"Up to 190 Secrets About My Body"... Banksalad Gives Its 'Genetic Testing' Service a Major Overhaul

[Financial News] Banksalad has overhauled and expanded one of its key services, genetic testing. The number of testing categories has increased from around 60 to 190.
Banksalad announced on the 17th that it had launched 'Genetic Testing 2.0,' which increases the number of genetic testing analysis categories to 190. The service analyzes an individual's genetic traits and provides information related to health, nutrition, exercise, skin and hair, and eating habits.
Demand has remained strong since the service was launched at the end of 2021, with the first-come, first-served applications for free testing, offered daily, closing shortly after opening each time. The service was officially launched in January 2022.
The revamped service significantly expands the number of testing categories. In addition to the 63 categories in Stage 1, 32 categories in Stage 2 and 95 categories in Stage 3 have been added. This brings the total number of analyzable categories to 190, the largest number among direct-to-consumer genetic testing services in South Korea.
Through the test, users can identify traits in which they rank near the top compared with a Korean genomic database and see how many more such traits they have than the average. The service also adds an engaging feature that lets users collect rare traits as 'Superpower' cards.
The categories added in Stages 2 and 3 focus on areas closely related to everyday health management. Users can check health indicators such as blood pressure and cholesterol; skin-related traits such as wrinkles, age spots, and skin moisture content; conditions and sensitivities such as lactose intolerance and nut reactions; and personal characteristics such as heart rate.
The company has also minimized inconvenience during the testing process. Because the service uses the sample collected during Stage 1, users who have undergone genetic testing recently do not need to have a kit delivered, provide another sample, or return anything. They only need to apply through the Banksalad app. However, those who took the test before July last year must provide a new sample for the revamped genetic testing service.
Banksalad is offering discounts to mark the overhaul of its genetic testing service. Purchases made through the Banksalad app receive a 55% discount on the basic genetic test and discounts of at least 60% on each of the Stage 2 and Stage 3 tests.
A Banksalad official said, "It is a service that has led the popularization of data-driven health management by making genetic data easy and familiar to access," adding, "Going forward, we will build the foundation for customers to better understand themselves and manage their finances and health rationally through data and technology, extending beyond finance to health."

[email protected] Kim Tae-il Reporter