What Invitae does
Invitae is a clinical genetic testing company offering medical-grade, doctor-ordered genetic tests. They specialize in diagnostic panels for hereditary cancer, cardiovascular conditions, neurological conditions, rare diseases, and reproductive health. Tests are ordered through healthcare providers and processed in CLIA-certified labs.
Key features
- Medical-grade genetic testing (CLIA-certified)
- Hereditary cancer panels (BRCA, Lynch syndrome, etc.)
- Cardiovascular and neurological condition panels
- Carrier screening for reproductive planning
- Pharmacogenomics testing
- Genetic counseling included with results
- Insurance coverage for many tests when clinically indicated
Health analysis: how they differ
Invitae requires a doctor's order and is designed for clinical diagnosis, not consumer exploration. Tests are targeted to specific conditions rather than providing a broad genetic health overview. You can't upload raw data from 23andMe or AncestryDNA. The service is clinical, not consumer-facing — you won't get lifestyle, nutrition, or wellness insights.
Your DNA Unlocked takes a different approach: transparent clinical databases (ClinVar with 341,000+ classified variants, PharmGKB for drug-gene interactions), detailed pharmacogenomics (CYP2D6, CYP2C19, CYP2C9, CYP3A4, CYP1A2), methylation pathway analysis (MTHFR, COMT, MTRR), and a structured health protocol with specific recommendations.
The bottom line
Invitae provides clinical-grade diagnostic testing ordered by doctors. Your DNA Unlocked serves a different role: comprehensive health exploration from consumer raw data. If Invitae or Your DNA Unlocked flags something serious, clinical confirmation through a service like Invitae is the recommended next step.
Who should use which
Choose Invitae if:
- You have a clinical indication for genetic testing (family history, symptoms)
- Your doctor has recommended genetic testing for a specific condition
- You need medical-grade results for treatment decisions
- You want genetic counseling with your results
Choose Your DNA Unlocked if:
- You already have raw DNA data and want deep health analysis
- You want detailed pharmacogenomics (how your genes affect medication response)
- You want comprehensive disease risk screening against ClinVar
- You want an actionable health protocol with supplement, diet, and monitoring guidance
Frequently asked questions
Do I need Invitae to use Your DNA Unlocked?
No. Your DNA Unlocked accepts raw data from 23andMe, AncestryDNA, and other major testing companies. You need a raw data file from some provider, but it doesn't have to be Invitae.
Can I use both?
In many cases, yes. If Invitae generates raw data you can download, you can upload it to Your DNA Unlocked for additional health analysis. The services can complement each other.
What if I already have data from a different company?
Your DNA Unlocked works with raw data from 23andMe, AncestryDNA, and other major providers. You don't need to switch to or buy from Invitae.