Founded by Debbie Moon in 2015, Genetic Lifehacks aims to combine an engineering mindset with biological systems and apply genetics to dietary and lifestyle choices. Genetic Lifehacks claims to use people's DNA to optimize their diets and lifestyles based on their needs. This article reviews their website, reports, user experience, and privacy to give a clear verdict. Is Genetic Lifehacks worth it?
Genetic Lifehacks Services
Top 5 Topics
Top 5 Topics is a genetic consultation report that analyzes your raw DNA data and studies five main traits of interest.
You can upload your raw DNA in three ways:
- At the order checkout page
- Via email
- Through a private Dropbox link
The report is usually 12-16 pages long and can cover more than five traits if needed.
It’s worth noting that these five traits are often selected at Debbie Moon’s discretion.
Upon request, the report may focus on specific traits of interest.
You may mention them while completing the order or via email.
Cheat Sheet
The Genetic Lifehacks Cheat Sheet is a 102-page report of all genetic variants detected in your raw DNA data.
Some of the categories of traits in the Cheat Sheet include:
- Detoxification pathways
- Heart disease
- Sleep & circadian rhythm
- Exercise
- Vitamins
- Neurotransmitters
- Hormones
Its results are presented in a tabular format, mentioning your risk for a given trait and some recommendations for managing it.
Email Course
Genetic Lifehacks offers a free 4-day email course on the basics of genetics and genetic testing.
The course helps you understand the various facets of a genetic testing report before you purchase one.
You may opt into the course by providing only your email address.
Genetic Lifehacks Report Quality
Genetic Lifehacks provides their reports within 2-4 business days.
While their Top 5 Topics report is reasonably concise, at 12-16 pages, their Ultimate Cheat Sheet Report may go up to 102 pages.
This can be difficult to read, especially since their report could be presented in a more readable or user-friendly manner.
Contrary to most other genetic testing services, Genetic Lifehacks displays its results in a tabular column with little room to explain the nature of each trait and the interpretation of each result.
Additionally, please bear in mind that Debbie Moon is not a doctor.
She only provides information and opinions curated using peer-reviewed research and statistics.
It's best to consult a doctor for medical advice regarding the information provided.
Genetic Lifehacks: Getting Started
Once you subscribe to a membership plan and purchase a product, you can upload your raw DNA data file from 23andMe or AncestryDNA.
The upload process takes about a minute.
Once that is done, you can complete the checkout.
After checkout, you will receive an email with your Top 5 Report within 2-4 business days.
It’s important to note that Genetic Lifehacks doesn’t provide DNA sample kits.
They only accept raw DNA files from 23andme and AncestryDNA at present.
Genetic Lifehacks Pricing
Genetic Lifehacks offers a membership option to its users at the following rates:
- Monthly Plan: $9.99 per month
- Annual Plan: $49.99 per year
- Lifetime Plan: $139.99 (one-time)
- Pro Membership Plan: $199 per year for healthcare professionals
These prices are as of 28th October, 2024. For updated membership pricing, please visit this link.
Genetic Lifehacks offers various services for its users with varied pricing for members and non-members.
For non-members:
- Top 5 Topics Report + Annual Membership Combo: $129.99
- Ultimate Cheat Sheet + Annual Membership Combo: $49.99
For members:
- Top 5 Topics + Cheat Sheet: $79.99
- Cheat Sheet: $0
- Additional Cheat Sheet: $10
- Family Cheat Sheet: $40 for up to 5 family members
About Privacy
According to their website, Genetic Lifehacks does not store personal information except when purchasing a product.
Additionally, if a user chooses to reach out via email, Genetic Lifehacks records their email address and associated name.
Finally, they store the email addresses of users who opt into their newsletter service.
The website collects user activity statistics and cookies to improve user experience.
To ensure user privacy, they do not use any tracking software on the website.
Genetic Lifehacks has turned off commenting to prevent users from unwittingly sharing sensitive personal and genetic data in the comments under their articles.
Genetic Lifehacks stores user genetic data offline on an encrypted drive.
They delete this data after 30 days and do not use it for research.
The information is used only for consultation and not shared with third parties.
Their privacy policy is transparent about the nature of the information they store and how they handle it.
For further information, read the Genetic Lifehacks Privacy Policy.
What People Say: News & Reviews
- Genetic Lifehacks has a Trustpilot rating of 4.8 stars out of 5.
- Trendhunter reviewed Genetic Lifehacks and scored it a 4.7 out of 5.
- On Facebook, they have a 94% recommendation rating.
- They have positive word-of-mouth on forums like Reddit, with customers appreciating that all traits are highlighted and linked to research papers.
More testimonials are available in the News and Research section of their website.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- User-friendly website with several informative blog articles
- Comprehensive and well-researched Cheat Sheet report
- Transparent privacy policy and membership guidelines
- Free email course to introduce users to genetic testing
Cons:
- The main report only provides information on five traits despite costing $130 (for non-members)
- The design of their reports isn’t as user-friendly or intuitive as their competitors.
- A medical professional does not put together or validate the reports.
Expert Verdict: Genetic Lifehacks Review
Genetic Lifehacks has a user-friendly website with a solid community across several forums.
Their email course on genetic testing helps several first-time users understand and appreciate their reports better.
However, the steep cost for non-members, the lack of coverage in reports, and the lack of medical input in each report can deter potential customers.
Who’s It For?
Genetic Lifehacks may be the right choice if you’d like to learn about a few specific traits and genes in detail instead of receiving an extensive report of dozens of traits.
Who’s It Not For?
Genetic Lifehacks may not be the right choice for you if you haven't taken a DNA test yet.
They do not offer a DNA test kit and only accept files from 23andMe and AncestryDNA.
What’s The Best Genetic Lifehacks Alternative?
Xcode Life stands apart from other genetic testing companies by providing an efficient, user-friendly, trustworthy, and secure service.
Here's a detailed side-by-side comparison of Genetic Lifehacks and Xcode Life
| Genetic Lifehacks | Xcode Life | |
| Type of genetic testing | DNA raw data analysis | DNA raw data analysis |
| Ancestry reports | Not offered | Not offered |
| Health reports | Not offered | Offered |
| Pharmacogenomic reports | Not offered | Offered |
| Raw data upload | Only from 23andMe and AncestryDNA | DNA raw data from all major providers accepted. Comprehensive list |
| Number of reports | 1 report with 5 topics | 11 |
| Price | Annual membership- $49.99 Other services - $50-$130 No bundles | Reports: $30-$50 Bundles: $160-$199 Price details |
| Sample reports | Nil | Available as detailed report walkthrough videos |
