Big weight-loss study

Let's hope it yields valuable insights. A DNA-testing company will invite participation from its 1.3 million customers in a project to find correlations between weight loss and their DNA patterns.

• 23andMe's customers get health and ancestry information from analysis of their DNA. The company thinks it can "create predictive models that provide tailored weight loss advice as part of its consumer genetic reports." This would help the company go beyond typical nutrition advice that's not specific to individual needs.
• For example, customer "receive a prediction of their body mass based on their genes, a report telling them whether they have an inborn tendency to be heavier or thinner. The problem is 23andMe can’t yet tell them what to do about it, making the results mostly irrelevant."

The goals appear noble, but here are some considerations when using DNA testing services. If you're thinking of using one of these services for, say, analyzing your health, read the terms of use and decide if you're OK with them. After all, there's no such thing as a free lunch. You may get some services for free, but most likely, the firm has found a way to make money off your data.