports everything with peer-reviewed scientific studies in their research and checks for contradicting information. WeGene provides scientific references in the reports.
8. SelfDecode never sells your data or gives it away. WeGene states they may share information according to their privacy policy.

Comparisons

WeGene Reviews

DNAtestingchoice – Editor and Customer Average Rating of 3 of 5 stars

Both the editor and customers on DNAtestingchoice question how reliable the ancestry results are, but they are happy that the company offers free analysis for preexisting DNA files.

Top10DNATests – Editor Rating of 7.9 of 10

The reviewer likes that the company specializes in the exploration of East Asian heritage.

See what people are saying on Reddit

Reddit users discuss if the ancestry test offered by WeGene is accurate and talk about other options for people with Asian ancestry.

Alternatives to WeGene

SelfDecode: Delivers personalized health recommendations based on DNA and labs to help improve overall wellbeing.

WeGene Review Summary

WeGene’s DNA test and WGS are only available in China. The English website only offers the possibility of uploading preexisting genetic data files, although they are planning on offering a DNA test in the future. The company only provides limited services on the English website, and while international customers can use the Chinese website for raw data upload, all of the reports require translation.

For those of East Asian descent who want to explore their ancestry, WeGene can be a good option. However, if you want more accessible information on health and wellness, SelfDecode is a great place to start. SelfDecode offers an analysis of up to 83 million genetic variants and personalized diet, lifestyle, and supplement recommendations aimed at optimizing overall health.

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