In early July, President Biden signed into law the<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C88OKGZNQwn/?igsh=MTc4MmM1YmI2Ng%3D%3D"> National Plan to End Parkinson&#8217;s Act</a>. This is a monumental step forward for the scientists at 23andMe and the millions living with Parkinson&#8217;s disease. Seeing this bipartisan legislation become law is heartening, as it will bolster efforts to find new treatments and ultimately cure Parkinson&#8217;s.



<figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-medium"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="282" height="300" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/PD-Research-282x300.png" alt="" class="wp-image-29642" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/PD-Research-282x300.png 282w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/PD-Research-768x817.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/PD-Research-827x880.png 827w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/PD-Research.png 861w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 282px) 100vw, 282px" /></figure>



23andMe launched its <a href="https://www.23andme.com/pd/">Parkinson&#8217;s Research</a> effort 15 years ago, leveraging its unique research model to aid in the fight against this disease. For many of us, this research is personal—we have family members or loved ones living with Parkinson&#8217;s. Along with our ongoing research, 23andMe was the first direct-to-consumer genetic testing company to offer reports authorized by the FDA that estimated a person’s genetic likelihood of developing Parkinson’s disease.



We’ve continued that commitment to our customers and toward <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/preliminary-results-from-the-parkinsons-impact-project-baseline-survey">important Parkinson’s research.</a> More than 37,000 people with Parkinson&#8217;s are part of our Parkinson&#8217;s Research community. That community and the millions of 23andMe customers who have consented to participate in our research make this work possible. Together, we&#8217;ve published over two dozen papers. Collaborating with the Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF) and the Parkinson&#8217;s Foundation, we are getting closer daily to our goal of ending Parkinson&#8217;s.



Modeled after the National Alzheimer&#8217;s Project Act (NAPA) of 2011, the new law will direct more attention and funding toward Parkinson&#8217;s research, just as NAPA did for Alzheimer&#8217;s. In the last year, two new treatments have been approved by the FDA to treat early Alzheimer&#8217;s, and there are now some new tests that help with earlier diagnosis of the disease. The hope is that the National Plan to End Parkinson&#8217;s Act will lead to similar breakthroughs for treating and diagnosing Parkinson&#8217;s disease.



We talked to a few of the 23andMe scientists working on Parkinson&#8217;s research to get their reaction to the new law and what it may mean for new treatments for Parkinson&#8217;s disease.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-promising-new-research">Promising New Research</h2>



Hopefully, this new law will spur additional funding for Parkinson&#8217;s research. Looking at all the Parkinson&#8217;s research, including work by 23andMe researchers on topics such as<a href="https://academic.oup.com/brain/article/147/6/1996/7676517?login=false"> LRRK2 G2019S</a>, the<a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/parkinsons-disease-and-the-microbiome"> microbiome, and Parkinson&#8217;s</a> and <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/large-study-on-parkinsons-disease-includes-understudied-populations">Parkinson&#8217;s in non-European populations</a>, what are you most excited about in current Parkinson&#8217;s research?



<figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-medium"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="300" height="228" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Mapping-LRRK2-Symptoms-to-Brain-300x228.png" alt="Mapping of LRRK2 PD symptoms to areas of the brain." class="wp-image-32942" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Mapping-LRRK2-Symptoms-to-Brain-300x228.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Mapping-LRRK2-Symptoms-to-Brain-768x584.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Mapping-LRRK2-Symptoms-to-Brain-1024x779.png 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Mapping-LRRK2-Symptoms-to-Brain-880x670.png 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Mapping-LRRK2-Symptoms-to-Brain-1180x898.png 1180w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Mapping-LRRK2-Symptoms-to-Brain.png 1899w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></figure>



23andMe PD Research Team: The Parkinson’s research landscape is expanding into so many promising areas that choosing just one is difficult! A few of our top research priorities at this time include exploring Parkinson’s genetic insights into multi-ancestry populations, early Parkinson’s disease detection, and the importance of gut/saliva microbes. Scientists are developing accessible assays of alpha-synuclein—the protein that misfolds and is associated with the development of Parkinson’s—that will aid in early detection and spur further insights into disease progression. There is still so much work to do, and we are excited to contribute research in genetics, ancestry, and the microbiome to understand Parkinson’s biology and pathology further.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-alzheimer-s-research-example">The Alzheimer&#8217;s Research Example</h2>



The new law was modeled after the National Alzheimer&#8217;s Project Act. What do you see as a parallel with Alzheimer&#8217;s research, and where does the comparison diverge?



23andMe PD Research Team: Both Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s are neurodegenerative diseases that pose real challenges to the patients living with them, as well as to the researchers trying to find a breakthrough. Both diseases currently have treatments that primarily address symptoms rather than cure the disease, so both camps of researchers are actively looking for a breakthrough. The etiologic and clinical details can be different—for example, PD often begins with motor symptoms while AD’s early manifestations are more cognitive—but the commonalities in studying the two conditions are much more pronounced.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-23andme-s-parkinson-research">23andMe&#8217;s Parkinson Research</h2>



23andMe has been studying Parkinson&#8217;s disease since 2009, and our findings have been published in more than two dozen papers. Is there a big takeaway from all that work and the ongoing work on Parkinson&#8217;s?



<figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="332" height="332" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/BHM-Microscope-NoBack.png" alt="" class="wp-image-26906" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/BHM-Microscope-NoBack.png 332w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/BHM-Microscope-NoBack-150x150.png 150w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/BHM-Microscope-NoBack-300x300.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/BHM-Microscope-NoBack-271x271.png 271w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 332px) 100vw, 332px" /></figure>



23andMe PD Research Team: Before the 21st century, genetics were thought to have little to no influence on Parkinson’s disease. Thanks to the advent of sequencing technologies, we have learned a great deal about the genetic underpinnings of Parkinson’s. 23andMe has been an essential contributor to Parkinson’s genetics research due to our unique and large customer base that is highly engaged in research. The big takeaway from our science has been the identification of ~90 genes that are associated with the risk of Parkinson’s. With each decade that passes, we are learning more and more about how genetics influences Parkinson’s disease risk and symptoms. This knowledge is the foundation used to develop genetic testing and improve early detection of Parkinson’s disease, identify new drug targets, and develop new medications.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-collaborations">Collaborations</h2>



For almost our entire Parkinson&#8217;s research program, 23andMe has collaborated with the Michael J. Fox Foundation and the Parkinson&#8217;s Foundation. We&#8217;ve also collaborated with some academic institutions and the NIH. Where are we most interested in collaborating on areas around Parkinson&#8217;s disease? Will we likely see access to this dataset expanded to more qualified researchers?



23andMe PD Research Team: Scientific collaboration is crucial to succeed in Parkinson’s research. We are interested in continuing our support and collaboration with ongoing studies, including The Michael J. Fox Foundation’s PPMI and The University of Rochester’s VALOR-PD studies. We are excited to contribute to Radboud University Medical Center’s Slow-SPEED study—the first-ever remote exercise intervention in prodromal Parkinson’s. We are also excited to explore the capabilities of wearable devices in detecting early Parkinson’s and cognitive games to monitor brain health over time. The 23andMe Research Team is committed to supporting researchers while protecting the privacy of our customers and research participants.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lrrk2-study">LRRK2 Study</h2>



Recently, 23andMe published findings focusing on those with the <a href="https://academic.oup.com/brain/article/147/6/1996/7676517?login=false">LRRK2 variant and Parkinson&#8217;s.</a> The study highlights how the disease affects people differently. What more can you say about LRRK2 and how the disease doesn&#8217;t necessarily affect all people similarly?



23andMe PD Research Team: We showed that the LRRK2 G2019S variant increases one’s risk of Parkinson’s. However, not everyone with the mutation will develop Parkinson’s. Furthermore, we saw that this increased risk was partly explained by other genes. The cumulative effect of these other genes, called a polygenic risk score, further explained this variability in Parkinson’s risk in LRRK2 G2019S carriers. Therefore, LRRK2 can affect people differently, and this has to do with both our background genetic makeup and our environment.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-research-participants">Research Participants</h2>



All our work is possible because people with Parkinson&#8217;s have chosen to participate in this research. We also have about 12 million customers who&#8217;ve consented to participate in research. What would you like to say to those people with Parkinson&#8217;s who are research participants? What about those who do not have Parkinson&#8217;s? How is their participation helpful for what you do?



23andMe PD Research Team: We want to thank all of our customers for taking the time to participate in 23andMe research. Without you, progress in Parkinson’s research would not be possible. Genetic analyses require thousands of research participants to glean robust insights. We&#8217;re grateful to have such an engaged customer base committed to research. We want everyone to access, understand, and benefit from the human genome. This all starts with research.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-motivation">Motivation</h2>



Many of us here at 23andMe have family members who are living with or lived with Parkinson&#8217;s disease. Does that help motivate you to do the research you are doing?



23andMe PD Research Team: Absolutely. One of our core values is ‘behind every data point is a human being.’ That comes naturally when so many of us have personal connections to PD. Research in service of better quality of life and treatment options for people just like our loved ones is our North Star.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-value-of-knowing">The Value of Knowing</h2>



We also know 23andMe customers are interested in their Genetic Health Risk report on Parkinson’s Disease. Not everyone wants to learn this information. However for those who do, what do you see as the value of learning that you may have a genetic risk for Parkinson’s disease?&nbsp;



23andMe PD Research Team: The benefits for those who learn about their genetic risk can be tangible. Knowing genetic risk can lead to more proactive health monitoring and early detection. Also, individuals with a known genetic predisposition to PD may consider genetic counseling to understand the implications for their children and other family members. Finally, some individuals find value in being mentally and emotionally prepared for the possibility of developing Parkinson’s disease.

23andMe Blog

23andMe Blog Team

A New Era for Parkinson’s Research

We all have a story or an accumulation of stories that make us who we are. It&#8217;s part of being human. It&#8217;s in our DNA. If those stories vanish, what are we then?&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-six-million-living-with-alzheimer-s-disease">Six Million Living with Alzheimer&#8217;s Disease</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-medium"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="200" height="300" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Rebecca-Jones-200x300.jpg" alt="A photo of Rebecca Jones." class="wp-image-33172" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Rebecca-Jones-200x300.jpg 200w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Rebecca-Jones.jpg 426w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px" /></figure>



More than <a href="https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/facts-figures#:~:text=More%20than%206%20million%20Americans%20of%20all%20ages%20have%20Alzheimer's,older%20(10.7%25)%20has%20Alzheimer's.">six million people in the United States live with Alzheimer&#8217;s disease</a>. A condition that cruelly extinguishes memories one by one—everything from the memory of holding a child for the first time to the touch of a fleeting lost love or the bracing courage we felt when we stood up for ourselves. With Alzheimer&#8217;s disease, those memories vanish until you have no stories left.&nbsp;



Not too long ago, I learned from a 23andMe genetic test that I carry the ?4 variant in the APOE gene, predisposing me toward late-onset Alzheimer&#8217;s disease.* Seeing &#8220;increased risk&#8221; in writing shook me, but it wasn&#8217;t surprising. Three of my aunts on my father&#8217;s side died of Alzheimer&#8217;s disease. After a series of follow-up visits with doctors, confirmatory testing, and then brain scans, I learned that I had early signs of Alzheimer’s disease. Soon after learning all this, I became part of a clinical trial and was among the first wave of patients treated with Eisai and Biogen’s newly approved drug, <a href="https://www.statnews.com/2024/05/09/alzheimers-leqembi-eisai-biogen-hurdles/">Leqembi.</a>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-my-story">My Story</h2>



I want to share my story because I believe we should all rethink how we approach genetic testing for Alzheimer&#8217;s disease or any disease. Knowledge is power. Learning early through a consumer genetic test alerted me to a risk I didn’t know about before I was symptomatic. It was information that my doctors could follow up on, and then, miraculously, there was a clinical trial for which I was a good candidate. If I’d waited until I was symptomatic, it might have been too late.



I&#8217;m a mother of four and grandmother of ten. Before I retired, I was a marketing manager for a pharmaceutical company focusing on oncology. Maybe that made me particularly ready to understand the importance of learning one’s genetic risk and navigating participation in a clinical trial.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-treatments">New Treatments </h2>



For too long, the prognosis for people with Alzheimer’s was bleak. So much so that doctors recommended against learning of your genetic risk because, they reasoned, there was little you could do about it; learning of your risk would cause anxiety and stress. Research <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2778270/">doesn&#8217;t support that</a>, but more importantly, the options for people with an early diagnosis have changed. I’m hoping that attitudes about genetic testing, or new types of <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2022/11/17/alzheimers-blood-test-research-treatment/">blood testing</a> to identify those at risk or who may have early-stage Alzheimer’s, change as well.&nbsp;



Learning of my risk and then getting a diagnosis spurred me to action. I studied up on new research, promising treatments, and interventions that had only recently become available. Learning of my risk wasn&#8217;t easy, but I knew it was something I couldn’t ignore. I had to educate myself.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-family-conversation">A Family Conversation</h2>



After I learned of my risk, I did what a lot of people do when confronted with a health issue: I talked to my family. Alzheimer&#8217;s runs in families, so this was more than just seeking counsel; I wanted my sisters and my adult children to know that the risk I faced might be something they should be aware of as well. My older sister and two of my daughters tested and learned that they, too, carry the same genetic risk. They call this the <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/cascade-testing/about/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/genomics/disease/cascade_testing/cascade_finding.htm">cascade effect</a> of genetic testing. One family member learns of a risk and can alert other family members to a potential risk they might not have known otherwise.



Beyond talking to family, I spoke to my doctor, who fortunately didn&#8217;t just brush it off. What followed was confirmatory testing, baseline testing for cognitive impairment — I had some — and referral to a neurologist. A brain scan revealed amyloid plaque build-up, a sign of the disease. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-clinical-trial">A Clinical Trial</h2>



I learned that I had early signs of Alzheimer&#8217;s. But I also knew I was a good candidate for a drug that was in clinical trials. I volunteered. I also learned that I was the perfect candidate for the drug Leqembi. The FDA approved Leqembi to treat people with early Alzheimer&#8217;s disease as a way to slow its progression. Knowing your APOE status is recommended before treatment because individuals with two copies of the APOE e4 variant have an increased risk for side effects. My older sister and I began infusion treatments together. 



The biggest takeaway for me is that, just like with cancer, the earlier a diagnosis, the better the odds of treating Alzheimer&#8217;s. And yet, often, people only learn that they have Alzheimer&#8217;s after symptoms become hard to ignore. However, by then, the disease has already caused significant damage. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-power-of-knowing">The Power of Knowing</h2>



How many people are diagnosed with Alzheimer&#8217;s before significant cognitive impairment? Not many, unfortunately.



I was lucky. I had access to a genetic test that informed me of my risk early. I didn&#8217;t ignore it. I acted early with my doctor&#8217;s help. My hope lies in more people like me getting genetic testing, learning of their potential risk, and then following up and getting an early diagnosis. 



It&#8217;s given me the chance to use new treatments to stave off the erasure of my memories. I hope it will help prevent Alzheimer&#8217;s from robbing me of the stories that make up my life.



Rebecca Jones is a mother of four and grandmother of ten. She is retired and was formerly a marketing manager for a pharmaceutical company focused on oncology. She lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma.



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



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-note">Note:</h6>



*The 23andMe PGS 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. 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. 



The Late-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease genetic health risk report is indicated for reporting of the e4 variant in the APOE gene. It describes if a person has a variant associated with an increased risk of developing late-onset Alzheimer’s disease. The e4 variant included in this report is found and has been studied in many ethnicities. Detailed risk estimates have been studied the most in people of European descent.

Rebecca Jones

The Power of Knowing

Historical Matches has quickly become one of the most popular features of our 23andMe+ membership.



We&#8217;re excited to offer a sneak peek into this feature in the first of a series of expert-led discussions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-your-expert-guide">Your Expert Guide</h2>



This first expert session video features our most knowledgeable scientist on ancient DNA: Éadaoin Harney, PhD.



Dr. Harney has been instrumental in developing <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/23andmes-historic-matches">Historical Matches</a> and other advanced ancestry features and can provide insight into how to make the most of Historical Matches. Dr. Harney explains how the technology works to identify DNA segments inherited from your ancestors that you may share with these historical and ancient individuals and offers tips on what else you can learn from these connections to the past.



Let this expert guide you and help you understand your connections to these historical individuals. Here&#8217;s a little taste of what is covered.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-does-it-mean-to-have-historical-matches">What does it mean to have Historical Matches?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
 <iframe loading="lazy" title="23andMe Expert Sessions: What does it Mean to Have a Historical Match? (Full Video)" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9pKN4WGvLq4?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-is-ancient-dna">What is Ancient DNA?</h2>



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<iframe loading="lazy" title="23andMe Expert Sessions: What is Ancient DNA? And Process from Archaeology to Product" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pMDmyzSAJlk?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-jurassic-park-amp-ancient-dna">Jurassic Park &amp; Ancient DNA</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="23andMe Expert Sessions: Jurassic Park and Ancient DNA" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sczBs3ZcrE0?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-about-beethoven">What About Beethoven?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="23andMe Expert Sessions: Beethoven" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1eQAx5ImnX8?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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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)

An illustration showing strand of DNA and a connection between a person and Beethoven

Learn about An Additional Benefit to 23andMe+ Premium Membership

This week, 23andMe and 20 nonprofits, advocacy groups, and research institutions launched a new Lung Cancer Genetics Study. This study unites patients, advocates, doctors, and scientists to transform our understanding of the genetics of lung cancer with the hope of advancing research toward finding a cure.



<figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-medium"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="240" height="300" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/NSCLC_960x1200-1-240x300.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-33185" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/NSCLC_960x1200-1-240x300.jpg 240w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/NSCLC_960x1200-1-768x960.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/NSCLC_960x1200-1-819x1024.jpg 819w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/NSCLC_960x1200-1-704x880.jpg 704w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/NSCLC_960x1200-1-944x1180.jpg 944w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/NSCLC_960x1200-1.jpg 1920w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 240px) 100vw, 240px" /></figure>



Through this collaborative study, we aim to recruit 10,000 people diagnosed with lung cancer to participate in this crucial research that could help others in the future.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-broad-collaboration">A Broad Collaboration</h2>



Those who participate will help 23andMe and collaborating organizations create a repository of genetic and other data for lung cancer research by qualified scientists. This research data could be used to better identify those at the highest risk for lung cancer and discern how genetic and lifestyle factors play a role. The study could also improve earlier detection through enhanced screening. In addition, the research could also be used to develop more personalized treatments, as genetic research can help inform more targeted therapies.



Together, we&#8217;ll learn more about the genetic factors that impact lung cancer and better identify those at the most significant risk. Ultimately, we want to advance research towards finding a cure.



“The link between genetics and lung cancer can transform our understanding of risk and treatment,” said Jill Feldman, a co-founder of the patient advocacy group<a href="https://egfrcancer.org/our-mission/"> EGFR Resisters</a>, a community of people diagnosed with and/or personally affected by EGFR-positive lung cancer.



Jill said seeing such a broad collaboration of groups supporting this study is heartening.



“For the first time, the entire lung cancer community—patients, advocates, doctors, researchers—unites to support this vital study,” said Jill.



Todd Fielder, who is active with the patient advocacy group RET Positive and is a stage 4 lung cancer patient, said the broad coalition supporting this study is motivating.



&#8220;I want to participate in research to help move science forward, to hopefully come up with new treatment options,” said Todd. “If not for myself, then for future generations.&#8221;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-about-lung-cancer">About Lung Cancer</h2>



Lung cancer is the number one cause of cancer deaths in both men and women in the United States. In 2020, more people died from lung cancer than breast, colorectal, and prostate cancer combined, according to the<a href="https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/research/cancer-facts-and-statistics/annual-cancer-facts-and-figures/2023/2023-cancer-facts-and-figures.pdf"> American Cancer Society Cancer Facts &amp; Figures 2023 report</a>. About one in 16 men and one in 17 women in the United States will be diagnosed with lung cancer in their lifetime, the report indicates. It is the <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/lung-cancer/statistics/">third most common form of cancer</a> in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Despite being the deadliest cancer, <a href="https://meetings.asco.org/abstracts-presentations/209631">lung cancer research is underfunded</a> compared to other cancer types. Lung cancer receives $10,000 per death in federal and non-profit cancer funding, whereas breast cancer receives $91,000 per death.



Lung cancer usually begins in the lungs as either a small cell or non-small cell cancer. These two forms grow differently and are treated differently. Although it first starts in the lungs, the cancer may spread to lymph nodes or other areas of the body, such as the brain. When a cancer spreads from one part of the body to another, it’s called metastasis.



<figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-medium"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="300" height="290" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Lung-Cancer-Enwas-300x290.png" alt="" class="wp-image-33188" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Lung-Cancer-Enwas-300x290.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Lung-Cancer-Enwas-768x743.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Lung-Cancer-Enwas-1024x990.png 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Lung-Cancer-Enwas-880x851.png 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Lung-Cancer-Enwas.png 1156w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></figure>



While most of us know that smoking increases one’s risk, between 10–20 percent of people who develop lung cancers have never smoked or smoked less than 100 cigarettes in their lifetime. <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11014425/">Two-thirds</a> of these people are women. Researchers at Harvard made an interesting finding among lung cancer patients who never smoked. Still, they had a family history of lung cancer, pointing to a specific genetic mutation in the epidermal growth factor receptor gene, EGFR. Published in the scientific journal <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16258541/">Nature Genetics</a>, the study found that an EGFR mutation that is present in many patients&#8217; tumors increases the risk of developing lung cancer when it is inherited genetically. It has been estimated that this EGFR T790M mutation is a major cancer predisposition gene, with carriers having an estimated <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4509739/">31% risk of developing lung cancer.</a>



In fact, there are many factors, both genetic and non-genetic, that can contribute to lung cancer risk that are not related to smoking. Environmental exposures, other health conditions, lifestyle, and genetics can all play a role. Internal 23andMe data found that a family history of lung cancer, along with different types of allergies or rhinitis, the stuffed or dripping nose caused by allergies, were all associated with lung cancer, but that association does not mean that they were causal.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-environmental-factors-in-lung-cancer-risk">Environmental Factors in Lung Cancer Risk</h2>



Air pollution also contributes to the development of lung cancer. One study published in the academic journal <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7614604/#SD1">Nature</a> found that higher rates of air pollution known as PM2.5 are associated with higher rates of lung cancer with mutations in the EGFR gene. The researchers also showed that air pollution may contribute to lung cancer development by helping push lung cells with cancer-causing EGFR mutations over the edge from precancerous to cancerous. Cases of lung cancer are unevenly distributed throughout the United States, with much of the difference between states attributed to factors such as tobacco addiction. Interestingly, however, many areas with higher lung cancer rates also have <a href="https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1702747">high levels of PM2.5 air pollution</a>, underscoring the complex relationship between our health and lifestyle factors, socioeconomic factors, and environmental exposures.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="512" height="317" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Lung-Cancer-Rate-by-State.png" alt="" class="wp-image-33187" style="width:512px;height:auto" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Lung-Cancer-Rate-by-State.png 512w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Lung-Cancer-Rate-by-State-300x186.png 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px" /></figure>



State by State Cancer rate per 100,000 people. Source: U.S. Cancer Statistics Working Group. https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/dataviz, released in June 2024.



While the genetics of lung cancer are not yet well understood, it’s estimated that <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10681406/">up to 15% of people</a> diagnosed with lung cancer may have DNA variants linked to cancer development. One study of 5000 people diagnosed with lung cancer in Utah found that those with a family history of lung cancer in their immediate family (like parents, siblings, or children) <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6592768/">were more than twice as likely</a> to be diagnosed with lung cancer as people with no family history. The risk generally increased with the number of diagnosed family members. Even individuals with only second or third-degree relatives affected by lung cancer were at higher risk. (Second-degree relatives include family members like grandparents, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and half-siblings; third-degree relatives include family members like great-grandparents, great-aunts, great-uncles, and first cousins.)&nbsp;



Understanding more about the role that both the environment and genetics play in lung cancer will help scientists work to develop new and more personalized therapies. This is particularly true for people who develop lung cancer at an early age or who don’t have known risk factors such as smoking history or <a href="https://www.epa.gov/radon/health-risk-radon#iowa">radon exposure</a>, which is another known cause of lung cancer.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-about-the-lung-cancer-genetics-study">More about the Lung Cancer Genetics Study</h2>



Like all 23andMe research, a research ethics committee will oversee the Lung Cancer Genetics Study. In the United States, this is called an Institutional Review Board (IRB), which is an independent ethics panel that ensures research is conducted in accordance with government and ethical guidelines.



23andMe’s unique research platform — its ability to enroll participants online — makes it ideal for this study. The de-identified data from this study will be made available to approved researchers and to approved nonprofit researchers and institutions at no cost. Along with de-identified genetic data, the scientific database will include data from surveys on participants&#8217; lung cancer experience and, in some cases, data from medical records and tumor testing.



The Lung Cancer Genetics Study is made possible by Troper Wojcicki Philanthropies.



To learn more about the study, our collaborators, and eligibility criteria, visit the <a href="https://enroll.23andme.com/research/lung-cancer/identity/">Lung Cancer Genetics Study landing page</a>.

An image of 23andMe's Lung Cancer Study logo

23andMe Collaborates on New Genetic Study of Lung Cancer

Simply saying one has German ancestry doesn&#8217;t capture how diverse the cultural, linguistic, and historical differences are within the country of more than 80 million people.



Germany has over 16 administrative districts and at least a dozen distinct dialects. Someone from the North along the Baltic Sea who speaks what is called Plattdeutsch might have difficulty understanding someone from part of Bavaria who speaks Schwäbisch, for instance.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-distinct-populations">Distinct Populations</h2>



Beyond Germany, there are also distinct populations within Switzerland, the Netherlands, Austria, Luxembourg, and France with Germanic ethnolinguistic roots. 



To better reflect those differences and improve the granularity of 23andMe&#8217;s Ancestry Service, 23andMe added 49 different genetic populations in Germanic Europe. Those include 20 in Germany, 10 in Switzerland, eight in the Netherlands, 10 in Austria, and one in Luxembourg. 



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="797" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/AC-Germanic-Grojups-1024x797.png" alt="A map of the area around Baden-Wurttemberg and Bavarian Swabia that is part of the Ancestry Composition for people with Germanic ancestry from that area." class="wp-image-33143" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/AC-Germanic-Grojups-1024x797.png 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/AC-Germanic-Grojups-300x233.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/AC-Germanic-Grojups-768x598.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/AC-Germanic-Grojups-880x685.png 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/AC-Germanic-Grojups-1180x918.png 1180w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/AC-Germanic-Grojups.png 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Example results of a customer with matches to new Germanic Genetic Groups.



This update closely follows the recent addition of 36 Genetic Groups in France and Belgium, offering those with roots that trace back to these regions of Europe.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-germanic-europe">Germanic Europe</h2>



To better understand this Germanic Europe update, it&#8217;s helpful to understand the origins of modern-day Germanic peoples of Western Europe. They are descended from ancient Alpine-Celtic and Germanic populations and inhabit an area extending from the Netherlands to Austria—roughly corresponding to the extent of<a href="https://www.dhm.de/en/exhibitions/permanent-exhibition/middle-ages/"> Charlemagne&#8217;s Frankish Kingdom</a> in the Middle Ages.



Genetically and geographically, Germanic peoples are at the heart of Europe.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="936" height="396" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/FrenchGerman-Ancestry-Comp-Map-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-33142" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/FrenchGerman-Ancestry-Comp-Map-1.jpg 936w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/FrenchGerman-Ancestry-Comp-Map-1-300x127.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/FrenchGerman-Ancestry-Comp-Map-1-768x325.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/FrenchGerman-Ancestry-Comp-Map-1-880x372.jpg 880w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 936px) 100vw, 936px" /></figure>



Map showing the ancient, broad ethnic groups that influenced modern Germanic ancestry.



Germanic people have lived at a crossroads in human migration for millennia, and their genetics reflect that history. Celtic languages and culture first appeared in Central Europe, extending from the British Isles to the Black Sea by the Third century BCE. However, the rise of the Roman Empire spelled the downfall of a Celtic-speaking Europe, and today, Celtic languages are only spoken along the far western periphery of their former territory.



With the decline of the Western Roman Empire, Germanic tribes conquered vast territories from the North Sea to North Africa. Although Germanic languages did not replace the Latin-based languages spoken in what is now France and Belgium, recent studies found evidence that the migrations of Germanic peoples from the 4th to the 6th centuries had a more significant impact on Europe&#8217;s DNA than did the earlier expansion of the Roman Empire.



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



The update is part of our continuing work to improve 23andMe&#8217;s Ancestry Service reports and features. This new update allows customers with ancestry tracing to one of these countries to see their genetic connections to these communities.&nbsp;



23andMe&#8217;s Ancestry Composition report is a living analysis that improves as we add new reference data. Underlying our Ancestry reports are powerful algorithms and analytical tools developed by 23andMe population geneticists and engineers to offer our customers more insights into their ancestral origins.



Over the last few years, we&#8217;ve updated results to allow our customers to see more detail about their connections to specific geographic regions that correspond to cultural and linguistic regions.&nbsp;&nbsp;



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



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



Not yet a customer? Find out more about<a href="https://www.23andme.com/compare-dna-tests/"> 23andMe&#8217;s Ancestry Service and other services</a>.



Regions in Germanic Europe covered in this update



Below is the list of 23andMe&#8217;s 49 Germanic Genetic Groups:



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-germany">Germany</h2>



Eastern Bavarian Highlands &#8211; People from southeastern Germany, particularly near the Thuringian and Bohemian Forest, extend down to the foothills of the Bavarian Alps. For centuries, the Bohemian Forest acted as a natural border between Bavaria and Bohemia (now Czechia, or the Czech Republic), which helped shape the distinct cultural identities of these regions. Some people in this Genetic Group say their recent ancestors spoke Bavarian or Eastern Franconian, distinct German dialects standard in southern and northern Bavaria.



Southeastern Bavaria&#8211;&nbsp; People from southeastern Germany, particularly around the Isar and Danube Rivers, between the Bavarian Alps and the Bohemian Forest.



Upper and Middle Franconia —This genetic group includes people from east-central Germany, mainly Upper and Middle Franconia. However, some report ancestors from the foothills of the Fichtel and Ore Mountains further east.



Lower Franconia &#8211; People from central Germany, particularly in Lower Franconia near the foothills of the Rhön Mountains.



Saxony and the Thuringian Basin &#8211; People from eastern and central Germany, particularly between the Harz and Ore Mountains.



Baden-Württemberg and Bavarian Swabia &#8211; People from southwestern Germany, ranging from the Rhine River valley to the Black Forest to the Swabian Alps. Many people in this Genetic Group say their recent ancestors spoke Swabian, a distinct German dialect known for its unique vocabulary, pronunciation, and grammar. 



Greater Allgäu &#8211; People from south central Germany between Lake Constance, the headwaters of the Danube River, and the Lech River.



Black Forest &#8211; People from southwest Germany in and around the Black Forest.



Central Swabia &#8211; People from central Swabia, mainly north of the Swabian Jura mountain range in Baden-Württemberg. Historically, this region was influenced by ancient kingdoms such as the Alemanni (part of the Suebi Germanic peoples, from which the region gets its name) and later the Duchy of Swabia, which have left a lasting imprint on its cultural landscape.&nbsp;



Main River Basin &#8211; People from the center of Germany, along or near the course of the Main River, from northwestern Bavaria to its confluence with the Rhine River near Mainz.



Rhine-Main region &#8211; People from southwestern Germany, particularly from the Rhine-Main metropolitan region, centered around the confluence of the Rhine and Main rivers near the foothills of the Rhön Mountains.



Eastern German Plains &#8211; People from the eastern plains of Germany, ranging from the Harz Mountains in the southwest to Poland and the Baltic Sea in the east and northeast.



Rhineland &#8211; People from western Germany, particularly on the west side of the Rhine River, a region historically referred to as the Rhineland or Rhinelands.



Rhine-Ruhr Region &#8211; People from central west Germany, particularly near Cologne (Köln), Düsseldorf, and the &#8220;Ruhrgebiet&#8221; — a large urban region that includes Dortmund, Essen, and Duisburg, among other cities.



The Ruhrgebiet, Teutoburg Forest and the Westphalian Highlands &#8211; People from the Sauerland and Siegerland regions of the Westphalian highlands, the Teutoburg Forest in eastern Westphalia, and the &#8220;Ruhrgebiet&#8221; — a densely populated urban zone encompassing cities such as Dortmund and Essen.



Northwestern German Plain &#8211; People from the northwestern plains of Germany, spanning parts of the western portions of Lower Saxony and North-Rhine Westphalia, roughly between the Ems River in the west and the Weser River in the east.



Northern Germany &#8211; People from northern Germany, particularly the southern part of the Jutland Peninsula and around the Elbe and Weser Rivers.



Elbe-Weser Triangle &#8211; People from northwestern Germany, particularly from Bremen and the Elbe-Weser Triangle — a region between the Elbe and Weser Rivers near the North Sea.



German Jutland &#8211; People from the southern part of the Jutland Peninsula, particularly north of the Elbe River. This region was long disputed between Denmark and Germany.&nbsp;



Westphalian Lowlands &#8211; People from the Westphalian Lowlands of western Germany, north of the Rothaar Mountains.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-luxembourg">Luxembourg</h2>



Guttland &#8211; People from Guttland or Bon Pays (&#8220;Good Land&#8221;) – Luxembourg&#8217;s southern and central region, nestled between France and Belgium to the south and west and the Moselle River and Germany to the east. Guttland contains most of the country&#8217;s population and is the economic powerhouse of Luxembourg.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-switzerland">Switzerland</h2>



Bernese Alps and Central Swiss Plateau &#8211; People from the central region of the Swiss Plateau, including the canton of Bern. Known as the Mittelland, the Swiss plateau stretches from the southern slopes of the Jura mountains to the northern tip of the Berner Oberland (or Bernese Highlands), which is home to the breathtaking waterfalls of Lauterbrunnen Valley and the highest peaks in the Bern canton, including the iconic trio of Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau.



Northeastern Aare Basin &#8211; People from the northeastern portion of the Aare River basin, centered on the present-day Swiss canton of Aargau (meaning &#8220;Aare province&#8221;) and extending toward Zürich to the west.



Eastern Jura Mountains &#8211; People from the eastern region of the Jura Mountains — where the borders of Switzerland, France, and Germany meet — including the present-day Swiss city of Basel.



Ticino and Grisons &#8211; People from the Italian- and Romansh-speaking regions of Switzerland and northern Italy — particularly the southeastern cantons of Ticino and Grisons — although some also report ancestors in the northwest Swiss canton of Jura.



Limmat Valley and Schaffhausen &#8211; People from Zürich and the surrounding Limmat River Valley, as well as from the northern Swiss canton of Schaffhausen.



Lucerne, Kleine Emme Valley, and Seetal &#8211; People from central Switzerland, particularly the canton of Lucerne.



Muota Valley &#8211; People from the Alpine foothills that surround Lake Lucerne, including the Muota Valley (Muotathal) and extend into the modern-day cantons of Zug, Schwyz, Uri, Nidwalden, and Obwalden.



Pennine Alps &#8211; People from the foothills of the Pennine Alps in southern Romandie (French-speaking western Switzerland), in the modern Swiss canton of Valais, situated on the border with France and Italy.



Thur Valley and Appenzell &#8211; People from the Thur Valley in northeastern Switzerland, stretching from Walensee (Lake Walen) at the southern border of St. Gallen canton to Bodensee (Lake Constance) along the northern Swiss border and extending into neighboring Austria, Lichtenstein, and Germany.



Western Swiss Plateau &#8211; People from the western Swiss Plateau, centered on Vaud canton in the French-speaking Romandie region of western Switzerland and stretching from Lac de Neuchâtel in the north to Lac Léman (Lake Geneva) in the south.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-netherlands">The Netherlands</h2>



Utrecht and Gelderland — People from the central Netherlands, from Arnhem in the east to Amsterdam in the west, with Utrecht at its heart. Connected by a section of the lower Rhine and the Amsterdam-Rhine canal (the world&#8217;s most heavily trafficked artificial waterway), this region includes the northeastern edge of the Randstad — a densely populated crescent-shaped urban belt — and parts of western Gelderland.&nbsp;



Friesland and western Groningen — People from Friesland span from the Ijsselmeer (Lake IJssel) to western Groningen in the northern Netherlands. Frisian, a West Germanic language natively spoken by most of this region&#8217;s population, is closely related to English and is recognized as an official language in the Netherlands alongside Dutch.



Zuidvleugel and Groene Hart—People from Groene Hart and the neighboring Zuidvleugel—the &#8220;south wing&#8221; of a region known as the Randstad, a densely populated, crescent-shaped urban belt spanning from Rotterdam to Amsterdam and beyond in the western Netherlands.



Groningen and northern Drenthe — People from Groningen and northern Drenthe in the northeastern Netherlands, spanning parts of the ancient Germanic Frisian and Frankish Kingdoms. Notably, this region is home to almost all of the Netherlands&#8217; megalithic archaeological sites, in particular the &lt;i&gt;hunebedden&lt;/i&gt; or dolmens — large burial monuments composed of massive boulders that were constructed by the Funnelbeaker people who lived here around 5,000 years ago.



Noord-Brabant and Limburg &#8211; People from the Dutch states of Limburg and Noord-Brabant in the southeastern Netherlands, south of the Netherlands&#8217; three major rivers (the Maas, Waal, and Rhine). Researchers have found a distinct genetic border roughly separating Noord-Brabant and Limburg from the rest of the Netherlands.



North Holland Peninsula &#8211; People from the North Holland peninsula, primarily between Haarlem and Amsterdam in the south to Den Helder in the north.



Central East Netherlands &#8211; People from Overijssel, southern Drenthe, and northern Gelderland in the eastern Netherlands.



Zeeland and South Holland &#8211; People from Zeeland and parts of South Holland near the Rhine-Meuse and Scheldt deltas.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-austria-amp-germanic-peoples-in-slovenia">Austria &amp; Germanic Peoples in Slovenia</h2>



Greater Güssing — People from southern Burgenland along Austria&#8217;s border with Hungary, particularly the town of Güssing.



Carnic and Gailtal Alps — People from southern Austria, centered on the Carnic and Gailtal Alps along the border with Italy and stretching east into the Karawanks along the border with Slovenia, in what is now the Austrian state of Carinthia (Kärnten).



Oberösterreich and the Danube Valley &#8211; People from northern Austria, stretching from the western border with Germany through the modern state of Upper Austria (Oberösterreich) and encompassing parts of the Danube River valley.



Eastern Austrian plains—People from the eastern plains of Austria, including parts of the modern-day states of Lower Austria, Vienna, Burgenland, and Styria. This region stretches from Vienna—Austria&#8217;s culturally vibrant capital city—to Graz, Austria&#8217;s second-largest city, situated along the Mur River in Styria.



Western Austrian Alps &#8211; People from western Austria, stretching from Lichtenstein and eastern Switzerland through the Austrian states of Vorarlberg and Tyrol.



Karawanks &#8211; People from southern Austria and northern Slovenia, centered on the Karawanks and the southern Austrian city of Klagenfurt am Wörthersee.



Ljubljana Basin &#8211; People from the Ljubljana Basin in central Slovenia.



Mur Valley and Salzburg—People from central Austria centered on the Mur Valley in Styria, stretching from Salzburg near the border with Germany to Wolfsburg in the south.



Rinza Valley &#8211; People from southern Slovenia and northern Croatia, especially the Rinza Valley, including the Slovenian town of Ko?evje.Vienna and Northeast Austria &#8211; People from northeastern Austria, extending from Vienna west into Lower Austria (Niederösterreich) and south into the Mürz River Valley.

Germanic Europe Genetic Groups

People love coffee, which is partially explained by genetics, but you’d be forgiven for being less sure if your daily cup of joe is good for you.



Researchers have been wrestling with that question for years, studying the genetics associated with coffee consumption.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wired">Wired</h2>



People are <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/coffee-tea-and-23andme">genetically wired </a>to react differently to their morning coffee. Your genetics affect how you metabolize caffeine and your bitter taste perception, and both are associated with how much coffee you consume. Genetic differences can explain why some people can chug a Venti without problem, while a few sips are enough to perk up someone else all day long.



There are health implications for all this, but those are less clear-cut, and the data cuts both ways.



A recent study led by researchers at UC San Diego and Western University in Ontario, Canada, illustrates how complicated it is to understand the health outcomes of coffee consumption. The study found clear genetic associations with drinking coffee, but the same study found conflicting data around health outcomes. However, those divergent findings may say more about differences in culture or coffee culture than anything else.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-outcomes">Health Outcomes</h2>



The study, published in the journal<a href="https://doi.org/10.1038/s41386-024-01870-x"> Neuropsychopharmacology</a>, used data from two sources: a cohort of about 330,000 people in the UK Biobank and another data set from about 130,000 23andMe customers who consented to participate in research.



“We used this data to identify regions on the genome associated with whether somebody is more or less likely to consume coffee, and then identify the genes and biology that could underlie coffee intake,” said Hayley Thorpe, the lead researcher on the study and a postdoctoral researcher at Western’s Schulich Medicine &amp; Dentistry.



The data confirmed seven previously known genetic associations with coffee consumption. Some shared health outcomes were also found in both cohorts, but what was striking was where the health outcome data diverged. More than 80 percent of the outcomes were positive within the 23andMe data set, whereas only about 54 percent of the health outcomes were positive within the UK Biobank data set.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-coffee-culture">Coffee Culture</h2>



Pierre Fontanillas, a senior scientist of statistical genetics at 23andMe and one of the study&#8217;s lead researchers, said the stark differences in the health outcomes in the two datasets may be more related to the differences in the coffee culture between the UK and the United States.



“Your genetics influences your coffee consumption, but there are other factors, like culture and environment,” Pierre said.&nbsp;&nbsp;



Although the research participants from the UK Biobank and 23andMe have a lot in common, there are differences between the two groups that highlight just how complicated this kind of research can be. For instance, in the United States, serving sizes tend to be larger than in the UK. In addition, people in the US are more likely to add sweeteners or frothed milk to their coffee drinks, and they are more likely to augment their caffeine consumption with caffeinated sodas. Instant coffee is more common in the UK, serving sizes are small, and coffee drinkers may also increase their caffeine consumption with tea.



“That could explain some of those differences,” Pierre said.



While there were differences in health outcomes, health outcomes were also shared within both cohorts. Both showed genetic associations between coffee and harmful health outcomes such as obesity and substance use, for instance.



However, the two cohorts diverged when looking at other health and psychiatric traits.



“Look at the genetics of anxiety, for instance, or bipolar and depression,” said Thorpe at Western University. “In the 23andMe data set, they tend to be positively genetically correlated with coffee intake genetics. But then, in the UK Biobank, you see the opposite pattern, where they’re negatively genetically correlated. This is not what we expected.”



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



23andMe’s<a href="https://www.23andme.com/dna-health-ancestry/"> Health + Ancestry Service</a> can help you learn about genetic factors that may be involved. Order a kit, send us your spit, and find out what your genetics <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/happy-international-coffee-day">predict about your caffeine consumption </a>level.

The Genetics Behind Your Morning Cup of Coffee

Editor&#8217;s note 7/8/2024: This post has been updated since 2020. In addition, We do not support uploading DNA data obtained from other testing services to 23andMe. This article explains the risks of uploading your DNA data to third party services.
With all of <a class="waffle-rich-text-link" href="https://www.23andme.com/compare-dna-tests/">23andMe&#8217;s services</a>, you’re in charge of your genetic data. That means we let you decide what information you want to learn and what information you want to share. However, you need to be informed about the risks of sharing your genetic data with other services. This includes understanding the implications if you decide to upload DNA to 23andMe or any third-party service.
After receiving <a class="waffle-rich-text-link" href="https://www.23andme.com/dna-reports-list/">personalized genetic reports</a> from 23andMe, customers can choose to download their raw DNA data. Some customers may do this to upload their data to third-party services, which offer to interpret their raw DNA data to find new genetic relatives or get additional genetic reports. However, 23andMe cannot vouch for the scientific validity or accuracy, or clarity in communication of results of any such third-party services. In fact, only 23andMe offers a consumer genetic test with health reports that have FDA&#8217;s independent assurance of validity and clear results (without requiring a prescription).
Beyond concerns about scientific validity, uploading your raw DNA data to a third-party service can also put <a href="https://www.23andme.com/privacy/">your data privacy</a> at risk. In part, this is why 23andMe provides important warnings to its customers before they choose to download.
<h2>What are some of the risks of uploading your DNA data to a third-party website? </h2>
<div id="attachment_27862" style="width: 310px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/how-to-be-careful-with-your-raw-dna-data/what-is-dna-upload" rel="attachment wp-att-27862"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-27862" class="size-medium wp-image-27862" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/What-is-DNA-Upload-300x128.jpg" alt="An illustration of the steps for downloading data." width="300" height="128" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/What-is-DNA-Upload-300x128.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/What-is-DNA-Upload.jpg 512w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></a>Most consumer genetics companies, including 23andMe, allow you to download your own raw DNA data. At that point, the customer is free to do what they like with their raw DNA data, such as deciding to upload that raw DNA data to third-party services.</div>
At 23andMe, we’re clear with our users about the risks of using third-party services that provide additional health, wellness or trait insights. This is because only select genotype data used specifically in our Health reports have been individually validated for accuracy. While the rest of your data has undergone a general quality review, it has not been validated to the extent of the data underlying our official 23andMe reports. As a result, raw DNA data should not be used for medical purposes and we do not recommend the use of third-party services that claim to interpret raw DNA data to provide health information.
Consumers also cite concerns about law enforcement uploading crime-scene DNA data to third-party services to crack a cold case. Simply put, uploading crime-scene DNA data into the 23andMe environment is not possible because we do not support the upload of DNA data that has been processed by a third-party laboratory.
Further, 23andMe’s <a href="https://www.23andme.com/transparency-report/">Transparency Report</a> details our policy against releasing customer’s individual DNA data to any third party &#8211; including law enforcement &#8211; without receiving the customer’s explicit consent, unless required by law.
However, this concern about law enforcement upload of crime scene DNA data is a real one that we warn customers about should they choose to upload their DNA data to other third party platforms, including public genealogy services or other third party services that facilitate DNA data upload.
But there’s another form of vulnerability that’s less well-understood: Within databases that allow for raw DNA data uploads with access to relative matching features, people with malicious intent can upload real or fake “<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trojan_horse_(computing)">Trojan Horse</a>” genetic profiles for access to your personal identifying information. They could even infer your specific DNA variants—such as information about any disease risk variants you might carry. This is one reason why we don&#8217;t support uploading DNA to 23andMe.
<h2>How can that happen?</h2>
<ul>
<li>Many relative-matching services allow you to see the exact section or sections of DNA you share with each relative.*</li>
<li>If uploading DNA data is allowed, it means you no longer know for sure that your relative’s profile is actually controlled by your relative, and a malicious actor could upload real or fake DNA data to deduce information about you based on sections of matching DNA, including any disease risk variants you might have.</li>
<li>Even if shared segments aren’t shown, there are still ways that people with malicious intent can deduce some of your DNA variants.</li>
</ul>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-27863 alignright" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/How-Uploading-Creates-Risk-300x202.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="202" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/How-Uploading-Creates-Risk-300x202.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/How-Uploading-Creates-Risk.jpg 512w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />
This vulnerability was recently described in two reports: one at the University of Washington and another at the University of California, Davis. The authors of these reports explain several ways an “adversary” can deduce people&#8217;s genotypes “either at key positions or at many sites genome-wide” in databases that allow DNA data uploads with relative matching. This highlights the risks associated with uploading DNA to 23andMe or similar services.
Both reports outline specific ways for services to mitigate risk, such as limiting the information displayed in relative-matching features.
While these practices may reduce risk, we believe the simplest and most effective defense is to not allow individuals genotyped through other testing services to upload their DNA data to 23andMe for the purpose of discovering genetic relatives.
In the past, 23andMe has allowed DNA uploads from other consumer genetic testing services in very specific circumstances. Specifically, on DNA Day in April 2018, 23andMe allowed individuals who tested at other companies to upload their results to access a subset of our trait reports, but 23andMe has not enabled the discovery of new relatives for these accounts.
<h2>How does 23andMe ensure that only real, consenting individuals participate in our service? </h2>
In a word, spit.
When you spit into the tube, you’re embarking on the adventure of a lifetime. You’re also trusting 23andMe with some of your most personal information.
Requiring a saliva sample is how 23andMe is able to verify that you’re a real person who chose to participate in the service. While it might be easy to upload fake DNA data, it’s another matter entirely to fake a spit sample, which requires filling a tube with more than two milliliters of spit. It’s how you know that “Linda-your-4th-cousin-who-you-didn’t-know-existed” is a real person who chose to do 23andMe. Linda had to spit in a tube, too.
<h2>What are some key questions you should ask?</h2>
When considering whether or not to upload your raw DNA data to another website, we encourage you to familiarize yourself with their privacy and security policies before you upload your raw DNA data.
Make sure to consider the following questions:
<ol>
<li>Before you upload your DNA data, ask yourself: do I really need to do this? Am I willing to risk the security and privacy of my DNA data by uploading it to a third-party service?</li>
<li>Do your research! Does the third-party service have a track record of strong privacy and data security?</li>
<li>How will the third-party service use your information?  How can your information be further shared with other third parties?</li>
<li>If you are not interested in discovering new relatives but you want additional DNA insights, does the other service explicitly exclude features relating to discovering genetic relatives?</li>
</ol>
An earlier article detailing our stance on protecting customers’ data is available <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/news/our-stance-on-protecting-customers-data/">here</a>. 
<h2>Learn More</h2>
Find out if your <a href="https://www.23andme.com/test-info/genetic-health/">genetics</a> might Increase your risk for any health conditions with 23andMe.
You can also Learn more about common risks associated with uploading raw DNA online and how to protect your DNA information.
*By default, 23andMe does not display your ancestry information or DNA segment information to relatives or connections until you decide to share it with them.

Can You Upload DNA Data to 23andMe? 

(Editor&#8217;s note 7/8/2024: This post has been edited and updated since it first posted in 2019.) This new <a href="https://www.23andme.com/dna-ancestry/">ancestry breakdown</a> in Central and South Asia is currently available to customers on the latest version of our genotyping platform who are signed up for our Beta Program. This update significantly advances Asian DNA testing, offering more detailed and accurate results. 
South Asian people represent around a quarter of the world’s population but are severely underrepresented in global genetic studies. This makes it difficult for companies like 23andMe to build granular genetic ancestry prediction models for their South Asian customers. However, thanks to ongoing feedback from 23andMe customers with South Asian ancestry and outreach efforts such as our <a href="https://www.23andme.com/global-genetics/">Global Genetics Project</a>, we are now testing an extensive update to our <a href="https://www.23andme.com/dna-ancestry">Ancestry Composition</a> feature that dramatically improves results for customers with Central and South Asian ancestry.
If you have genetic ancestry from Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, or Nepal, your 23andMe <a href="https://www.23andme.com/dna-ancestry/">Ancestry Composition</a> results may have looked something like this:
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-26955 size-large" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Screen-Shot-2019-03-14-at-10.44.48-AM-1024x432.png" alt="23andMe Ancestry Composition Update - Map of Central and South Asia" width="1024" height="432" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Screen-Shot-2019-03-14-at-10.44.48-AM-1024x432.png 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Screen-Shot-2019-03-14-at-10.44.48-AM-300x127.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Screen-Shot-2019-03-14-at-10.44.48-AM-768x324.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Screen-Shot-2019-03-14-at-10.44.48-AM-880x371.png 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Screen-Shot-2019-03-14-at-10.44.48-AM-1180x498.png 1180w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />
But now, 23andMe’s updated Ancestry Composition report (currently in beta testing with customers)  breaks down Central &amp; South Asia into seven populations:
<ol>
<li>Central Asian (Afghan, Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Pashtun, Pakistani from the Federally Administered Tribal Areas, Tajik, Uzbek, Turkmen)</li>
<li>Bangladeshi &amp; Northeast Indian (Assamese, Bangladeshi)</li>
<li>Central &amp; Southern Indian (name of group TBD)</li>
<li>Gujarati Patel</li>
<li>Kannadiga, Tamil, Telugu &amp; Sri Lankan</li>
<li>Malayali</li>
<li>North Indian &amp; South Pakistani (Bihari, Burusho, Chhattisgarhi, Goan, Gujarati, Haryanvi, Kashmiri, Madhya Pradeshi, Maharashtrian, Odia, Punjabi, Rajasthani, Sindhi, Uttarakhandi, Uttar Pradeshi).</li>
</ol>
Here is a sample report with updated results. This individual has ancestry from three of the seven populations highlighted on the map.
<h6><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-26954 size-large" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Screen-Shot-2019-03-14-at-10.44.04-AM-1024x589.png" alt="23andMe Genetic Clustering Techniques for Central and South Asia" width="1024" height="589" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Screen-Shot-2019-03-14-at-10.44.04-AM-1024x589.png 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Screen-Shot-2019-03-14-at-10.44.04-AM-300x173.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Screen-Shot-2019-03-14-at-10.44.04-AM-768x442.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Screen-Shot-2019-03-14-at-10.44.04-AM-880x506.png 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Screen-Shot-2019-03-14-at-10.44.04-AM-1180x679.png 1180w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></h6>
<h2>How did we identify these new genetic regions in Central &amp; South Asia?</h2>
The first step toward increasing the granularity of Ancestry Composition in Central &amp; South Asia and enhancing the precision of our Asian ancestry test was to build a reference dataset from populations within the regions.
We started with publicly available datasets, including the 1000 Genomes Project (Bangladeshis, Gujaratis, Punjabis, Tamils, and Telugu-speakers) and the Human Genome Diversity Project (Burusho and Sindhi). Next, we added research-consented customers who reported that all four of their grandparents were from a country in Central or South Asia. This effort significantly enhances the accuracy of Asian DNA testing by expanding the reference panel used in Ancestry Composition. Previously, the panel included 1,022 South Asian individuals, but this update more than doubles the size of the panel to 2,696, of which 2,164 are 23andMe customers.
After assembling this group of Central and South Asian individuals, we used genetic clustering techniques to identify distinguishable populations. These techniques allow us to generate two-dimensional plots wherein each individual is represented by a single point. Points corresponding to individuals who are genetically similar to one another generally appear close to one another in these plots, forming clouds, or “clusters,” of points.
To figure out which individuals defined each cluster, we colored each data point by the locations, ethnicities, or languages of their ancestors.
Sometimes, a cluster’s label is pretty easy to figure out: for example, here’s an older scatter plot of our European reference individuals (you can find the whole plot with a legend in our <a href="https://www.23andme.com/ancestry-composition-guide/">Ancestry Composition Guide</a>), in which we observed that Sardinians form a distinct genetic cluster. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-26952 size-large" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Screen-Shot-2019-03-15-at-12.53.17-PM-1024x739.png" alt="23andMe Genetic Clusters - Scatter Plot of Central and South Asian Populations" width="1024" height="739" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Screen-Shot-2019-03-15-at-12.53.17-PM-1024x739.png 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Screen-Shot-2019-03-15-at-12.53.17-PM-300x217.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Screen-Shot-2019-03-15-at-12.53.17-PM-768x555.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Screen-Shot-2019-03-15-at-12.53.17-PM-880x635.png 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Screen-Shot-2019-03-15-at-12.53.17-PM-1180x852.png 1180w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Screen-Shot-2019-03-15-at-12.53.17-PM.png 1986w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />
<h2>What about Population Clusters in Central &amp; South Asia?</h2>
In a <a href="https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/423632v1">recent study</a>, the authors of a group at McGill University in Montreal identified distinct genetic clusters in South Asia.
In this figure (modified from reference 1), we have removed populations from other world regions for clarity. Note that there are two distinct clusters composed of people who say their ancestors were born in Gujarat. Who are these Gujaratis? And what makes them different from other Gujaratis?
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-26953 size-large" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Screen-Shot-2019-03-19-at-4.51.08-PM-1024x670.png" alt="23andMe Genetic Clusters - Scatter Plot of Central and South Asian Populations" width="1024" height="670" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Screen-Shot-2019-03-19-at-4.51.08-PM-1024x670.png 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Screen-Shot-2019-03-19-at-4.51.08-PM-300x196.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Screen-Shot-2019-03-19-at-4.51.08-PM-768x503.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Screen-Shot-2019-03-19-at-4.51.08-PM-880x576.png 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Screen-Shot-2019-03-19-at-4.51.08-PM-1180x772.png 1180w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Screen-Shot-2019-03-19-at-4.51.08-PM.png 1375w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />
23andMe also identified this distinct group of Gujaratis. Through further analyses, surveys, and confirmation from Beta testers, we determined that most individuals have the last name Patel. The Patels of Gujarat are a large community from western India that primarily descends from agricultural and merchant classes. (The name “Patel” is derived from the name “Patidar,” which means “landowner.”)
One reason this group might be so different from other populations in Gujarat is that a distinctive genetic heritage developed over the centuries as Patels favored marriage within their community. The practice of marrying within a small cultural, religious, or otherwise closely-knit community is called “endogamy,” and distinct genetic populations that form as the result of endogamy are found all around the world (including French Canadian, Armenian, and Ashkenazi Jewish populations among many others).
<h2>What else did we find?</h2>
Another cluster we identified comprises people from Kerala—the southwestern-most state on the Indian mainland. These individuals were genetically distinguishable from the residents of neighboring states in southern India, like Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Other groups, like “Central Asian,” “North Indian &amp; Pakistani,” “Bangladeshi &amp; Northeast Indian,” and “Kannadiga, Telugu, Tamil &amp; Sri Lankan,” were more geographically broad. Still, individual customers may be able to see additional granularity in their <a href="https://you.23andme.com/reports/ancestry_composition/broadly_south_asian/">Ancestry Detail Reports</a> (see sample report, below, of a customer with known ancestry from Karnataka).
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-26951 aligncenter" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/AC-39-Sample-Report.png" alt="" width="650" height="338" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/AC-39-Sample-Report.png 512w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/AC-39-Sample-Report-300x156.png 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px" />Finally, there’s a group we’re calling “Central &amp; Southern Indian.” We know they’re genetically distinct, and we have a hypothesis about what makes them distinct. Still, we need our customers’ help to learn more about how people with this genetic ancestry might identify. That’s why our Beta testers’ feedback is so important to us. Your feedback helps us identify solutions, enact them, and make 23andMe features even better for all customers.
It is important to remember that people with ancestry from regions where these populations overlap may see population mixtures in their results. For example, many people from Afghanistan have a combination of “Central Asian,” “North Indian &amp; Pakistani,” and “Western Asian” DNA based on the reference populations chosen for this analysis.
We hope that some of these new genetic populations are now easier to interpret and that you learned something fun about genetic analysis along the way.
At the end of the day, identity is determined by many things, and each customer’s experience is unique when they explore their Ancestry Composition results. With this in mind, we invite you to share your thoughts with us, either through the feedback survey in the Central &amp; South Asian Beta report, or by commenting on the forums.
<h2>Reference:</h2>
<ol>
<li>Diaz-Papkovich A et al. (2018). “Revealing multi-scale population structure in large cohorts.” bioRxiv preprint. doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/423632.</li>
</ol>

23andMe Tests New Asian DNA Test Ancestry Breakdown in Central and South Asia

Each year on July 7th, we celebrate World Swahili Language Day, which honors the importance of the Swahili language in unifying African countries during their struggles for independence in the 20th century. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-medieval-swahili-coast">Medieval Swahili Coast</h2>



In celebration, 23andMe is adding a new historical group to our new 23andMe+ Premium™ membership feature, which may genetically connect you to one or more of hundreds of historical people worldwide. 



The new Medieval Swahili Coast historical group consists of 15 historical individuals who lived along the Swahili Coast between the 13th and 20th centuries CE. 



During the 11th-16th centuries, the Swahili civilization flourished along a 2,000-mile-long stretch of coast spanning parts of present-day Kenya, Tanzania, northern Mozambique, southern Somalia, Comoros islands, and northern Madagascar. The Swahili coast served as a center for medieval trade between peoples of African, South Asian, Arabic, and Persian origin.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-impact-of-trade-on-language">The Impact of Trade on Language</h2>



These long-distance connections played a critical role in the origins of the Swahili language, also known by its local name, Kiswahili. The Swahili language belongs to the Bantu language family, which consists of approximately 600 different languages spoken across Central, Southern, and Eastern Africa. However, Swahili is notable for having many loanwords borrowed from other languages, particularly Arabic, which comprises over 15 percent of the vocabulary. 



While the impact of medieval long-distance trading connections on the Swahili language is clear, the extent to which these foreign traders impacted the genetics of the medieval Swahili people has long been debated. 



In 2023, researchers sequenced the genomes of 80 historical individuals from sites in <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-023-05754-w">six medieval towns along the Swahili coast</a>. This study revealed that prior to 1500 CE, the ancient inhabitants of these coastal towns had a mixture of African and Asian ancestry. 



Further, this mixed ancestry was primarily inherited from female ancestors with African ancestry and male ancestors with Asian (primarily Persian) ancestry. After 1500 CE, the people of the Swahili coast acquired more Arabian-like ancestry, reflecting growing interactions with people from southern Arabia. 



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



Through 23andMe&#8217;s Historical Matches feature, which is available to all <a href="https://www.23andme.com/membership/">23andMe+ Premium members</a>, you can find out if you share a genetic connection to 15 of the individuals whose genomes were sequenced as part of this study and learn more about the Medieval Swahili Coast.



Discover <a href="https://www.23andme.com/compare-dna-tests/">all that 23andMe offers here</a>.

An image of a traditional sailing vessel on the coast of Africa.

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