What is an imputed genotype?

Researchers have found that certain changes in a gene are usually inherited in segments. Thus, they can impute, or give a statistical guess, as to what your genotype is for other SNPs in a gene.

Some of the imputation algorithms are pretty accurate – 98% or more.  But that still leaves a 1-2% chance that the imputed genotype is incorrect. 

For researchers who are using large datasets of genotypes, the imputed accuracy is good enough for making research discoveries. However, for an individual looking for the unique reason why they have a health issue, that 2% chance that the imputed data is wrong could send you down the wrong path.

Genetic Lifehacks doesn't impute your genotype and instead only shows what is in your sequenced data file.