You&#8217;re more than just your genetics; insights from DNA testing can help add dimensions to your family history, ancestors, and sometimes distant connections to populations worldwide.



When exploring those connections, you need a trusted guide like 23andMe. 23andMe&#8217;s Ancestry Service offers the most comprehensive genetic ancestry breakdown on the market, with more than 3,500 geographic regions, reports on traits, Neanderthal Ancestry, your Ancestry Timeline, ancient maternal and paternal lineages, and more. The Ancestry Service also offers access to our pioneering DNA Relative Finder tool, 23andMe&#8217;s automatic family tree builder, and more than 30 trait reports, with insights into hair and eye color, taste preferences, and facial characteristics.



In this post, we&#8217;ll tell you a little about what you can learn using the 23andMe Ancestry Service.&nbsp; Oh, and in case you didn&#8217;t know, 23andMe is also the only DNA ancestry service that allows you to upgrade to include FDA-authorized health reports anytime.



So, let&#8217;s look at 23andMe&#8217;s Ancestry Service. And just a heads up before you dive in, it also happens to be a great time to do so. Now through October 15, 2024, we have our lowest price of the year on the 23andMe Ancestry Service for customers in the United States at just $59. Learn more <a href="https://www.23andme.com/">here</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ancestry-composition">Ancestry Composition</h2>



Like everything at 23andMe, it all starts with science and a touch of wonder.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="1008" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/71Su-aPJvtL._AC_SL1500_-1024x1008.jpg" alt="An image of a customers Ancestry composition on a mobile phone," class="wp-image-33273" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/71Su-aPJvtL._AC_SL1500_-1024x1008.jpg 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/71Su-aPJvtL._AC_SL1500_-300x295.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/71Su-aPJvtL._AC_SL1500_-768x756.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/71Su-aPJvtL._AC_SL1500_-880x867.jpg 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/71Su-aPJvtL._AC_SL1500_-1180x1162.jpg 1180w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/71Su-aPJvtL._AC_SL1500_.jpg 1500w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Here&#8217;s a fascinating fact: your DNA is not just a blueprint for what makes you you; it&#8217;s also a record of your ancestors&#8217; geographic origins.



<a href="https://www.23andme.com/ancestry-composition-guide/">23andMe&#8217;s Ancestry Composition</a> helps you visualize your ancestral origins. 23andMe compares thousands of sections of DNA across your genome to an ever-expanding library of reference populations. Then, we use those comparisons to assign a closely matching reference population for each of those sections of your DNA, and then we tally them up. That allows our Ancestry Composition tool to break down the percentages of your DNA that link to different populations from Asia, Europe, the Americas, or Africa.



We arrange this breakdown into a hierarchy. At the top is the continent level, which is then broken down into the region, country, and local levels. That breakdown is all plotted on a map to help you visualize where your DNA is from.&nbsp;



The Ancestry Composition report also shows specific Genetic Groups you match with, which may reveal connections to specific cultural, ethnic, or linguistic groups such as Germany’s historically Swabian-speaking communities, people from Italy’s Monregalese region, the Maya peoples of Mesoamerica, Native Americans from the Pacific Northwest, the Ashanti people from what is now Ghana, historical Sephardic Jewish communities of northeastern Mexico, and so much more.&nbsp;



Over the last few years, 23andMe has updated the granularity of results for customers with ancestral lines from around the world. Read about our recent updates here:<a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/new-genetic-groups-for-japan-and-scandinavia"> Japan &amp; Scandinavia</a>,<a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/germanic-europe-genetic-groups"> Germanic Europe</a>,<a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/23andme-improves-ancestry-results-for-people-with-south-american-levantine-sephardic-and-mizrahi-genetic-ancestry"> South America, and the Levant</a>,<a href="https://blog.23andme.com/ancestry-reports/african-ethnolinguistic-groups/"> African ancestry</a>,<a href="https://blog.23andme.com/ancestry-reports/ancestry-composition-update-china/"> Chinese ancestry,</a><a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/23andme-adds-more-detail-for-indigenous-caribbean-ancestry"> Indigenous Caribbean ancestry,</a><a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/23andme-adds-more-detail-for-spanish-and-portuguese-ancestry"> Spanish and Portuguese ancestry,</a><a href="https://blog.23andme.com/ancestry-reports/indigenous-genetic-ancestry/"> Indigenous American ancestry</a>, and<a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/23andme-adds-more-detail-for-customers-with-british-and-irish-ancestry"> British and Irish ancestry</a>.



23andMe customers can see their<a href="https://you.23andme.com/reports/ancestry_composition_hd/"> Ancestry Composition here</a>.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ancestry-timeline">Ancestry Timeline</h2>



23andMe&#8217;s ancestry reports sometimes reveal surprises. You might find hidden African or Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry, for instance. But 23andMe&#8217;s ancestry reports often augment what many of us already know about our heritage.



<figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="750" height="1208" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Ancestry-Timeline.jpg" alt="An image of 23andMe's Ancestry Timeline Feature on a mobile phone." class="wp-image-33323" style="width:295px;height:auto" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Ancestry-Timeline.jpg 750w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Ancestry-Timeline-186x300.jpg 186w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Ancestry-Timeline-636x1024.jpg 636w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Ancestry-Timeline-546x880.jpg 546w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Ancestry-Timeline-733x1180.jpg 733w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px" /></figure>



Information gleaned from 23andMe&#8217;s Ancestry Service can sharply illuminate family lore passed down from those who came before. For instance, the <a href="https://www.23andme.com/dna-ancestry/#toc-timeline">Ancestry Timeline feature</a> uses statistical methodologies to estimate how many generations ago your most recent ancestor from a specific population likely lived. The Ancestry Timeline allows customers to go back seven or more generations to discover how their unique ancestral tapestry was woven together.



So, it might indicate how recently your ancestor lived and who had 100 percent Nigerian, Spanish, or Portuguese ancestry. This can sometimes clarify our family histories, offering a more vivid connection to past generations.



In addition, connecting to at least one parent using 23andMe can tell you what ancestry you inherited from your mother and what came from your father. For instance, you can see whether a small percentage of Italian ancestry comes from your mother&#8217;s or your father&#8217;s side.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-family-tree">Family Tree</h2>



23andMe&#8217;s Ancestry Service also includes a <a href="https://www.23andme.com/topics/ancestry/a-family-tree/">Family Tree</a> that automatically builds a tree highlighting your close DNA relationships that are part of DNA Relatives.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-medium is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="195" height="300" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Family-Tree-Mobile-195x300.jpg" alt="An image of 23andMe's Family Tree on a mobile phone." class="wp-image-33291" style="width:286px;height:auto" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Family-Tree-Mobile-195x300.jpg 195w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Family-Tree-Mobile-768x1179.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Family-Tree-Mobile-667x1024.jpg 667w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Family-Tree-Mobile-573x880.jpg 573w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Family-Tree-Mobile-769x1180.jpg 769w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Family-Tree-Mobile.jpg 946w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 195px) 100vw, 195px" /></figure>



Customers can also manually add people who are not 23andMe customers or are not part of 23andMe DNA Relatives. It&#8217;s easy, convenient, and just a click away. To start your Family Tree, opt into DNA Relatives. This allows you to see and be seen by your genetic relatives on 23andMe. Then, the Family Tree’s algorithm populates a tree in one go with your predicted genetic relatives, so you can get a head start figuring out whether cousins and other relatives are on your mom’s or dad’s side of the family.



With an updated algorithm, 23andMe&#8217;s Family Tree predicts connections to your genetic relatives, so you don&#8217;t have to start from scratch. It&#8217;s a simple way for customers to explore their family ties, whether they are relatives they already know about or new ones. The hope is that the tool&#8217;s simplicity will help customers understand different family connections.



The joy of using 23andMe’s Ancestry Service is that it can introduce people to new relatives. With the simple Family Tree feature, you can see how these DNA relatives relate to you and where they are on your Family Tree.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dna-relatives">DNA Relatives</h2>



23andMe&#8217;s Ancestry Service connects people.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="957" height="1024" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/61EhXFDmQL._AC_SL1500_-957x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-33274" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/61EhXFDmQL._AC_SL1500_-957x1024.jpg 957w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/61EhXFDmQL._AC_SL1500_-280x300.jpg 280w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/61EhXFDmQL._AC_SL1500_-768x822.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/61EhXFDmQL._AC_SL1500_-822x880.jpg 822w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/61EhXFDmQL._AC_SL1500_-1102x1180.jpg 1102w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/61EhXFDmQL._AC_SL1500_.jpg 1121w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 957px) 100vw, 957px" /></figure>



Along with discovering more about their heritage, 23andMe offers customers the opportunity to choose to connect with other<a href="https://www.23andme.com/dna-ancestry/#toc-family"> customers with whom they share DNA</a>.



<a href="https://www.23andme.com/dna-ancestry/#dnarelatives">23andMe&#8217;s DNA Relatives</a> tool looks at overlapping chromosome segments to help customers find or connect with close and distant relatives. For customers who choose to participate in DNA Relatives, it is optional; you must opt in to participate and can opt out of participating at any time. You can use it to help find new relatives in their family or reconnect with cousins.



The tool — which our scientists continue refining and improving— helps customers find new relatives and see how they are genetically connected. DNA Relatives allows customers to sort their relatives based on location, family names, how closely they are related, or the number of DNA segments they share. For DNA Relatives with whom you are sharing, you can also learn more about your genetic relationship by seeing a prediction of how you are related — such as via a second great-grandfather or great-grandmother.&nbsp;&nbsp;



If customers choose to participate in DNA Relatives, they can begin a conversation to learn together about their shared family histories.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-haplogroups">Haplogroups</h2>



Adding another dimension to those family connections, 23andMe also offers customers a chance to trace their maternal — and, in some cases, paternal — haplogroups.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="396" height="698" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Haplogroup-Image.png" alt="" class="wp-image-33324" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Haplogroup-Image.png 396w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Haplogroup-Image-170x300.png 170w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 396px) 100vw, 396px" /></figure>



We say ‘some cases’ because the paternal haplogroup report only applies to genetically male people (individuals with a Y chromosome) or females whose close paternal male relatives (such as a father or brother) have tested on 23andMe. This is because paternal haplogroup assignments are made by tracing a person’s Y chromosome, which genetically female people do not inherit. That’s why the paternal haplogroup assignments are only available for some customers.



As our ancestors branched off into groups that migrated first throughout Africa and then out of Africa, genetic variants arose in those diverse groups, allowing us to trace lineages that descended from a common ancestor.



Maternal<a href="https://blog.23andme.com/23andme-and-you/23andmes-updated-maternal-haplogroup-report/"> haplogroups</a>, traced through users’ mitochondrial DNA, follow a customer&#8217;s maternal line and paternal haplogroups follow the path of the paternal line. Those haplogroups can offer customers insight into their place in the human story and, in some cases, meaningful<a href="https://www.23andme.com/dna-ancestry/#toc-map"> insight into their heritage</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-neanderthal-ancestry-report">Neanderthal Ancestry Report</h2>



23andMe&#8217;s Ancestry Service doesn&#8217;t just help you add to your family story. It connects you to the human story, including your genetic connection to our ancient human cousins, the Neanderthals.



Even though Neanderthals vanished about 40,000 years ago, their DNA lives on in us. 23andMe’s Neanderthal Ancestry report can show you how much your ancestry traces back to Neanderthals using SNPs across all your autosomes and X chromosome(s).



Looking back can be both fun and enlightening because your DNA offers a biological record that can reveal ancestral connections to a time when modern humans first migrated from Africa and encountered our early human cousins, the Neanderthals.



Using advanced science, our team of population geneticists, engineers, and designers built a fun and engaging feature. The Neanderthal Ancestry Report also shows whether you have more or fewer Neanderthal variants than other 23andMe customers and what traits could be influenced by your Neanderthal DNA variants, such as your likelihood of feeling angry when hungry or “hangry.”



Scientists still uncover what these early connections mean, the traits we may carry because of those encounters, and what other ancient human DNA may still linger in our genome.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-traits">Traits</h2>



Exploring your DNA offers deeper insight into more than just your ancestral origins and DNA relatives. It can also tell you about different traits that make you, you.&nbsp;&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="957" height="1024" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/61AULupuf2L._AC_SL1500_-957x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-33276" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/61AULupuf2L._AC_SL1500_-957x1024.jpg 957w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/61AULupuf2L._AC_SL1500_-280x300.jpg 280w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/61AULupuf2L._AC_SL1500_-768x822.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/61AULupuf2L._AC_SL1500_-822x880.jpg 822w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/61AULupuf2L._AC_SL1500_-1103x1180.jpg 1103w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/61AULupuf2L._AC_SL1500_.jpg 1125w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 957px) 100vw, 957px" /></figure>



The Ancestry Service includes more than 30 Traits Reports. Our Traits Reports are a fun way to explore how your DNA makes you unique, from your food preferences, like whether you enjoy salty versus sweet snacks, to physical features, like whether you are more or less likely to have cheek dimples, a unibrow, or freckles.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-with-23andme-premium-nbsp">More with 23andMe+ Premium&nbsp;</h2>



23andMe&#8217;s Ancestry Service includes innovative and scientifically robust features, more than 3,500 geographic regions, interactive features and ways to explore your connections to DNA Relatives. 



The Ancestry Service also opens the door to exploring your genetics further. You can seamlessly upgrade to <a href="https://www.23andme.com/membership/">23andMe+ Premium</a>, for more additional ancestry features, like Historical MatchesSM, advanced DNA Relative filters, and access to more DNA Relatives. You get all that as well as more insights into your health.



Are you still waiting to be a customer? Find out more about 23andMe&#8217;s Ancestry Service<a href="https://www.23andme.com/dna-ancestry/"> here</a>, or <a href="https://www.23andme.com/membership/">23andMe+ Premium here.</a>

23andMe Blog

23andMe Blog Team

Explore 23andMe’s Ancestry Service

As our stress and anxiety ramp up, many of us turn to food for solace.



This kind of emotional eating is common. There isn’t a good estimate on the prevalence of emotional eating, but many 23andMe customers who consented to research say they’re “emotional eaters.” Data from the<a href="https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/stress/2013/highlights"> American Psychological Association</a> indicates that about 27 percent of adults in the United States report eating to manage stress often. When stressed, people reach for highly caloric fatty “comfort foods” or sweets.



Why we do this is complicated and involves several factors, including the promotion and availability of junk food or highly caloric food in our society. However, some of the reasons we reach for those foods during times of high emotion or stress have to do with our genetics.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="449" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Diet-Exercise-istock-1024x449.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-27549" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Diet-Exercise-istock-1024x449.jpg 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Diet-Exercise-istock-300x132.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Diet-Exercise-istock-768x337.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Diet-Exercise-istock-880x386.jpg 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Diet-Exercise-istock-1180x518.jpg 1180w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Diet-Exercise-istock.jpg 1545w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-new-emotional-eating-wellness-report">The New Emotional Eating Wellness Report</h2>



23andMe+ Premium’s new Emotional Eating report* calculates one’s genetic likelihood of frequent emotional eating using a statistical model known as polygenic risk scores (PRS). The report uses an individual’s genetic results at many genetic markers, along with their genetic ancestry and birth sex, to estimate the likelihood of frequent emotional eating.&nbsp;



“Many people experience emotional eating from time to time, but when emotional eating becomes extreme, it can be a problem, causing weight gain and potentially contributing to health problems like high cholesterol and diabetes,” said Noura Abul-Husn, MD, PhD, Vice President of Genomic Health at 23andMe. “Knowing a person’s genetic likelihood for experiencing emotional eating can help them identify new strategies early on, like removing unhealthy foods from their pantries or finding enjoyable alternatives like going on a walk. We hope this report can help provide an added resource for those who may experience emotional eating.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-about-emotional-eating">More About Emotional Eating</h2>



Emotional eating is not a health or mental condition or something that is clinically diagnosed and treated. However,<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36904172/"> research</a> has found that mental health conditions, especially depression and anxiety, are major causes of emotional eating.



While emotional eating does not in itself lead to obesity, when the behavior becomes habitual, it is associated with obesity. For some who are using food to satiate an “emotional hunger” due to anxiety or stress, emotional eating makes them feel good at the moment. But it is often followed by guilt, shame, or even feeling physically uncomfortable.



A healthy lifestyle is the primary intervention, but counseling can also be essential to controlling emotional eating when it becomes a problem. Removing hard-to-resist food and understanding when reaching for food because of stress instead of hunger are good first steps to controlling emotional eating.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-learn-more">Learn More</h2>



The Emotional Eating PRS report was developed by 23andMe scientists and clinical experts using data from 23andMe’s customers who consented to participate in research.



A published<a href="https://permalinks.23andme.com/pdf/23_25-PRSMethodology.pdf"> white paper </a>fully details the science and methodology behind 23andMe’s PRS technology. While genetic factors may play a role, they do not account for all factors that could impact a person’s likelihood of experiencing emotional eating.



To learn more about the new Emotional Eating report and how to become a 23andMe+ Premium member, visit:<a href="https://www.23andme.com/membership/"> https://www.23andme.com/membership/</a>.



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



* The 23andMe Emotional Eating PRS report is based on a genetic model that includes data and insights from 23andMe consented research participants and incorporates more than 2,000 genetic variants to provide information on the likelihood of developing emotional eating. The report does not describe a person’s overall likelihood, does not account for lifestyle or family history and has not been reviewed by the US Food and Drug Administration. The Emotional Eating PRS report is not intended to tell you anything about your current state of health, or to be used to make medical decisions or determine any treatment.

The Genetics of Emotional Eating: Understanding Stress-Fueled Food Cravings

Your health isn&#8217;t about one test, one exam, or one doctor&#8217;s visit. Your health is the sum total of all that you do, all that you experience, all that you inherit, and all that makes you, you.



With that in mind, we created our most comprehensive offering yet. <a href="https://www.23andme.com/total-health/?utm_source=23andme&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=US_th_brand_prs">23andMe+ Total Health&#8482;</a> is a longevity platform with the tools necessary to age to your fullest potential. With exome sequencing, blood biomarker analysis, Biological Age, and expert clinician oversight — Total Health helps you architect your healthiest life. It offers personalized, preventive care that is largely unavailable in today’s traditional healthcare system.



“Longevity isn’t about living more years,” said Noura Abul-Husn, MD, Ph.D. and Vice President of Genomic Health at 23andMe. “It’s about living more healthy years. And the key to doing that is within us.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-actionable-exome-sequencing">Actionable Exome Sequencing</h2>



Total Health begins with clinician-ordered exome sequencing* and interpretation of 100+ genes linked to more than 55 health conditions, including various types of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, metabolic, kidney, and neurological conditions. These include genes deemed the most &#8216;medically actionable&#8217; by the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics. The information from exome sequencing can be used for early detection or clinical interventions to help prevent or manage these conditions.



For most of 23andMe&#8217;s offerings, we use genotyping, a very efficient, fast, and accurate way to look at specific spots in the genome where differences influence health risks** and traits. In contrast, exome sequencing looks at the full sequence of sections of DNA. You can sequence a short piece, the entire genome, or parts of it, like the &#8220;exome.&#8221; The exome is the portion of the genome that provides the blueprint for protein creation and contains most of the known genetic variants that cause disease.&nbsp;



With exome sequencing, Total Health analyzes 200x more disease-causing variants than genotyping.**** These conditions are missed in traditional clinical settings and may be preventable with early detection.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-don-t-guess-test-with-biannual-blood-labs">Don’t Guess, Test with Biannual Blood Labs</h2>



Pairing genetic information with biannual blood testing gives Total Health members dynamic biomarker data to track changes over time. Without that kind of tracking, you&#8217;re often left guessing whether the actions you take have an impact. What’s more, with 70 percent of clinical decisions relying on blood tests and lab data, according to the <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/csels/dls/strengthening-clinical-labs.html">Centers for Disease Control Division of Laboratory Systems</a>, it’s more important than ever to get it right.&nbsp;



Total Health&#8217;s blood panels examine more than 55 different biomarkers. These panels offer insight into blood sugar and cholesterol changes and look at kidney, liver, and thyroid function. For example, Total Health members learn their lipoprotein(a) and apolipoprotein B (ApoB) levels, which are rarely tested cholesterol markers related to heart disease. The labs also look at such things as hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), which is crucial in determining one&#8217;s risk of diabetes. Other biomarkers are analyzed to examine lipids, liver enzymes, electrolytes, and blood cells.



By including these tests twice yearly, Total Health members can track results and see leading indicators for cardiovascular disease, metabolic conditions, and more.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-biological-age-age-with-health">Biological Age: Age with Health</h2>



Your chronological or calendar age doesn&#8217;t necessarily reflect your body&#8217;s true health state, which is at the heart of Total Health’s Biological Age feature. A critical component in understanding longevity, Biological Age reveals your “true” age based on how your body functions.



Total Health members can use this feature to calculate their biological age using blood-based biomarkers. This feature reveals your age based on how your body functions, offering opportunities to take healthy actions. While you can&#8217;t change your birthdate, you can take steps to lower your biological age. Biannual blood tests, part of Total Health, help track that progress.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-total-health-with-a-clinician-by-your-side">Total Health with a Clinician by Your Side</h2>



Genetics provides the foundation for Total Health, and blood biomarkers and Biological Age add dynamic data to gauge current health progress. To maximize the effectiveness of this sophisticated health data, clinicians trained in genetics-informed care guide members on their health journey.



Total Health clinicians create an actionable health plan based on each member’s unique results and deliver it via in-depth virtual consultation. These clinicians can also be reached at any time via direct messaging.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-total-health-and-much-more">Total Health and Much More</h2>



Along with exome sequencing, blood biomarker analysis, Biological Age, and access to specially trained clinicians, Total Health members also have complete access to all health and ancestry reports, including 23andMe+ Premium&#8217;s advanced features and FDA-authorized health reports**. 



This includes access to pharmacogenetics reports, which analyze how genetics may impact the processing of certain medications*****. In addition, Total Health members receive polygenic risk score reports***, which use proprietary statistical models developed by 23andMe scientists to calculate the likelihood of developing breast, prostate, or colorectal cancer and other conditions such as high blood pressure, asthma, and anxiety.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-23-chromosome-pairs-55-blood-biomarkers-200x-more-answers">23 Chromosome Pairs, 55 Blood Biomarkers, 200x More Answers</h2>



In 2023, 23andMe launched Total Health as the first of its health memberships to provide comprehensive health analysis. This month, we’re launching a refreshed Total Health with full capabilities and an easy upgrade path for current U.S. customers tested on our <a href="https://customercare.23andme.com/hc/en-us/articles/218392668-Upgrading-to-23andMe-s-Newest-Chip-Version">V5 genotyping chip</a>. Learn more about longevity with Total Health <a href="https://www.23andme.com/total-health/?utm_source=23andme&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=US_th_brand_prs">here</a>.



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* Exome Sequencing and blood testing services are available to eligible customers upon completion of the intake questionnaire, which must be reviewed, approved, and ordered by a third-party clinician. Exome Sequencing is analyzed by a CLIA—and CAP-accredited laboratory. Blood testing is completed by Quest Diagnostics. All telehealth services are provided under the Telehealth Terms and Consent to Telehealth.



** The 23andMe PGS test includes health predisposition and carrier status reports. Health predisposition reports include reports that meet FDA requirements for genetic health risks and reports based on 23andMe research and have not been reviewed by the FDA. The test uses qualitative genotyping to detect select clinically relevant variants in the genomic DNA of adults from saliva to report and interpret genetic health risks and report carrier status. It is not intended to diagnose any disease. Your ethnicity may affect the relevance of each report and how your genetic health risk results are interpreted. Each genetic health risk report describes if a person has variants associated with a higher risk of developing a disease but does not describe a person’s overall risk of developing the disease. The test is not intended to tell you anything about your current state of health or to be used to make medical decisions, including whether or not you should take a medication, how much of a medication you should take, or determine any treatment. Our carrier status reports can be used to determine carrier status but cannot determine if you have two copies of any genetic variant. These carrier reports are not intended to tell you anything about your risk for developing a disease in the future, the health of your fetus, or your newborn child&#8217;s risk of developing a particular disease later in life. For certain conditions, we provide a single report that includes information on both carrier status and genetic health risk. Results should be confirmed in a clinical setting before taking any medical action. For important information and limitations regarding each genetic health risk and carrier status report, visit <a href="http://23andme.com/test-info/">23andme.com/test-info/</a>



*** The 23andMe PRS reports are based on a genetic model that includes data and insights from 23andMe consented research and incorporates thousands of genetic variants to describe if a person has a certain likelihood of developing a condition but does not describe a person’s overall likelihood. The PRS reports do not account for lifestyle or family history and have not been reviewed by the US Food and Drug Administration. The PRS reports are not intended to tell you anything about your current state of health or to be used to make medical decisions or determine any treatment.



Our SLCO1B1 Pharmacogenetics report provides certain information about variants associated with the processing of some therapeutics and provides interpretive drug information regarding the potential effect of simvastatin therapy. Our DPYD Pharmacogenetics report does not describe the association between detected variants and any specific therapeutic. Results for&nbsp; DPYD and certain CYP2C19 results should be confirmed by an independent genetic test prescribed by your own healthcare provider before taking any medical action.&nbsp; Warning: Test information should not be used to start, stop, or change any course of treatment and does not test for all possible variants that may affect metabolism or protein function. The PGS test is not a substitute for visits to a healthcare professional. Making changes to your current regimen can lead to harmful side effects or reduced intended benefits of your medication, therefore consult with your healthcare professional before taking any medical action. For important information and limitations regarding Pharmacogenetic reports, visit <a href="http://www.23andme.com/test-info">www.23andme.com/test-info</a>.



****Our genotyping product detects 250 health-related variants in our Carrier Status and Genetic Health Risk reports. The Exome Sequencing reports detect 50,000+ hereditary disease-causing variants.



*****23andMe PGS Pharmacogenetics reports: The 23andMe test uses qualitative genotyping to detect 3 variants in the CYP2C19 gene, 2 variants in the DPYD gene, and 1 variant in the SLCO1B1 gene in the genomic DNA of adults from saliva to report and interpret information about the processing of certain therapeutics to inform discussions with a healthcare professional. It does not describe if a person will or will not respond to a particular therapeutic. Our CYP2C19 Pharmacogenetics report provides certain information about variants associated with the metabolism of some therapeutics and provides interpretive drug information regarding the potential effect of citalopram and clopidogrel therapy.

23andMe+ Total Health Equals More

Hikers found his body 30 years ago lodged in the ice, still clad in his leather pants, with a flint blade tucked into a wicker sheath, his copper ax, arrows, and bow strewn about him. Adorning his skin were 61 tattoos, and lodged into his left shoulder was the arrowhead that ultimately killed him.



He was nicknamed Ötzi the Iceman because of the location where his 5,300 year-old mummified body was found in the Tyrolean Alps along the border of Italy and Austria. Ötzi’s life and death have intrigued scientists since being found on September 19th, 1991. Recently, Ötzi’s genome offered additional insights into life in ancient Europe after researchers conducted a more<a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666979X2300174X"> in-depth sequencing of his DNA</a> in 2023.



<figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-medium"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="225" height="300" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Ricostruzione_di_Otzi-225x300.jpg" alt="An image of a life like model of Otzi on dislay at the Otzi museum in Bolzano Italy." class="wp-image-33345" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Ricostruzione_di_Otzi-225x300.jpg 225w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Ricostruzione_di_Otzi-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Ricostruzione_di_Otzi-660x880.jpg 660w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Ricostruzione_di_Otzi-885x1180.jpg 885w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Ricostruzione_di_Otzi.jpg 1024w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A model of Otzi displayed at the Ötzi at museum in Bolzano, Italy. Photo by: Manuel Tassi (Mannivu)</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-historical-matches">Historical Matches</h2>



In honor of this new study and the 33rd anniversary of the Ötzi’s discovery, <a href="https://www.23andme.com/membership/">&nbsp;23andMe+ Premium</a> members using<a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/23andmes-historic-matches"> “Historical Matches”</a> can now learn if they might be connected to Ötzi through their DNA. Ötzi’s genome indicates he likely had darker skin, brown eyes, and was balding and that he was genetically related to the waves of people who migrated into Europe from Anatolia during the Neolithic Period (starting around 7000 BCE) and brought with them their knowledge of farming.



Historical Matches allows members to determine if they are connected to Ötzi or Beethoven or one of more than 450 other lesser-known historical people across the globe. The technology works by identifying places in your genome where you share identical DNA, inherited from a shared ancestor—possibly one who lived long before you or your historical match—creating a new way to learn more about your connections to the past. 23andMe will continue to add figures like Ötzi as they are published, offering customers more opportunities to connect their stories to past epochs. 



“We are connecting you to real people from real places and times in history who had real lives,” said<a href="https://youtu.be/9pKN4WGvLq4?si=hYnLC6yONV9Nn1lC"> Éadaoin Harney, Ph.D., a 23andMe population geneticist</a> and an expert on ancient DNA who was instrumental in creating the Historical Matches feature. “These are real genetic connections, so we want to tell you the real stories of those individuals.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-otzi-s-genome">Ötzi’s Genome</h2>



Ötzi’s story ended with his death at the hands of another. But discovering his body and all he carried offers scientists a rare glimpse into the people who lived in Europe during the Copper Age (5000-2000 BCE). It’s rare to find a body so well preserved from that long ago–more than a thousand years before the ancient Egyptians began practicing mummification.



Ötzi’s genetic information also offers some surprises for scientists. His closest genetic relatives are not the present-day people of the Tyrolean area. Instead, he is most closely related to the inhabitants of Sardinia, an island off the coast of Italy. That’s not because Ötzi was Sardinian. Instead, it is because of the unique history of the inhabitants of this Mediterranean island, and early human migration.



There were three primary waves of early human settlers in Europe, early hunter-gatherers, farmers from Anatolia, and herders from the Eurasian Steppe. The first hunter-gatherers were the first to arrive in the region over 10,000 years ago. Later, during the Neolithic period (starting around 7000 BCE), farmers from Anatolia migrated into the area. This group mixed with the local hunter-gatherer population. Then, during the Bronze Age (around 3000–2500 BCE), herders from the Eurasian Steppe migrated into the region. They brought Indo-European languages with them. 



Over time, these three genetically distinct populations mixed. Most present-day European populations descend from all three groups. However, the final migration of Steppe herders didn’t make it as far as Sardinia.  Thus, the genetic makeup of present-day<a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-020-14523-6#:~:text=These%20events%20are%20typically%20modeled,aDNA%20data%20from%20the%20island."> Sardinians most closely resembles that of the early European farmers</a>. 



Ötzi lived in Europe before the Steppe migration. His genetics led researchers to believe he likely belonged to one of the early European farming populations, which explains why he appears most genetically similar to present-day Sardinians.  



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-find-out-more">Find out more</h2>



Many 23andMe customers will learn that they share a genetic connection to Ötzi via this shared ancient European farmer ancestry. 



Connected or not, we&#8217;ve all learned more about human history through the discovery of his body and what he left behind. You can now visit a<a href="https://www.iceman.it/en/the-iceman/"> museum in Bolzano, Italy, dedicated to Ötzi</a>. There, you can learn more about his life and the insights gleaned from the discovery of his body.



<figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-medium"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="197" height="300" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Phone_Historical-Matches-197x300.jpg" alt="A view of a Historical Match with a Viking Woman on an mobile phone screen." class="wp-image-32706" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Phone_Historical-Matches-197x300.jpg 197w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Phone_Historical-Matches.jpg 459w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 197px) 100vw, 197px" /></figure>



Access to Historical Matches is among the many compelling reasons to <a href="https://www.23andme.com/membership/">join 23andMe+ Premium</a>.



 <a href="https://you.23andme.com/historical-matches/">Join 23andMe+</a> (requires 23andMe account).

Are You Related to Ötzi the Iceman?

September is Sickle Cell Awareness Month, which offers us another chance to highlight some of the work 23andMe and its collaborators have done over the years.



Earlier this month, researchers from 23andMe,<a target="_blank" href="https://www.nih.gov/" rel="noreferrer noopener"> the the National Institutes of Health</a>, and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/som/" rel="noreferrer noopener">Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine</a> published new data on the association between sickle cell trait and blood clots. The new findings highlight the importance of this ongoing research and our overall efforts to illuminate this condition.



At 23andMe, knowledge is power, and understanding risks offers people opportunities to mitigate them.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-awareness-and-research">Awareness and Research</h2>



But more than that, 23andMe also offers a unique research model that allows individuals to learn about their genetic likelihood of developing a condition and participate in innovative genetic research that could potentially find new treatments.



As part of our <a href="http://www.23andme.com/sickle-cell" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sickle Cell Carrier Status Awareness Program</a>, 23andMe has collaborated with academics and advocacy organizations to increase <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/sickle-cell-awareness-2">understanding of sickle cell</a>. In addition, we’re providing resources for those with sickle cell trait and sickle cell disease. With the help of the<a href="https://www.sicklecellga.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia, Inc. (SCFG)</a>,<a href="https://www.btsscycle.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Breaking the SSickle Cell Cycle</a>,<a href="https://www.sc101.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Sickle Cell 101</a>, and the<a href="https://www.msm.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Morehouse School of Medicine</a>, we’re working with Black communities to promote awareness. 



We are not alone in this effort. Recently, the NBA, the WNBA, and Wilson Sporting Goods began the #IBall4SickleCell social media campaign to raise awareness. The groups participating in the effort are Breaking the SSickle Cell Cycle, the American Red Cross of Tennessee, and New York Presbyterian’s Dalio Center for Health Justice. Learn more about sickle cell, the campaign, and how to help<a href="https://www.sicklecellball.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> here</a>. 



From all this work and research, we have learned much about sickle cell and the people it impacts most. However, much work is still needed to improve people’s understanding of sickle cell.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-on-sickle-cell-anemia-sickle-cell-trait">More on Sickle Cell Anemia, Sickle Cell Trait</h2>



Although many people have heard of sickle cell, often they do not know the difference between sickle cell trait and sickle cell anemia.



To have sickle cell anemia, one must inherit two copies of the HbS variant in the HBB gene—one copy from each biological parent. Typical signs and symptoms include anemia, pain episodes, and frequent infection.



People with just one copy of the HbS variant are called carriers. They’re also said to have <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/sicklecell/traits.html" rel="noreferrer noopener">sickle cell trait</a>. People with sickle cell trait are not expected to have sickle cell anemia. They typically do not experience any health complications. However, in rare cases, people with the sickle cell trait may experience some health impacts. Current research, including our study, is underway to understand better and spread awareness about the complications someone with SCT may experience.



Importantly, carriers can pass their variant on to their future children. If their partner has the HbS variant or another variant in the HBB gene, there’s a 25 percent chance that each child may have sickle cell anemia or a related blood disorder.&nbsp;&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-23andme-s-sickle-cell-anemia-carrier-status-report">23andMe’s Sickle Cell Anemia Carrier Status Report**</h2>



23andMe’s<a target="_blank" href="https://www.23andme.com/topics/carrier/sickle-cell-anemia/" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Sickle Cell Anemia Carrier Status Report</a>, which meets FDA requirements for clinical and analytical validity, looks at the HbS variant in the HBB gene linked to sickle cell anemia.



Sickle cell anemia is the most severe form of sickle cell disease. Three hundred million people worldwide and one in 13 Black and African Americans in the United States have sickle cell trait, making them carriers for sickle cell anemia.



In addition to informing people if they have one copy of the HbS variant and are carriers for sickle cell anemia, <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/23andme-updates-carrier-status-report-on-sickle-cell-anemia">23andMe’s report </a>can also tell individuals if they have two copies of the tested variant and if they are at risk of developing symptoms. However, the report does not describe one’s overall risk of developing symptoms. 



Because the HbS variant is more common in certain populations, the Sickle Cell Anemia report is most relevant to people of African, Middle Eastern, and South Asian descent, as well as people from the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, and parts of Central and South America.



23andMe Health + Ancestry Service customers and 23andMe+ Premium members can see their <a target="_blank" href="https://you.23andme.com/reports/carrier.sickle_cell_anemia/" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sickle Cell Anemia report here</a>.&nbsp;



Not yet a customer? Learn more about <a target="_blank" href="https://www.23andme.com/compare-dna-tests/?_gl=1*11ns9j4*_ga*OTk4NDAyMjA3LjE3MTgzODA2MTg.*_ga_G330GF3ZFF*MTcyNTQxNDcyOS4xNjQuMS4xNzI1NDE0Nzk4LjAuMC4w" rel="noreferrer noopener">all that 23andMe offers here</a>.



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-note">Note:</h2>



**The 23andMe PGS test uses qualitative genotyping to detect select clinically relevant variants in the genomic DNA of adults to report carrier status and reporting and interpreting genetic health risks. The relevance of each report may vary based on ethnicity. Our carrier status reports can be used to determine carrier status but cannot determine if you have two copies of any genetic variant. These carrier reports are not intended to tell you anything about your risk for developing a disease in the future, the health of your fetus, or your newborn child’s risk of developing a particular disease later in life. We provide a single report for certain conditions that includes information on carrier status and genetic health risk. For important information and limitations regarding other genetic health risk reports and carrier status reports, click <a target="_blank" href="https://www.23andme.com/test-info/" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>.

An illustration for 23andMe's Sickle Cell Carrier Statues Awareness Program.

Learn More About Our Research and Collaborations During Sickle Cell Awareness Month

In the largest and most diverse genetic study of sickle cell trait, researchers from 23andMe, the National Institutes of Health, and Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine published findings linking the trait to increased risk for certain blood clots.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-blood-clotting-risks">Blood Clotting Risks</h2>



The study, published just as we begin National Sickle Cell Awareness Month, validated the association of sickle cell trait with blood clots. But to put this risk into context,<a href="https://ashpublications.org/bloodadvances/article/doi/10.1182/bloodadvances.2024014252/517723/Ancestry-Independent-Risk-of-Venous"> the study</a>, which included data from more than four million people who consented to participate in research, found that people with a genetic variant known as Factor V Leiden are at a higher risk for developing harmful blood clots or<a href="https://www.23andme.com/topics/health-predispositions/hereditary-thrombophilia/"> venous thrombosis (VTE)</a> compared to those who are carriers of <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/sickle-cell/sickle-cell-trait/index.html">sickle cell trait</a>.  



The study also looked at different types of blood clots, like deep vein thrombosis, which forms in a deep vein, like in the legs, and pulmonary emboli, which are caused by blood clots that travel to the lungs. This study validated the association between having sickle cell trait and developing pulmonary emboli. It did not find an association with developing deep vein thrombosis. The research also confirmed the association between Factor V Leiden and pulmonary emboli and deep vein thrombosis.



“This study, therefore, provides important insights about patterns of venous blood clots and suggests a unique mechanism of blood clotting in people with sickle cell trait,” said Rakhi Naik, M.D. M.H.S., clinical director for the Division of Hematology at Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, who co-led the study. “Knowing the risks of blood clots in people with sickle cell trait is important for situations such as surgeries or hospitalizations, which add to the risk of developing serious blood clots.”&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ancestry-independent-risks">Ancestry-Independent Risks</h2>



The findings published in the <a href="https://ashpublications.org/bloodadvances/article/doi/10.1182/bloodadvances.2024014252/517723/Ancestry-Independent-Risk-of-Venous">journal Blood Advances</a> are significant because the number and diversity of research participants allowed scientists to calculate “ancestry-independent” odds ratios for the risk of blood clotting among those with sickle cell trait.



More than 200,000 of the four million research participants were of African ancestry, 590,000 were of Latino ancestry, three million were of European ancestry, 150,000 were of East Asian ancestry, and 41,000 were of South Asian ancestry.



Although the trait is most common among people of African ancestry, with an estimated eight to 10 percent of African Americans having sickle cell trait, it can also affect Latinos, South Asians, and people with ancestry from southern Europe and the Middle East. More than 100 million people worldwide have sickle cell trait.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-importance-of-diversity-in-genetic-research">The Importance of Diversity in Genetic Research</h2>



Vence Bonham Jr., J.D., who co-led the study and serves as&nbsp;acting Deputy Director of the<a href="https://www.genome.gov/"> National Human Genome Research Institute</a> (NHGRI) at the<a href="https://www.nih.gov/">&nbsp; National Institutes of Health</a>, United States, said The study offers another example of the importance of using a diverse population in genetic research.



Bonham has led sickle cell disease research at the NHGRI and pushed for broader inclusion of underrepresented groups in genomics research. He’s also led the<a href="https://www.genome.gov/research-at-nhgri/Projects/Democratizing-Education"> Democratizing Education for Sickle Cell Disease Gene Therapy Project</a>, offering resources for those with sickle cell disease to better understand treatment options. In 2018, Naik and Bonham published a systematic review examining the health complications associated with sickle cell trait. This&nbsp;current study expands on that previous work by measuring the risk of developing blood clots.



“Because sickle cell trait is often associated with people who identify as Black or African&nbsp; American, it is not widely studied in other populations, which has created an information gap that may lead to unintended harm for those with sickle cell trait,” Bonham said. “In particular, the racialization of sickle cell trait has resulted in poor estimations of health risks. The results of our study will help clinicians properly contextualize the&nbsp; risk of blood clots amongst people with sickle cell trait without unintended bias.”



Too often, the blood clotting risks associated with sickle cell trait are assumed to be relevant only to people of African ancestry. In contrast, the risks associated with Factor V Leiden are thought to only be relevant to those of European ancestry, said Julie Granka, PhD, a Principal Scientist at 23andMe and a co-author of the paper.



That kind of bias can also lead to harmful assumptions about blood clotting.



“Our findings demonstrate that sickle cell trait is present in people of many different ancestries and confers similar risks for blood clotting,” Granka said. “This study can provide clinicians with valuable information for guidance for individuals who have sickle cell trait &#8212; both across ancestries, as well as in comparison to Factor V Leiden, where more guidance exists.”&nbsp;



The new research also replicates some of the health risks associated with having sickle cell trait found in other studies, specifically the association with pulmonary emboli.



The size and scale of this study, compared to past research that included data from just a few thousand individuals, allowed researchers to provide more precise risk estimates within different populations. Moving forward with this ongoing work, the researchers are currently looking at the risk of blood clots for sickle cell trait carriers during pregnancy.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-raising-awareness-of-sickle-cell-trait">Raising Awareness of Sickle Cell Trait</h2>



Having sickle cell trait means that a person has one copy of the HbS variant in the HBB gene. Unlike sickle cell anemia—a serious condition caused by having two copies of the HbS variant—people who carry just one copy of HbS do not usually have any health problems and are not at risk of developing sickle cell anemia.&nbsp;



Further research and clinical guidance are still needed to better understand the potential health risks and complications someone with sickle cell trait may experience. Knowing whether you have sickle cell trait is essential for family planning. If a person with sickle cell trait has a child with a partner who also has a variant in their HBB gene, each of their children has a 25 percent chance of having sickle cell disease.&nbsp;



Independent of this collaboration, 23andMe has collaborated on a<a href="https://www.23andme.com/sickle-cell/https:/www.23andme.com/sickle-cell-awareness-program/"> Sickle Cell Carrier Status Awareness Program</a> with the Morehouse College of Medicine, the<a href="https://www.sicklecellga.org/"> Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia</a>,<a href="https://www.sc101.org/"> Sickle Cell 101</a>, and the<a href="https://www.btsscycle.org/"> Breaking the SSickle Cell Cycle</a> Foundation. The work includes promoting awareness of sickle cell disease and offering resources for individuals with sickle cell trait and disease.



Dr. Lametra Scott, founder of Breaking the SSickle Cell Cycle and sickle cell advocate, shared about the study: &#8220;The increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) and pulmonary embolism (PE) in sickle cell trait (SCT) underscores the importance of learning one&#8217;s SCT status and the value the Sickle Cell Carrier Awareness Program brings to the community.&#8221;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-find-out-more">Find Out More</h2>



Knowing whether you have sickle cell trait is a crucial first step in family planning.



23andMe’s Health + Ancestry Service includes a<a href="https://www.23andme.com/topics/carrier/sickle-cell-anemia/"> Sickle Cell Anemia Carrier Status report.</a>* This allows participants to learn their carrier status. 23andMe’s report provides extensive information about what it means to be a sickle cell trait carrier.



In addition, 23andMe worked with the non-profit Sickle Cell 101 to offer those with questions about the condition the opportunity to seek additional information and counseling after receiving results on the largest global online platform for sickle cell education, awareness, and research.



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-note">Note:</h2>



*The 23andMe PGS test uses qualitative genotyping to detect select clinically relevant variants in the genomic DNA of adults to report carrier status and reporting and interpreting genetic health risks. The relevance of each report may vary based on ethnicity. Our carrier status reports can be used to determine carrier status, but cannot determine if you have two copies of any genetic variant. These carrier reports are not intended to tell you anything about your risk for developing a disease in the future or anything about the health of your fetus, or your newborn child’s risk of developing a particular disease later in life. For certain conditions, we provide a single report that includes information on both carrier status and genetic health risk. 



The Sickle Cell Anemia Carrier Status report is indicated for the detection of the HbS variant in the HBB gene. The report can tell you if you have two copies of the tested variant, and if you are at risk of developing symptoms of sickle cell anemia, but does not describe your overall risk of developing symptoms. The test is most relevant for people of African descent. It is also relevant for people of Middle Eastern and South Asian descent, as well as people from the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, and parts of Central and South America.



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>

New Genetic Research on Sickle Cell Trait

In the hunt for new medications where the odds are stacked against you, where fewer than one in ten drug programs succeed, you need an edge.



A new study by <a href="https://therapeutics.23andme.com/">23andMe’s Therapeutics</a> and Research teams builds upon<a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-07316-0"> previous research</a>, indicating that human genetic data offers that kind of advantage and doubles or triples the success rate of drug development. 



If you add improved gene mapping to your toolbox, as 23andMe has done for this study, the success rate improves by four or five times. Moreover, the <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/the-power-of-large-genetic-datasets">sheer scale </a>of the 23andMe data ensures that genetic insights linking a drug target to disease are available for 60 percent more drug targets than from other resources. 



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="489" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Genetic-Driven-Drug-Discovery-1024x489.png" alt="An illustration of genetic driven drug discovery from GWAS to Clinical Trials." class="wp-image-33337" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Genetic-Driven-Drug-Discovery-1024x489.png 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Genetic-Driven-Drug-Discovery-300x143.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Genetic-Driven-Drug-Discovery-768x367.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Genetic-Driven-Drug-Discovery-880x420.png 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Genetic-Driven-Drug-Discovery-1180x564.png 1180w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Traditional drug development is risky, time-consuming, and costly.<a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-019-54849-w"> Ninety percent</a> of drugs fail. All those failures add time and money to the process. That means that getting a drug approved costs, on average,<a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2762311"> about $1 billion</a> and takes more than a decade. Only about 50 new drugs are approved in an average year by the FDA. There were<a href="https://www.fda.gov/drugs/novel-drug-approvals-fda/novel-drug-approvals-2023"> 55 in 2023</a>, and so far this year, there have been 24. This is despite the billions spent each year by pharmaceutical companies on research and development for new medications.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-massive-opportunity">A Massive Opportunity</h2>



Previous work has pointed to human genetics as one way to reverse this trend, and several companies are now relying on human genetics as a starting point for drug target discovery. We now show unequivocally that using human genetic data at scale could radically change the hunt for new drugs, helping to get new medicine to people who need it faster and more efficiently. 



&#8220;There&#8217;s still a massive amount of value left utilizing human genetics for <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/drug-discovery-explained">drug development</a>,&#8221; said Adam Auton, Ph.D., Vice President of Human Genetics at 23andMe and a study co-author. &#8220;We&#8217;ve just scratched the surface, and the scale of the 23andMe dataset allows us to draw links between genes and disease that aren’t possible to find anywhere else. 23andMe continues to invest in new capabilities and computational approaches such as integrating artificial intelligence and machine learning into our discovery pipeline.&#8221;



The new study, released on<a href="https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.06.17.24309059v1"> MedRxiv</a>, a preprint server for health scientists, offers a peek behind the curtain into 23andMe&#8217;s massive and powerful therapeutic research database. In this post, we hope to highlight some of its critical findings and illustrate how using human genetic data can support drug target discovery, target validation, and target de-risking in the drug development process.



“Traditional approaches to drug development are often a gamble, where nine out of ten programs fail. But with the scale and precision of 23andMe’s human genetic data, we&#8217;re changing the odds,&#8221; said Xin Wang, PhD, a 23andMe Therapeutics Senior Scientist and the lead author of the study. 



&#8220;Our study demonstrates that leveraging genetics can double or triple success rates and, when combined with advanced gene mapping, improve success by up to fivefold. Our methods ensure we&#8217;re targeting diseases more accurately and efficiently, bringing life-saving treatments to patients faster.&#8221;



<figure class="wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-vimeo wp-block-embed-vimeo wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="Genomics Unmuted: The impact on clinical success from the 23andMe cohort" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/998331419?dnt=1&amp;app_id=122963" width="500" height="281" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture; clipboard-write"></iframe>
</div></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-size-amp-scale-why-big-is-better">Size &amp; Scale: Why Big is Better</h2>



23andMe has the world&#8217;s largest genetic and phenotypic database for therapeutic research. It&#8217;s vital to grasp the power of a resource of that scale.



For this study, 23andMe scientists used de-identified data from more than 7.5 million individuals who consented to participate in research. For perspective, that research cohort is almost twice the size of the combined total of all the major public biobanks worldwide.  Most of these biobanks number in the tens of thousands, while the largest are between 500,000 and one million. 23andMe has more than 15 million customers with genotype and phenotype information. More than 80 percent of 23andMe customers consent to participate in research and have contributed over 4 billion health and trait data points, including disease diagnosis, medication use, medication side effects, lifestyle, diet, and family health history.



Overall, the combined phenotypic and genetic data available for life sciences research from 23andMe is an order of magnitude larger than any other cohort.



The size and scale of 23andMe&#8217;s drug discovery database are critically important because they capture much more diversity. Having a diverse research database is essential for equity and because having enough data from people of different ethnicities helps discern genetic variants causing disease across these populations. Sometimes, a variant is more common in one population than in another. Including people of diverse ethnicities offers more potential to identify targets not easily identified in a more homogenous dataset.



Bigger is better because as the size of 23andMe&#8217;s database grows and as we apply new technologies like AI and machine learning to this massive dataset, researchers can find more genetic associations, leading to more potential drug targets.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gene-mapping-and-more-targets">Gene Mapping and More Targets</h2>



For example, the total number of target-indication pairs is 60 percent greater with 23andMe&#8217;s dataset than from public biobank data. A target-indication pair is the pairing of a specific condition or disease, known as ‘an indication,’ to a specific protein or biological ‘target.’ Identifying these target-indication pairs is an essential first step in drug discovery and development. As part of this study, 23andMe scientists found about 1,050 target-indication pairs for medically relevant conditions related to more than 41 disease categories, including different cancers, metabolic conditions, neurological conditions, and autoimmune diseases.



Just look at one of these conditions, asthma, to illustrate the power of size and scale. 23andMe has data for more than three million individuals within its asthma cohort — this includes those with asthma and those without the condition who are used as controls. From that cohort, researchers identified 652 significant genetic associations for asthma. For comparison, a <a href="https://www.cell.com/cell-genomics/pdf/S2666-979X(22)00165-3.pdf">2022 meta-analysis by researchers at the Broad Institute </a>included about 1.6 million individuals and identified 49 novel genetic associations among a total of 179 genetic associations found. 



The 652 significant genetic associations found for asthma is an example of one of more than 1,050 target-indication pairs for a medically relevant condition. In all, 23andMe scientists found more than 140,000 significant genetic associations for different common and rare conditions. That amounts to an average of 130 different genetic associations for each condition. In addition, those associations point to 15,007 genes associated with therapeutically relevant conditions, including 1,355 genes associated with conditions that scientists had not previously identified in public genetic studies. That amounts to about 5.9 to 18.8 novel indications per genetic association.



By adding gene mapping, scientists can more easily identify the likely causal gene for a genetic association and determine the mechanism for how a specific gene is related to a disease or condition. 23andMe researchers found that improved gene mapping methods from human genetic associations also improve relative success by four or five times. 



This is a potent tool for scientists who want more power in their work and offers a head start for those hunting for higher-confidence potential drug targets.



&#8220;The scale of the data enables me to perform studies in an afternoon at 23andMe that would have taken years in my previous academic life,&#8221; Auton once said about the research database.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-from-gene-to-drug">From Gene to Drug</h2>



Traditional target-based drug discovery often doesn’t follow a direct path like a game of chutes and ladders. There are many dead ends, much trial and error, that might force researchers to scrap one target and start with another.



With a target identified, researchers can search for a compound that will hit that target. They then must test whether it is safe and effective. It must adequately bind to a specific disease-causing target in the body and trigger the correct response without affecting other parts of the body. If the drug has no effect or triggers an adverse reaction, the effort returns to square one. Each step in the process— from identifying the right target to finding a molecule or drug that will properly bind to that target to determining if that drug elicits the right response— is a potential point of failure.



However, using human genetic data offers an edge at each point, improving the potential for success. We’ve shown how human genetics dramatically boost the identification of a potential target; it can also enhance the chances of success at further steps in the process.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-disease-subtypes">Disease Subtypes</h2>



But leveraging human genetic data isn’t just about boosting potential targets; it can also help in identifying disease subtypes and safety signals and identifying individuals best to recruit for clinical trials. Human genetic data can be used to identify disease subtypes, which may include different symptoms and progression and may also respond differently to a therapeutic. In addition, human genetic data can be used to identify safety signals, giving researchers more confidence that targeting a gene is safe. For example, with this large dataset, 23andMe researchers can identify individuals with a loss of function variant. Knowing that turning off that specific gene is not deleterious is incredibly important for drug development. Finally, researchers can use genetic data to help identify individuals for clinical trial recruitment who are most likely to respond to a therapeutic, further improving the chances for clinical trial success.



A drug target for an indication is not an actual target; it’s a potential target. Researchers must do additional work to determine if it is the right target for a specific condition. Making that determination is another crucial step that can be enhanced using human genetic data in gene mapping. Gene mapping is vital for understanding whether a potential target is relevant to a specific condition.



23andMe’s massive research data allows scientists to create a gene-mapping algorithm that, in turn, can improve the likelihood of clinical success of a drug target by four or five times, according to 23andMe’s new study. As part of this research, 23andMe scientists mapped 416 unique gene-trait associations, genes linked explicitly to about 190 different diseases or conditions.



Mapping a variant or drug target indication to a nearby gene is called “variant-to-gene mapping.” This “variant-to-gene mapping” helps researchers determine the most likely causal gene from a genetic association. Mapping that out involves using functional data—information on protein and molecular structures, data on biochemical interactions, and other data— to understand the link between a potential drug target and a specific health condition. 



Researchers use gene mapping to understand how a specific variant affects the function of a gene and its role in a disease or condition. Is it protective against a disease or condition, or is it causal? What happens if that gene expression is changed or turned on or off?



Rare variants offer another way of making these determinations because a rare variant precisely pinpoints causal genes at the point of a genetic association, something common variants don’t. In some cases, these rare variants might turn off gene expression, known as a “loss-of-function” variant. From a research standpoint, identifying these rare variants and understanding whether that loss of function is either deleterious or protective is incredibly powerful. Knowing that ahead of time gives researchers more confidence that targeting that variant is safe and or has the desired effect. One well-known example of this is a loss-of-function variant in the<a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7447476/"> PCSK9 gene that</a> lowers the level of LDL in the blood. That information has been used to develop cholesterol-lowering medications.



So, identifying rare variants offers researchers a shortcut for focusing on targets with the most promise for success. In addition, 23andMe researchers use machine learning to discern patterns in the data, match genes to diseases using genetic associations, and suggest possible useful drug candidates that match the target variants. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-human-genetic-advantage">The Human Genetic Advantage</h2>



For this research, 23andMe scientists analyzed trillions of data points to illustrate the advantage of adding human genetics in efficiently identifying drug targets, de-risking the drug development process, and dramatically boosting the probability of success.



The new study just scratches the surface of what is possible with this data resource&#8217;s vast scale and diversity. It also hints at what is possible when artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques are applied to this powerful human genetic database for drug discovery. 



“In an industry where just one in ten drugs make it to patients, the potential impact from what we’re doing at 23andMe and what our scientists have demonstrated with this paper could be game-changing,” said Auton. “We believe that 23andMe can enable the broader biotech industry to bring new drugs to patients faster and more cheaply. ”

A New Era for Human Genetic Data in Drug Development

Bella doesn’t know how it started, but genetics has fascinated her since she was little.



<figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-medium"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="228" height="300" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Bella-Photo-228x300.jpg" alt="A photo of Bella." class="wp-image-33300" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Bella-Photo-228x300.jpg 228w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Bella-Photo-768x1009.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Bella-Photo-779x1024.jpg 779w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Bella-Photo-670x880.jpg 670w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Bella-Photo-898x1180.jpg 898w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Bella-Photo.jpg 1080w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 228px) 100vw, 228px" /></figure>



“I don’t know what triggered it; it just appealed to me,” said Bella, a 22-year-old college student with a passion for biology.



For Bella, genetics is like a giant puzzle, with scientists still trying to piece it together to reveal something about us as humans or why some people get sick, and others don’t. 



During the pandemic, she devoured details of how scientists used a small piece of messenger RNA, mRNA, to create a vaccine that would produce an immune response and antibodies against COVID-19. She also contemplates what might be possible in the future; as most people know, certain genetic variants can dramatically increase one’s risk for a disease. But Bella likes to imagine discovering genetic variants that might do the opposite and protect one against disease.



“There’s still so much more to discover,” she said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-gift-of-knowledge">A Gift of Knowledge</h2>



She soon learned that the same was true about her own genetics. Her mom gifted her a 23andMe Health + Ancestry kit for Christmas one year. Bella thought it was a perfect choice.



“It’s really easy to use and super detailed,” she said.



She was interested in her ancestry because she never knew much about her family tree. It turns out that she’s Turkish, Iranian and Italian. She was also interested in her health reports. She opted in to view the reports, went through a short tutorial, and opened up her reports, including her Cystic Fibrosis Carrier Status Report.*



“I found out I was a carrier of cystic fibrosis,” Bella said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-it-means-to-be-a-carrier">What it Means to Be a Carrier</h2>



Being a carrier does not typically impact your health, and it’s not unusual; depending on ethnicity, between one in 25 and one in 100 people in the United States are carriers for cystic fibrosis. But there is a chance that if you are a carrier and your partner is a carrier, you could have a<a href="https://www.23andme.com/topics/carrier/cystic-fibrosis/"> child with cystic fibrosis</a>. P



eople with cystic fibrosis inherit variants in the CFTR gene from both parents. It is relatively rare; about 35,000 people in the United States have<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/cystic-fibrosis/about/"> cystic fibrosis, according to the CDC</a>. It’s a very serious condition affecting breathing and digestion. There is no cure, but new treatments have helped people with the disease live longer.  



Learning that she was a carrier initially was a big surprise and a little scary. But it triggered some essential family conversations. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-planning-ahead">Planning Ahead</h2>



Bella talked to her mom and then contacted her dad to find out if there was any family history of cystic fibrosis. Then she spoke to her older brother and then a cousin. She thought this would be important information for them to know since they might be considering having children.



Her mom told her she was glad she used 23andMe.



“’Now you know,’” Bella’s mom told her.



Knowing meant she could plan ahead if she decided to have children. It would be essential to know if her partner was also a carrier.



&#8220;Knowledge is power!&#8221; Bella said more than once.&nbsp;



&nbsp;She continues to stress the importance of genetic testing and planning for the future.



Learn More



<a href="https://www.23andme.com/dna-health-ancestry/">23andMe Health &amp; Ancestry</a>, <a href="https://www.23andme.com/membership/">23andMe+ Premium</a>, and <a href="https://www.23andme.com/total-health/">23andMe+ Total Health </a>customers can all <a href="https://you.23andme.com/health/carrier_status/">learn about their carrier status here</a>. 



Not yet a customer? Find out more about <a href="https://www.23andme.com/compare-dna-tests/">all that 23andMe offers here</a>.



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-note">Note:</h2>



*The 23andMe PGS test uses qualitative genotyping to detect select clinically relevant variants in the genomic DNA of adults to report carrier status and reporting and interpreting genetic health risks. The relevance of each report may vary based on ethnicity. 



Our carrier status reports can be used to determine carrier status but cannot determine if you have two copies of any genetic variant. These carrier reports are not intended to tell you anything about your risk for developing a disease in the future, the health of your fetus, or your newborn child’s risk of developing a particular disease later in life. We provide a single report for certain conditions that includes information on carrier status and genetic health risk. 



The Cystic Fibrosis Carrier Status report is indicated for detecting 29 variants in the CFTR gene and is most relevant for people of Ashkenazi Jewish, European, and Hispanic/Latino descent.

Bella Learns About Her Carrier Status

By Tomi Oyedeji-Olaniyan



As part of a new collaboration, the California Northstate University College of Medicine worked with 23andMe to improve their pre-existing genetics curriculum for medical students by integrating components of 23andMe’s genetics education program.&nbsp;



This enhanced curriculum addresses known gaps in genetics education in US medical schools and is based on recommendations from the Association of Professors of Human and Medical Genetics.3&nbsp;&nbsp;



“The truth is that genetics does impact all areas of medicine, and we know that now much more than we did a decade ago or five years ago,” said Noura Abul-Husn, MD, PhD, Vice President of Genomic Health at 23andMe. “I’m excited that we’re making a difference through our education initiatives, where we can offer information to healthcare providers outside of our ecosystem to learn more about genetic testing, genetic health results, and how to use them.”



While the scientific community has made significant advances in the clinical applications of genetics, many patients still do not have easy access to clinicians with genetics training. As a result, patients rely heavily on primary care physicians to address their genetic concerns.1 Despite this, <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10872981.2022.2143920#abstract">a 2022 study</a> revealed that most healthcare providers (HCPs) do not feel prepared to use genetic information in patient care or to address direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic test results.2&nbsp;



This gap in genetics education starts during medical school, where genetics is often only taught during the preclinical years and is virtually non-existent during the clinical years.3 &nbsp;The collaboration between 23andMe and California Northstate University College of Medicine aims to help address this gap in genetics education and offer medical students an expanded and more comprehensive genetics curriculum.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="512" height="222" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/California-Northstate-University.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-33327" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/California-Northstate-University.jpg 512w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/California-Northstate-University-300x130.jpg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-curriculum">The Curriculum</h2>



As part of this new curriculum, first-year medical students studying genetics will be watching a series of micro-learning videos this fall. These educational videos result from a collaboration between<a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/resources-for-healthcare"> 23andMe and Osmosis</a>, an online educational platform for students and clinicians. The videos cover topics including<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crsxdOnJg1I&amp;list=PLY33uf2n4e6MZpssct5f5416EuZxzfYUA&amp;index=2"> </a><a href="https://medical.23andme.com/videos/genetic-variation-and-disease/">genetic variation and disease</a>, <a href="https://medical.23andme.com/videos/complex-conditions-polygenic-risk-scores/">complex disease and polygenic risk scores</a>, <a href="https://medical.23andme.com/videos/using-your-patients-family-health-history-to-guide-their-care/">family health history</a>,<a href="https://medical.23andme.com/videos/interpreting-results/"> interpreting genetic test results, </a>and <a href="https://medical.23andme.com/videos/understanding-pharmacogenetics/">pharmacogenomics</a>. Upon completing the course, students will be assessed for improved knowledge content and asked for feedback on the enhanced course.&nbsp;



California Northstate University College of Medicine&#8217;s first-year medical curriculum requires students to take courses that focus on the fundamental principles of the basic sciences, such as genetics. This collaboration will equip the school’s first-year students with clinically-informed genetics education, allowing them to apply their academic knowledge to real-world clinical practice. Additionally, the medical school offers research opportunities, allowing students with an interest in exploring innovative approaches to genetics education to delve deeper, further supporting our efforts.&nbsp;



“As the future of medicine increasingly relies on genomics, it is essential for physicians to develop expertise in this field,” said Richard Isaacs, MD, FACS, Dean and Senior Vice-President of Medical Affairs and Professor of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at California Northstate University College of Medicine. “We must equip physicians and staff with the tools and knowledge to lead in this dynamic area.”&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-is-it-essential-for-doctors-to-have-this-training">Why is it essential for doctors to have this training?</h2>



With the rise of direct-to-consumer genetic testing, it is becoming increasingly important that healthcare providers can interpret and discuss results with their patients. Genetic testing provides tools that can aid healthcare providers in personalizing care for their patients. Many clinics are also starting to adopt precision medicine — an approach, as defined by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), to “tailoring disease prevention that accounts for differences in people’s genes, environments, and lifestyles.” Genetics plays a major role in helping HCPs make the right care decisions for their patients and, ultimately, improving clinical outcomes.&nbsp;



Patients are also becoming more proactive about their health. With more awareness surrounding the genetic association with diseases such as breast cancer, Alzheimer’s, and colorectal cancer, patients are choosing to undergo screening and take preventive action where possible. For many patients, this could include DTC testing, which they might then bring to their HCP. Therefore, genetics education and training remain a critical skill set for HCPs.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="512" height="246" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/DTC-Genetic-Testing-Slide.png" alt="" class="wp-image-33328" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/DTC-Genetic-Testing-Slide.png 512w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/DTC-Genetic-Testing-Slide-300x144.png 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-an-ongoing-effort-nbsp">An Ongoing Effort&nbsp;</h2>



A leading consumer genetics and research company, 23andMe, has been working to improve <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/medical-education-at-23andme">genetics education for customers and clinicians</a>. Our Personal Genome Service was the first genetic service authorized by the FDA to provide direct-to-consumer Genetic Health Risk*, Carrier Status*, and Pharmacogenetic reports**. With genetic education at the forefront of customer interaction, 23andMe continues to expand this mission into improved genetics training for HCPs.&nbsp;



In 2021, 23andMe acquired Lemonaid Health, a telehealth service focused on affordable and accessible healthcare. Since the acquisition, Lemonaid Health clinicians have also undergone a 23andMe-developed training program in genetics-informed care, and patients can schedule <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/genetic-report-consults">clinical consultations to discuss their genetic results.</a> Studies done by 23andMe have shown positive learning outcomes after clinicians have completed the training.&nbsp;



“Healthcare providers are facing a wide variety of questions about genetic testing from patients, especially about the genetic aspects of common diseases such as cancer, heart diseases, and mental illness,” explains Anne Greb, MS, CGC, Director of Genomic Health Education at 23andMe. Anne, a trained genetic counselor, has dedicated her career to teaching, improving, and developing genetics education curricula for HCPs the last three decades. “Now, there is an urgent need to modernize genetics education with engaging, scalable activities and resources so HCPs can integrate genetics into the care of their patients.”



<a href="https://medical.23andme.com/genomic-health-team/">23andMe’s Genomic Health team</a> continues to engage with physicians, genetic counselors, pharmacists, and other HCPs to provide resources for interpreting and discussing 23andMe genetic reports. These resources include <a href="https://medical.23andme.com/stories/">HCP-led educational videos</a>, <a href="https://medical.23andme.com/reports/">sample reports</a>, <a href="https://medical.23andme.com/videos/">bite-sized open-source educational videos</a>, and much more. Visit <a href="https://medical.23andme.com/">our website for healthcare professionals</a> to learn more about how 23andMe is supporting HCPs 



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-references">References:</h2>



<ol class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://app.readcube.com/library/?style=Genetics%20in%20Medicine+%7B%22language%22:%22en-US%22%7D">Chou AF, et.al. Barriers and strategies to integrate medical genetics and primary care in underserved populations: a scoping review. J Community Genet. 2021;12(3):291-309.&nbsp;</a></li>



<li><a href="https://app.readcube.com/library/?style=Genetics%20in%20Medicine+%7B%22language%22:%22en-US%22%7D">French EL, et.al. Physician Perception of the Importance of Medical Genetics and Genomics in Medical Education and Clinical Practice. Med Educ Online. Vol. 28. 2023</a></li>



<li>Haspel RL, et.al. Call for improvement in medical school training in genetics: results of a national survey. Genet Med. 2021 Jun; 23(6): 1151–1157</li>



<li>Center for Devices and Radiological Health. “Precision Medicine.” U.S. Food and Drug Administration, FDA, <a href="http://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/in-vitro-diagnostics/precision-medicine">www.fda.gov/medical-devices/in-vitro-diagnostics/precision-medicine</a> (Accessed 16 Aug. 2024).&nbsp;</li>
</ol>



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-note">Note:</h2>



*The 23andMe PGS test includes health predisposition and carrier status reports. Health predisposition reports include both reports that meet FDA requirements for genetic health risks and reports that are based on 23andMe research and have not been reviewed by the FDA. The test uses qualitative genotyping to detect select clinically relevant variants in the genomic DNA of adults from saliva to report and interpret genetic health risks and report carrier status. It is not intended to diagnose any disease. Your ethnicity may affect the relevance of each report and how your genetic health risk results are interpreted. Each genetic health risk report describes if a person has variants associated with a higher risk of developing a disease but does not describe a person’s overall risk of developing the disease. The test is not intended to tell you anything about your current state of health or to be used to make medical decisions, including whether or not you should take a medication, how much of a medication you should take, or determine any treatment. Our carrier status reports can be used to determine carrier status but cannot determine if you have two copies of any genetic variant. These carrier reports are not intended to tell you anything about your risk for developing a disease in the future, the health of your fetus, or your newborn child&#8217;s risk of developing a particular disease later in life. For certain conditions, we provide a single report that includes information on both carrier status and genetic health risk. Results should be confirmed in a clinical setting before taking any medical action. For important information and limitations regarding each genetic health risk and carrier status report, visit <a href="http://23andme.com/test-info/">23andme.com/test-info/</a>



 **23andMe PGS Pharmacogenetics reports: The 23andMe test uses qualitative genotyping to detect 3 variants in the CYP2C19 gene, 2 variants in the DPYD gene and 1 variant in the SLCO1B1 gene in the genomic DNA of adults from saliva to report and interpret information about the processing of certain therapeutics to inform discussions with a healthcare professional. It does not describe if a person will or will not respond to a particular therapeutic. Our CYP2C19 Pharmacogenetics report provides certain information about variants associated with metabolism of some therapeutics and provides interpretive drug information regarding the potential effect of citalopram and clopidogrel therapy. Our SLCO1B1 Pharmacogenetics report provides certain information about variants associated with the processing of some therapeutics and provides interpretive drug information regarding the potential effect of simvastatin therapy. Our DPYD Pharmacogenetics report does not describe the association between detected variants and any specific therapeutic. Results for DPYD and certain CYP2C19 results should be confirmed by an independent genetic test prescribed by your own healthcare provider before taking any medical action. Warning: Test information should not be used to start, stop, or change any course of treatment and does not test for all possible variants that may affect metabolism or protein function. The PGS test is not a substitute for visits to a healthcare professional. Making changes to your current regimen can lead to harmful side effects or reduced intended benefits of your medication, therefore consult with your healthcare professional before taking any medical action. For important information and limitations regarding Pharmacogenetic reports, visit <a href="http://23andme.com/test-info/pharmacogenetics/">23andme.com/test-info/pharmacogenetics/</a>

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