Among the talks and presentations at the <a href="https://www.ashg.org/meetings/2023meeting/">annual meeting of the American Society of Human Genetics</a> during the first week of November in Washington D.C. will be two poster presentations by 23andMe scientists on new genetic findings around COVID and long COVID.



The poster presentations are part of a collection of presentations, panel discussions, and talks by scientists from 23andMe at this year’s conference.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="477" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/COVID-Image-1024x477.png" alt="A logo for 23andMe's COVID-19 Research Study" class="wp-image-29418" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/COVID-Image-1024x477.png 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/COVID-Image-300x140.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/COVID-Image-768x358.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/COVID-Image-880x410.png 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/COVID-Image-1180x550.png 1180w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/COVID-Image.png 1394w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



23andMe’s Vice President of Genomic Health, Noura Abul-Husn, M.D. Ph.D. will be on a panel focused on returning genetic results to consumers. 23andMe senior research project manager Anjali Shashtri, Ph. D., will talk on a separate panel about 23andMe’s efforts in building trust and research participation within underrepresented populations.



ASHG expects more than 8,000 researchers and clinicians at this year’s meeting, where they&#8217;ll share emerging discoveries and new genetic research.&nbsp;



“Human genetics is transforming science and health at a rapid pace, and ASHG’s 75th anniversary Annual Meeting provides both a milestone in the history of human genetics and genomics and a moment to look to a future in which genetics research improves the health and wellbeing of people everywhere,” said ASHG President Brendan Lee, MD, PhD. “Thousands of our members from across the globe will join to network, share discoveries, and explore new ways to apply genetics knowledge.”



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-23andme-covid-research">23andMe COVID Research</h6>



The two COVID presentations highlight include data on novel genetic variants associated with long COVID and other variants associated with COVID and having the symptom of diarrhea. Other studies have shown that having diarrhea may prolong the time it takes to clear the virus from their bodies, increasing the chances of more severe symptoms.



The two studies are part of ongoing COVID research 23andMe began soon after the pandemic emerged in 2020.&nbsp;



The work has revealed new insights on <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/23andme-research/23andme-covid-study-published/">the role blood type plays</a> in severity and susceptibility to the virus, as well as insights into the genetics that influence <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/23andme-research/reaction-to-covid-vaccine/">different reactions</a> to COVID-19 vaccines. In early 2022, 23andMe published a study in<a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41588-021-00986-w"> Nature Genetics</a> that identified genetic variants associated with the loss of smell or taste due to COVID-19. That paper offers more detail on the study, which identified variants near two olfactory genes — UGT2A1 and UGT2A2.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-long-covid">Long COVID</h6>



The work presented this year at ASHG includes data on novel variants associated with long COVID. The variants are in genes within the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) complex related to immune response. Studies previously revealed an association of one of the variants with COPD, another with an allergic response, and a third with a response to viral infection.&nbsp;



The new data may help as researchers are still trying to determine why some people with COVID develop long COVID. Estimates suggest that between 12 -to- 16 percent of people with COVID will develop long COVID. The risk of long COVID is much higher among COVID patients with symptoms that are serious enough to require hospitalization.&nbsp;&nbsp;



One of the largest of its kind, this study included data from 140,000 23andMe customers who consented to participate in research, 41,000 of whom had long COVID.&nbsp;



The study also confirmed some previous findings and found novel genetic variants associated with long COVID. Among those were that females were likelier to develop long COVID than males. Individuals with long COVID are also more likely to have had depression, smoked cigarettes, or have had high blood pressure than those who do not develop long COVID. In addition, the researchers found genetic correlations between long COVID and conditions such as chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, chronic pain, and depression.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-covid-and-diarrhea">COVID and Diarrhea</h6>



23andMe’s second COVID-related presentation at the ASHG conference includes new genetic findings about individuals with COVID who also experience diarrhea. The study included data from about 140,000 people with COVID who also consented to participate in 23andMe’s research; of that total, about 80,000 reported having diarrhea as a symptom of COVID.



The researchers found several novel genetic variants associated with diarrhea and COVID-19. The strongest association was in the gene CYP7A1, associated with lipid function and cholesterol levels. Researchers also found an association with a variant in the gene CCR9, which was previously associated with susceptibility to COVID. Another variant associated with diarrhea among those with COVID was a variant in the gene GCKR, which is associated with fasting plasma glucose and chronic kidney disease.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-23andme-other-research-presentations">23andMe Other Research Presentations</h6>



The conference will include a broad range of research across the field of genomics.&nbsp;



Along with the presentations on COVID and long COVID and panel discussions, 23andMe scientists will also be presenting some of our latest research on using polygenic risk scores to make earlier diagnoses of diabetes, evaluating the contributions of both rare and common variants in disease risk, and details from the study on the genetic legacy of African Americans from the Catoctin Furnace.&nbsp;



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



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="174" height="87" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/ASHG-logo-75anniversary.png" alt="" class="wp-image-32283"/></figure>



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-23andme-s-presentations-amp-panels">23andMe&#8217;s Presentations &amp; Panels</h6>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Noura Abul-Husn, M.D. Ph.D., 23andMe Vice President of Genomic Health </li>



<li>Presenter: “Returning genomic results to consumers: The DTC approach”</li>



<li>Sat, Nov 4 8:50 &#8211; 9:05 am (ET) </li>



<li>Conv Ctr/Ballroom C/Level 3 </li>



<li>Presenter 04</li>
</ul>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Noura Abul-Husn, M.D. Ph.D., 23andMe Vice President of Genomic Health </li>



<li>Panelist: “Advancing Global Data Sharing and Complex Considerations” </li>



<li>Fri, Nov 3 3:00 &#8211; 4:15 pm (ET) </li>



<li>Conv Ctr/Room 152AB/Level 1</li>
</ul>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Anjali Shastri, Ph.D., 23andMe Senior Research Project Manager</li>



<li>Presenter: “Lessons learned in building trust and engaging underrepresented groups in direct-to-consumer genetic testing” </li>



<li>Sat, Nov 4 1:45 &#8211; 2:00 pm (ET) </li>



<li>Conv Ctr/Room 202A/Level 2</li>



<li>Presenter 06</li>
</ul>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Amy Sturm, Ph.D., 23andMe Director, Population Health Genomics</li>



<li>Session Co-Moderator “Harnessing return of value: Progress in returning genomic results to individuals in diverse, large-scale programs” </li>



<li>Sat, Nov 4 8:30 &#8211; 10:00 am (ET) </li>



<li>Conv Ctr/Ballroom C/Level 3 </li>



<li>Session 92</li>
</ul>



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-posters">Posters</h6>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Stella Aslibekyan, PhD, 23andMe Principal Scientist, Genetic Epidemiology </li>



<li>Poster: “Multi-ancestry analysis of COVID-19+ diarrhea reveals genetic associations with lipid function: a 23andMe Research Study” </li>



<li>Thu, Nov 2 3:00 &#8211; 5:00 pm (ET) </li>



<li>Board number 4160 </li>



<li>Presenter 054</li>
</ul>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Ninad S. Chaudhary, PhD,&nbsp; 23andMe Postdoctoral Fellow, Genetic Epidemiology </li>



<li>Poster: “Genetic architecture of Long COVID indicates associations with immune function, and shared etiology with chronic conditions in European population” </li>



<li>Thu, Nov 02 3:00pm &#8211; 5:00pm (ET) </li>



<li>Board number 1666 </li>



<li>Presenter 121</li>
</ul>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Zachary Fuller, PhD, 23andMe Scientist II, Statistical Geneticist </li>



<li>Poster: “Evaluating the contributions of rare and common variants in disease risk” </li>



<li>Fri, Nov 3; 3:00-5:00 pm ET </li>



<li>Board number 4137 </li>



<li>Presenter 47</li>
</ul>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Chris Germain, PhD, 23andMe Scientist I, Statistical Geneticist &amp; Machine Learning&nbsp;</li>



<li>Poster: “Polygenic risk and early diagnosis of diabetes” </li>



<li>Fri, Nov 3; 3:00-5:00 pm ET </li>



<li>Board number 4323 </li>



<li>Presenter 109</li>
</ul>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Éadaoin Harney, PhD, 23andMe Scientist I, Population Genetics R&amp;D&nbsp;</li>



<li>Poster: “The genetic legacy of African Americans from Catoctin Furnace”</li>



<li>Fri, Nov 3; 3:00-5:00 pm ET</li>



<li>Board number 3122</li>



<li>Presenter 122</li>
</ul>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Sarah Laskey, PhD, 23andMe Senior Scientist, Health R&amp;D&nbsp;</li>



<li>Poster: “Absolute and relative contextualization of polygenic scores in genetically diverse and admixed populations” </li>



<li>Fri, Nov 3; 3:00-5:00 pm ET </li>



<li>Board number 4338 </li>



<li>Presenter 114</li>
</ul>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Yanyu Liang, PhD, 23andMe Scientist I, Statistical Geneticist&nbsp;</li>



<li>Poster: “Credible set is sensitive to imputation quality and missing variants”</li>



<li>Fri, Nov 3; 3:00-5:00 pm ET</li>



<li>Board number 4107</li>



<li>Presenter 037</li>
</ul>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Shubham Saini, PhD, 23andMe Scientist I, Statistical Geneticist&nbsp; </li>



<li>Poster: “Population Scale Analysis of Copy Number Variation in 23andMe Research Cohort” </li>



<li>Fri, Nov 3; 3:00-5:00 pm ET </li>



<li>Board number 4326 </li>



<li>Presenter 110</li>
</ul>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Jingchunzi Shi, PhD, 23andMe Senior Scientist I, Genomics R&amp;D </li>



<li>Poster: “Evaluating genetically-predicted causal effects of lipoprotein(a) in human diseases: a phenome-wide Mendelian randomization study”</li>



<li>Fri, Nov 3; 3:00-5:00 pm ET</li>



<li>Board number 4136</li>



<li>Presenter 046</li>
</ul>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Wei Wang, PhD, 23andMe Senior Scientist I, Statistical Genetics</li>



<li>Poster: “A polygenic risk score of postoperative nausea and vomiting improves risk prediction and shows genetic correlation with CNS conditions including vertigo and motion sickness”</li>



<li>Fri, Nov 3; 3:00-5:00 pm ET</li>



<li>Board number 4209</li>



<li>Presenter 010</li>
</ul>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Amy Williams, PhD, 23andMe Senior Scientist II, Product R&amp;D </li>



<li>Poster: “Reconstructing parent genotypes at direct testing-level accuracy using siblings and other relatives.” </li>



<li>Thurs, Nov 2; 3:00-5:00 pm ET </li>



<li>Board number 3106 </li>



<li>Presenter 106</li>
</ul>



You can find out more about this year’s ASHG meeting <a href="https://www.ashg.org/meetings/2023meeting/">here</a>.

A logo for 23andMe's COVID-19 Research Study

23andMe Blog

23andMe Blog Team

23andMe to Present New COVID Data at ASHG Conference

Today, 23andMe is announcing its new, advanced health membership – <a href="https://www.23andme.com/total-health/">23andMe+ Total Health</a>™, which launches to new consumers in early November.&nbsp;



Total Health is designed to be a comprehensive, prevention-based membership, combining clinical grade exome sequencing, biannual blood testing, and unprecedented access to clinicians trained in genetics. Total Health will also include all the reports and features offered in our existing <a href="https://www.23andme.com/membership/">23andMe+ Premium Membership</a> in addition to these new services.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="640" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/23andme-plus-total-health-1024x640.png" alt="" class="wp-image-32474" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/23andme-plus-total-health-1024x640.png 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/23andme-plus-total-health-300x187.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/23andme-plus-total-health-768x480.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/23andme-plus-total-health-880x550.png 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/23andme-plus-total-health-1180x737.png 1180w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



“We’re bringing the power of genetics into your personal healthcare journey,” said 23andMe’s Vice President of Genomic Health Noura Abul-Husn, M.D. Ph.D. “We’re offering comprehensive genetic testing – including exome sequencing – to help you understand your disease risks, blood testing to check on your health status, and access to clinicians with unique expertise to guide your next steps.”



As a medical geneticist Noura said she wants people to understand how their genetic information is connected to their health. This empowers them to use&nbsp;that knowledge to stay healthy, she said.



“We don’t typically see genetics being used this way in healthcare, but it can, and it should. It’s about prevention,” Noura said. “It’s personal. It’s the whole story. It’s Total Health.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-prevention-focused-future">A prevention-focused future</h2>



Total Health delivers on our mission to help people access, understand and benefit from the human genome. This membership is for individuals who want to augment their current healthcare experience with even more direct access to comprehensive genetic testing, risk assessment in critical health areas, and personalized health plans driven by clinicians with unique knowledge and training in genetics. This is for the consumer who is actively focused on ongoing health management, longevity and direct access to even more testing so they can mitigate, or prevent, disease.



Through the combination of critical health data, including comprehensive and personalized genetic information, blood biomarkers and personal and family medical history, the genetics-trained clinicians can provide risk assessments and help build a highly personalized, preventive health plan.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="639" height="279" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Total-Health-Summary.jpg" alt="An image showing some of what is included in Total Health, exome sequening, bloodd tests, consult with clinician." class="wp-image-32293" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Total-Health-Summary.jpg 639w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Total-Health-Summary-300x131.jpg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 639px) 100vw, 639px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-included">What’s included?</h2>



Exome sequencing



Through advanced exome sequencing, members will receive clinician-ordered genetic testing that looks deeper into high impact genes associated with 55+ health conditions that, if detected early, may have effective preventive measures and clinical interventions. This includes screens for clinically actionable and under-diagnosed hereditary conditions related to cancer, cardiovascular, metabolic, kidney, neurological and other health conditions. This includes all <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/clinvar/docs/acmg/">genes considered medically actionable</a> by the American College of Medical Genetics (ACMG).&nbsp;



Biannual blood testing



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1176" height="966" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/th-desktop.42775e8b272a0a7941b83aa48d04d95c.png" alt="What's included labs, consult and exome sequencing." class="wp-image-32290" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/th-desktop.42775e8b272a0a7941b83aa48d04d95c.png 1176w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/th-desktop.42775e8b272a0a7941b83aa48d04d95c-300x246.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/th-desktop.42775e8b272a0a7941b83aa48d04d95c-768x631.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/th-desktop.42775e8b272a0a7941b83aa48d04d95c-1024x841.png 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/th-desktop.42775e8b272a0a7941b83aa48d04d95c-880x723.png 880w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1176px) 100vw, 1176px" /></figure>



While genetics offers insight into the future, blood testing gives insight into the now. Total Health members will get comprehensive blood tests that assess 55+ biomarkers, including ones that go beyond your routine labs. This includes measuring things like blood sugar levels, kidney, liver and thyroid function, along with cholesterol and advanced lipoprotein levels, which offer ongoing insight for prevention and early detection. Members will receive biannual testing, allowing them to track results and measure progress all within their 23andMe account. Blood testing is initiated by a clinician and members will complete their testing through a local lab offered by a third-party provider.&nbsp;



Access to clinicians trained in genetics



Total Health members will have access to clinicians trained in genetics. Clinicians will review all blood biomarkers, genetic data and personal and family medical history to provide members with personalized risk assessments and help build a preventive health plan tailored to each individual. Members are able to engage in an annual virtual clinician consultation, as well as have ongoing messaging conversations with clinicians about their reports, progress they are making, or to ask questions.



23andMe+ Premium Membership



As part of Total Health, members will gain access to all the premium reports and features delivered through <a href="https://www.23andme.com/membership/">23andMe+ Premium</a>. This includes:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>FDA authorized reports offered through our Health + Ancestry Service*</li>



<li>Polygenic reports (powered by 23andMe research), which look at your genetic likelihood for more common conditions like high LDL cholesterol, asthma and anxiety</li>



<li>Pharmacogenetic reports, which help you understand how your genetics can impact how you process certain medications**</li>



<li>Enhanced ancestry features</li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-expanding-coverage">Expanding coverage</h2>



Historically, 23andMe has offered reports using genotyping technology, a powerful, efficient and accurate way to examine DNA variants at certain pre-identified positions in the genome. The specific positions we look at are known to more commonly vary between individuals that span the entire genome.&nbsp;



However, exome sequencing is an advanced, comprehensive genetic testing technology that involves reading every DNA letter in its correct order within a given piece of the genome. This provides individuals with a more complete picture, surfacing the majority of genetic variants known to be associated with disease risk.



For example, we use genotyping for our BRCA1/BRCA2 (Selected Variants) Genetic Health Risk report*, which looks at 44 variants within the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes associated with breast, ovarian, and prostate cancer. With exome sequencing, Total Health will include reports that look at all the thousands of variants within the coding region of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. We’ll also include thousands of variants in many other genes associated with increased cancer risks.&nbsp;



Our exome sequencing will go beyond cancer to also include clinical interpretations of high impact genes associated with other hereditary health conditions that, if detected early, may have effective prevention measures and clinical interventions.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;



<a href="https://www.23andme.com/total-health/">23andMe+ Total Health</a> offers members a fuller picture of their risk for disease, helping them navigate to a healthier future.&nbsp;



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



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-availability-and-eligibility">Availability and Eligibility</h6>



Total Health is available for those 18 and older in the United States (excluding Hawaii, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island). The 23andMe+ Total Health membership costs $999, with an annual membership renewal of $499 per year.



Learn more about <a href="https://www.23andme.com/total-health/">23andMe+ Total Health™ here</a>.



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



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-important-pgs-test-information">Important PGS Test Information</h6>



*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 which 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 for the purpose of reporting and interpreting genetic health risks and reporting 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.&nbsp;



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-warnings-amp-limitations-nbsp">Warnings &amp; Limitations:&nbsp;</h6>



The 23andMe PGS Genetic Health Risk Report for BRCA1/BRCA2 (Selected Variants) is indicated for reporting of 44 variants in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. The report describes if a person&#8217;s genetic result is associated with an increased risk of developing breast cancer and ovarian cancer and may be associated with an increased risk for prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, and potentially other cancers. The variants included in this report do not represent the majority of the BRCA1/BRCA2 variants in people of most ethnicities. This report does not include variants in other genes linked to hereditary cancers and the absence of variants included in this report does not rule out the presence of other genetic variants that may impact cancer risk. This report is for over-the-counter use by adults over the age of 18, and provides genetic information to inform discussions with a healthcare professional. The PGS test is not a substitute for visits to a healthcare professional for recommended screenings or appropriate follow-up. Results should be confirmed by an independent genetic test prescribed by your own healthcare provider before taking any medical action. For important information and limitations regarding each genetic health risk and carrier status report, visit 23andme.com/test-info.



**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 for the purpose of reporting and interpreting 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 23andme.com/test-info/pharmacogenetics.

A Totally New 23andMe Health Membership: Total Health

Sarah opened her 23andMe report and immediately understood that this was serious.



“I knew it was something I had to take action about right away, and that’s what I did,” she said.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-on-a-whim">On a Whim</h6>



The Bay Area mother of two young children with a thriving career in tech, said she isn’t really sure what prompted her to buy a 23andMe kit for herself and her husband.



“I’m not an overly &#8216;woo woo&#8217; person, but I can’t explain it,” she said. “I knew about 23andMe, and that it was popular, but I can’t explain exactly why I felt so strongly about ordering it.”



<figure class="wp-block-embed 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="Sarah&#039;s 23andMe Story" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IckIRlh406U?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>
</div></figure>



It’s lucky she did.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-brca1-brca2-selected-variants-genetic-health-risk-report">BRCA1/BRCA2 (Selected Variants) Genetic Health Risk Report</h6>



Of course, Sarah was curious about what she’d learn from exploring her DNA, but she didn’t go into the experience looking for a specific insight. She just felt she needed to order it, so she did. The kits arrived in the mail and she and her husband sent off their samples to the lab. A couple of weeks later she got a message in the 23andMe app letting her know her reports were in.



She opted in to view her Health reports, went through a short tutorial then opened her BRCA1/BRCA2 (Selected Variants) Genetic Health Risk Report.*



Right away, Sarah saw the test detected a variant in the BRCA2 gene that put her at higher risk for breast and ovarian cancer. She was stunned. Cancer didn’t run in her family, or at least not that she knew. Her paternal grandparents, both Holocaust survivors, lived long, healthy lives. And she was both fit and healthy herself.



“I knew it wasn’t good,” Sarah said.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-this-is-serious">This is Serious</h6>



We’re sharing Sarah’s story as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Throughout the month of October we’ll be highlighting how 23andMe has helped flagged a risk for those who might not have otherwise learned that they carried a risk variant. Indeed, most people with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 risk variant don’t know they have one, according to a 2018 study by researchers at <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6324494/">Geisinger Health in Pennsylvania</a>.&nbsp;



Like many others, Sarah had no idea she had a risk variant until after she received her 23andMe report. But she’d opened her report just an hour before a birthday party in her honor, so she waited to process the newly received information. About a week later, at the end of an already scheduled annual physical with her general practitioner, she showed her doctor her 23andMe report.



“He said it was serious and told me he was referring me to the Hereditary Cancer Clinic at UCSF,” Sarah said.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-taking-action">Taking Action</h6>



In quick succession, she saw a genetic counselor, was tested at the clinic to confirm that she did indeed carry the variant 23andMe detected, and began meeting with BRCA specialists. Their first recommendation was that she preventatively remove her fallopian tubes and ovaries to completely avoid future cancer risk to those organs. She acted fast, but after that first surgery she wasn’t yet ready for a preventative mastectomy, and instead elected to get a mammogram and MRI twice a year as part of a high risk breast cancer screening protocol, one that she wouldn’t have qualified for without her recent BRCA discovery given her cancer-free family history. But in November of 2022, about a year after first testing with 23andMe, her MRI came back abnormal. A biopsy showed that she had early-stage breast cancer in both breasts.



“I was shocked, but I went into action mode,” Sarah said.&nbsp;



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-knowledge-is-power">Knowledge is Power</h6>



Her doctors recommended she have a double mastectomy, and Sarah agreed and acted quickly. A month later she had surgery including the removal of lymph nodes on each side to test for the spread of any cancer cells outside her breast tissue. When the pathology on her removed breast tissue and nodes came back, Sarah received great news: her lymph nodes were clear and the cancer hadn’t spread. Her bilateral breast cancers had both been extremely small and caught incredibly early. As a result, Sarah didn’t need any post-surgical chemotherapy or radiation, and less than a year since her cancer diagnosis she is back to living her normal, vibrant life.



Sarah said that because of the size and type of cancers, its likely they wouldn’t have been discovered by a regular annual mammogram for many years.Thankfully, due to her high risk status as a BRCA carrier, she was able to get regular MRI’s which lead to early detection. Sarah believes that if she hadn&#8217;t&nbsp; gotten tested through 23andMe, she might not have discovered the cancers until many years later, and by then it may have been too late to successfully treat.



“I really believe 23andMe saved my life,” said Sarah. “If I never received that information I don’t know if I’d be sitting here in a couple of years…knowledge is power and whatever you learn you can act on … so empower yourself and take the test.”



23andMe’s BRCA1/BRCA2 (Selected Variants) Genetic Health Risk Report originally looked at three variants in those genes that are most common in people of Ashkenazi Jewish descent. In August, 23andMe received FDA authorization to add another 41 variants to its report.** Now the report looks at 44 variants. Many of these additional variants are most common in people with African American, Latino, or Asian ancestry. More than 20,000 23andMe customers have one of the variants that will be included in the updated report.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="930" height="760" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/BRCA-2.0-Mobile.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-32247" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/BRCA-2.0-Mobile.jpg 930w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/BRCA-2.0-Mobile-300x245.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/BRCA-2.0-Mobile-768x628.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/BRCA-2.0-Mobile-880x719.jpg 880w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 930px) 100vw, 930px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">23andMe recently added 41 additional variants to its BRCA1/BRCA2 (Selected Variants) report.</figcaption></figure>



<a href="https://www.23andme.com/dna-health-ancestry/">23andMe Health + Ancestry Service</a> customers tested on our latest genotyping chip have access to the expanded report.&nbsp;



Existing customers can view<a href="https://you.23andme.com/reports/ghr.brca_v2/"> their report here</a>. Not yet a customer? You can find out<a href="https://www.23andme.com/compare-dna-tests/"> all that 23andMe has to offer here</a>.



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



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-important-test-information">Important Test Information:</h6>



The 23andMe PGS test uses qualitative genotyping to detect select clinically relevant variants in the genomic DNA of adults from saliva for the purpose of reporting and interpreting genetic health risks, including the 23andMe PGS Genetic Health Risk Report for BRCA1/BRCA2 (Selected Variants). Your ethnicity may affect the relevance of each report and how your genetic health risk results are interpreted. The test is not intended to diagnose any disease and does not describe a person’s overall risk of developing any type of cancer. It 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 treatments. 



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-warnings-amp-limitations">Warnings &amp; Limitations: </h6>



The 23andMe PGS Genetic Health RIsk Report for BRCA1/BRCA2 (Selected Variants) is indicated for reporting of the 185delAG and 5382insC variants in the BRCA1 gene and the 6174delT variant in the BRCA2 gene. The report describes if a woman is at increased risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer, and if a man is at increased risk of developing breast cancer or may be at increased risk of developing prostate cancer.&nbsp; The three variants included in this report are most common in people of Ashkenazi Jewish descent and do not represent the majority of BRCA1/BRCA2 variants in the general population. This report does not include variants in other genes linked to hereditary cancers and the absence of variants included in this report does not rule out the presence of other genetic variants that may impact cancer risk. The PGS test is not a substitute for visits to a healthcare professional for recommended screenings or appropriate follow-up. Results should be confirmed in a clinical setting before taking any medical action.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-important-test-information-for-updated-report">Important Test Information for Updated Report:</h6>



**The 23andMe PGS test uses qualitative genotyping to detect select clinically relevant variants in the genomic DNA of adults from saliva for the purpose of reporting and interpreting genetic health risks, including the 23andMe PGS Genetic Health Risk Report for BRCA1/BRCA2 (Selected Variants). Your ethnicity may affect the relevance of each report and how your genetic health risk results are interpreted. The test is not intended to diagnose any disease and does not describe a person&#8217;s overall risk of developing any type of cancer. It 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 treatments. 



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-warnings-amp-limitations-0">Warnings &amp; Limitations: </h6>



The 23andMe PGS Genetic Health Risk Report for BRCA1/BRCA2 (Selected Variants) is indicated for reporting of 44 variants in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. The report describes if a person&#8217;s genetic result is associated with an increased risk of developing breast cancer and ovarian cancer and may be associated with an increased risk for prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, and potentially other cancers. The variants included in this report do not represent the majority of the BRCA1/BRCA2 variants in people of most ethnicities. This report does not include variants in other genes linked to hereditary cancers and the absence of variants included in this report does not rule out the presence of other genetic variants that may impact cancer risk. This report is for over-the-counter use by adults over the age of 18, and provides genetic information to inform discussions with a healthcare professional. The PGS test is not a substitute for visits to a healthcare professional for recommended screenings or appropriate follow-up. Results should be confirmed by an independent genetic test prescribed by your own healthcare provider before taking any medical action.

A photo of Sara at home with her daughter.

Sarah’s 23andMe Report Leads to Preventative Action

<h2>Our Alcoholism &amp; Genetics Study</h2>
Editor&#8217;s note: This article has been edited since it was first published in 2018. 
Building off of work done in 2017, a team of researchers led by scientists at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine has identified new genetic variants associated with alcohol dependence in what is the largest genetic study of alcoholism ever done.
The <a href="https://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/doi/full/10.1176/appi.ajp.2018.18040369">study</a>, published in the <a href="https://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/action/captchaChallenge?redirectUri=%2F">American Journal of Psychiatry,</a> identified more than a dozen variants associated with &#8220;alcohol use disorder,&#8221; many of them identified for the first time.
The top hits were near genes that play a role in alcohol metabolism. While there is overlap between alcohol use disorder and alcohol consumption, the researchers did further analysis and found a “distinct genetic architecture” differentiating alcohol abuse from alcohol consumption. And these distinctions will be important for identifying the genetics of addiction, the researchers said.
<h2>What is Alcohol Use Disorder?</h2>
Alcohol use disorder, more commonly known as alcoholism, is characterized by an inability to control ones drinking because of a physical or emotional dependence of alcohol. Simply put it is an addiction to alcohol.
Researchers in this study found an overlapping association between alcohol abuse and psychiatric conditions such as depression, attention-deficit disorder, and schizophrenia. There was also overlap with other substance abuse issues including smoking, cannabis use and “increased consumption of multiple drug types.”
“We have shown that genetic risk for problematic alcohol drinking overlaps with psychopathology, including increased genetic risk for major depression, schizophrenia, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder,” said co-author of the study Sandra Sanchez Roige, Ph.D., at, of UC San Diego School of Medicine&#8217;s Department of Psychiatry.
<h2>The Genetics of Alcoholism</h2>
The researchers used a questionnaire completed by participants to differentiate problem drinking from casual alcohol consumption, an important distinction in this study. Researchers were able to create a score for alcohol use, relying on an Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT) that measures a broad spectrum of alcohol consumption. This in turn allowed the researchers to distinguish between casual drinking, alcohol abuse, and alcohol addiction, and identify that high scores were genetically correlated with a clinical diagnosis of alcohol dependence. The study also found that in contrast occasional drinking is associated with lower rates of depression, longer time in school, and lower rates of obesity.
“In fact, using this questionnaire in a population not ascertained for alcohol use disorders we have been able to achieve the largest sample size even obtained in the field of alcohol use disorders,” said Sanchez Roige.
<h2>Other Addictive Behavior</h2>
These findings are important for researchers because of similar overlap with other addictive behavior, said lead researcher<a href="https://profiles.ucsd.edu/abraham.palmer"> Prof. Abraham Palmer</a>.
<div id="attachment_25919" style="width: 1073px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-25919" class="wp-image-25919 size-full" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Abraham-Palmer-photo.jpg" alt="" width="1063" height="1600" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Abraham-Palmer-photo.jpg 1063w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Abraham-Palmer-photo-199x300.jpg 199w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Abraham-Palmer-photo-768x1156.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Abraham-Palmer-photo-680x1024.jpg 680w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Abraham-Palmer-photo-585x880.jpg 585w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Abraham-Palmer-photo-784x1180.jpg 784w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1063px) 100vw, 1063px" />Prof. Abraham Palmer</div>
“In terms of sample size, this is the largest sample ever used for a genetic study of alcoholism,” Palmer said. “Unlike prior efforts that focused on clinical diagnoses, which are relatively slow expensive on a per subject basis, our study used a 10-item screening questionnaire, that was originally developed by the World Health Organization. As a result, our collaboration with 23andme was done entirely via the Internet. That means it scales well; indeed, we plan to increase the sample size dramatically in the coming years.”
<h2>Health Costs of Alcohol Abuse</h2>
The study is also important because of the massive health and socio-economic impacts of substance abuse in general. Even just looking at alcohol alone there is a vast health cost, with more than 3.3 million people worldwide die each year from excessive alcohol use, according to the<a href="http://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/alcohol"> World Health Organization</a>. In the United States, the economic costs of alcohol abuse are estimated to be as high as $249 billion each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
While there are environmental and social factors that influence the risk for alcoholism, there is also a genetic component.
Scientists have learned through studies of identical and non-identical twins that alcohol use disorder is heritable, with genetic factors accounting for about half of the risk of alcohol dependence. But finding the genes that influence alcoholism has been challenging. Part of the challenge has been to gather a study that is large enough to detect a genetic signal, said Palmer.
<h2>Big Data</h2>
But the ability to tap into “big data” such as 23andMe’s research cohort as well as the UK Biobank, which Palmer and his team used for this study, has opened up new research opportunities for those studying behavioral traits — like addiction and substance abuse — as well as neuropsychiatric conditions and personality.
With data from more than 140,000 individuals, including aggregated data from 20,000 23andMe customers who consented to participate in research, this study was large enough to detect more than a dozen genetic variants associated with the alcohol use disorder.
“By studying different subsets,” according to the researchers. “We identify genetic factors that may be specific to problem drinking.”
The researchers believe that even larger studies may help to differentiate the genetics behind alcohol addiction.
“Our main focus is on further increasing sample size,” said Palmer. “Also, the present study focused on individuals of European ancestry, that’s because we had the largest sample in that group, however, we are very much interested in developing well-powered samples in other l populations.”
Beyond that, Palmer and his team want to develop a better understand of how the genes they’ve identified might influence these traits, but using animal and cellular models.
“Those biological insights are critical to potentially developing better strategies for prevention and treatment of alcoholism and related psychiatric disorders,” he said.

An image of a person drinking straight from a wine bottle

Is Alcoholism Genetic? Understanding the Genetics of Alcoholism

Expands Coverage for Underrepresented Populations



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="930" height="760" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/BRCA-2.0-Mobile.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-32247" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/BRCA-2.0-Mobile.jpg 930w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/BRCA-2.0-Mobile-300x245.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/BRCA-2.0-Mobile-768x628.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/BRCA-2.0-Mobile-880x719.jpg 880w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 930px) 100vw, 930px" /></figure>



As we recognize Breast Cancer Awareness Month, 23andMe is also releasing its expanded BRCA1/BRCA2 (Selected Variants) Genetic Health Risk report,* adding 41 additional variants to the report. Many of these variants are more common in people of African American, Hispanic/Latino, and Asian descent.



All of these variants are associated with a higher likelihood of breast, ovarian, prostate, and pancreatic cancer, no matter your ancestry. This new addition builds upon 23andMe’s original BRCA1/BRCA2 (Selected Variants) Genetic Health Risk report, which in 2018 received the first-ever FDA authorization for a direct-to-consumer genetic health risk test for cancer. The original report provided information on three BRCA1/2 variants, most prevalent in those with Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-addressing-health-disparities-in-cancer-risk-detection">Addressing Health Disparities in Cancer Risk Detection</h6>



Adding additional variants to the BRCA1/BRCA2 (Selected Variants) Genetic Health Risk report will expand the number of people benefitting from the report. Studies have found that <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6324494/">more than 80 percent</a> of people with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 risk variant don’t know they have it. Many do not have a family history of cancer that would qualify them for traditional genetic testing through a healthcare professional. Layered onto that are disparities in access to BRCA1/2 genetic testing in some communities in the U.S., including the Black, Hispanic/Latino, and Asian communities. Black Americans also experience <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36190501/">dramatic disparities in breast cancer outcomes</a>, according to published research by the American Cancer Society.&nbsp;



“While the incidence of breast cancer is higher in white women, Black women are more likely to die of breast cancer,” said Vina Morris, a two-time breast cancer survivor and founder of the breast cancer awareness organization AfroPink. “This startling health disparity may be explained through lack of access to quality healthcare and delayed screening, which prevents earlier detection and more promising treatment options.”



<a href="https://afropink.org/who-we-are/">AfroPink</a> is a non-profit breast cancer awareness organization that focuses on dispelling myths about the disease within the Afro-American community. The group also provides resources and encourages prevention.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-coverage-helping-more-people">More Coverage Helping More People</h6>



Vina attended a recent Breast Cancer Awareness Month event in New York City. She was there with 23andMe’s Vice President of Genomic Health, Noura Abul-Husn, MD, PhD. Noura highlighted the expanded coverage of 23andMe’s BRCA1/BRCA2 (Selected Variants) Genetic Health Risk report. Noura noted that more than 20,000 23andMe customers — including both female and male customers — have one of the risk variants included in the updated report.&nbsp;



The 44 genetic variants included in the report account for about 30-to-40 percent of cancer-related BRCA variants among people of African American, non-Ashkenazi European, and Hispanic/Latino descent. The added variants also include several in people of East Asian and South Asian descent. Thousands of variants within the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes confer an increased risk for cancer. While this report includes some more common variants, it does not include all BRCA risk variants. Knowing one has a variant offers customers a chance to discuss options with their healthcare provider. This might involve getting confirmatory genetic testing or taking preventive action. They may also include enhanced surveillance of prophylactic surgery or medication. 



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-availability">Availability</h6>



The expanded report is available to existing 23andMe Health + Ancestry Service customers who were genotyped on 23andMe’s <a href="https://customercare.23andme.com/hc/en-us/articles/218392668-Upgrading-to-23andMe-s-Newest-Chip-Version">latest genotyping chip</a>, V5. As with select other Genetic Health Risk reports*, customers must specifically opt-in if they want to view the the report. The report also includes an education module. This ensures customers are thoroughly informed on what they can learn, the report&#8217;s limitations, and how to use the results.



The 23andMe BRCA1/BRCA2 (Selected Variants) Genetic Health Risk report utilizes the same informational concepts previously demonstrated in studies submitted to the FDA for its Genetic Health Risk reports. Those were shown to have 90 percent or greater overall user comprehension in a demographically diverse population study.&nbsp;



23andMe also carried out robust analytical validation studies to <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/brca1-brca2">meet FDA requirements</a>. This allowed 23andMe to add variants to the BRCA1/BRCA2 (Selected Variants) Genetic Health Risk report. Each variant tested demonstrated &gt;99 percent concordance with Sanger sequencing. 23andMe also showed &gt;99 percent reproducibility when tested under different laboratory conditions.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-find-out-more">Find Out More</h6>



23andMe Health + Ancestry customers on the lastest chip who want to see their <a href="https://you.23andme.com/reports/ghr.brca_v2/">BRCA1/BRCA2 (Selected Variants) Genetic Health Risk report can go here.</a>



Not yet a customer? Find out more about 23andMe’s Health + Ancestry Service and all the other services offered to customers <a href="https://www.23andme.com/compare-dna-tests/">here</a>.



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



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-disclaimer">Disclaimer</h6>



**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 which 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 for the purpose of reporting and interpreting genetic health risks and reporting 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.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nbsp-warnings-amp-limitations">&nbsp;Warnings &amp; Limitations: </h6>



The 23andMe PGS Genetic Health Risk Report for BRCA1/BRCA2 (Selected Variants) is indicated for reporting of 44 variants in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. The report describes if a person&#8217;s genetic result is associated with an increased risk of developing breast cancer and ovarian cancer. These variants also may be associated with an increased risk for prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, and potentially other cancers. The variants included in this report do not represent the majority of the BRCA1/BRCA2 variants in people of most ethnicities. This report does not include variants in other genes linked to hereditary cancers. In addition, the absence of variants included in this report does not rule out the presence of other genetic variants that may impact cancer risk. This report is for over-the-counter use by adults over the age of 18. It provides genetic information to inform discussions with a healthcare professional. The PGS test is not a substitute for visits to a healthcare professional for recommended screenings or appropriate follow-up. Results should be confirmed by an independent genetic test prescribed by your own healthcare provider before taking any medical action. For important information and limitations regarding each genetic health risk report, visit 23andme.com/test-info.&nbsp;

23andMe Updates BRCA1/2 Report

New 23andMe Italian Genetic Groups for Italian American Heritage Day&nbsp;



Next time you mangi i fusilli bucati, note the similarities between the chewy, spiral noodles and a DNA double helix. Visualize each noodle as a piece of your DNA that links you to your ancestors: this noodle comes from Nonna Elisabetta, and she got it from her Nonna, Vittoria. This noodle comes from great-grandpa Giuseppe. That one from Celestina. You realize Celestina had curly hair like you, not unlike the fusilli bucati you’re savoring.&nbsp;&nbsp;



And perhaps you, like fusilli, trace your roots to southern Italy.&nbsp;



Now, for Italian American Heritage day, October 12th, 2023, 23andMe is introducing 59 new Italian Genetic Groups, to help customers who tested on the <a href="https://customercare.23andme.com/hc/en-us/articles/218392668-Upgrading-to-23andMe-s-Newest-Chip-Version">latest genotyping chip</a> learn even more about their fusilli, er…rather, their Italian genetic ancestry.&nbsp;



Before we dive into that, a little history. Following the unification of Italy in 1861, southern Italians experienced worsening economic conditions due to policies that heavily favored the industrialized north at the expense of the more agricultural south, in addition to other factors such as soil exhaustion. As a result, between 1880 and the First World War, over four million Italians — most from the southern Italian provinces of Campania, Abruzzo, Apulia, Basilicata, and Sicily — immigrated to the United States.&nbsp;



While many Italians eventually returned home, more remained in the United States and were later joined by other family members — or started families of their own, leaving a lasting imprint on America’s genetic tapestry. Today, <a href="https://www.census.gov/newsroom/stories/italian-american-heritage-culture-month.html">over 16 million people</a> in the United States report Italian ancestry, making it the fifth-most reported ancestry behind German, English, Irish and “American.”



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="868" height="414" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/ancestryitalian_us_R2_global-e1697057601847.png" alt="" class="wp-image-32234" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/ancestryitalian_us_R2_global-e1697057601847.png 868w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/ancestryitalian_us_R2_global-e1697057601847-300x143.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/ancestryitalian_us_R2_global-e1697057601847-768x366.png 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 868px) 100vw, 868px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">23andMe Italian genetic ancestry around the world</figcaption></figure>



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-italian-genetic-ancestry-at-23andme">Italian Genetic Ancestry at 23andMe</h6>



23andMe’s 59 new Italian Genetic Groups reflect the regional differences within the country, with a rich tapestry of dialects, food and culture. Many 23andMe customers who tested on the <a href="https://customercare.23andme.com/hc/en-us/articles/218392668-Upgrading-to-23andMe-s-Newest-Chip-Version">latest genotyping chip</a> and have Italian ancestry can explore where their DNA traces to in Italy. Over 95% of customers with more than 50% Italian ancestry will receive a match to one or more of these Genetic Groups, and over 63% of customers with more than 5% of Italian ancestry will receive a match.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="638" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Screenshot-2023-10-09-at-9.36.48-AM-1024x638.png" alt="A map of Italy and the regions included in 23andMe's most recent update." class="wp-image-32238" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Screenshot-2023-10-09-at-9.36.48-AM-1024x638.png 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Screenshot-2023-10-09-at-9.36.48-AM-300x187.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Screenshot-2023-10-09-at-9.36.48-AM-768x479.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Screenshot-2023-10-09-at-9.36.48-AM-880x548.png 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Screenshot-2023-10-09-at-9.36.48-AM-1180x735.png 1180w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A map showing the locations of the 59 new Italian Genetic Groups</figcaption></figure>



Below are the lists of Genetic Groups 23andMe has added as part of this update (most common matches are in bold)



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-northern-italy">Northern Italy</h6>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Central Ligurian Apennines and Western Emilia-Romagna</li>



<li>Marche and the Central Adriatic Coast</li>



<li>Western Arno Basin and Magra Valley</li>



<li>Adige River Basin</li>



<li>Central Arno Basin</li>



<li>Western Gulf of Genoa and the Monregalese</li>



<li>Western Po Valley</li>



<li>Central Lombardian Prealps</li>



<li>Central Po Valley</li>



<li>Northern Po Valley</li>



<li>Northwestern Po Valley</li>



<li>Southeastern Po Valley</li>



<li>Dolomites Region</li>



<li>Friuli-Venezia Giulia</li>



<li>Garda Mountains</li>



<li>Modena and Reggio Emilia</li>



<li>Northeastern Venetian Plain</li>



<li>Northwestern Venetian Plain</li>



<li>Southern Venetian Plain</li>



<li>The Valtellina</li>



<li>Western Great Pre-Alpine Lakes</li>



<li>Corsica and Southern France</li>
</ul>



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-southern-italy">Southern Italy</h6>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>La Sila</li>



<li>Latin Valley</li>



<li>Molise</li>



<li>Sangro River Valley</li>



<li>Eastern Bari</li>



<li>Lucanian Apennines</li>



<li>Salento Peninsula</li>



<li>Southern Gulf of Naples</li>



<li>Northern Gulf of Naples</li>



<li>Isthmus of Catanzaro</li>



<li>Irpinia Region</li>



<li>Campanian Valley</li>



<li>Southern Calabrian Apennines</li>



<li>Calabrian Serre</li>



<li>Foggia</li>



<li>Vibo Valentia Peninsula and Gioia Tauro Valley</li>



<li>Volturno Valley and the Matese</li>



<li>Pescara and Vomano Valleys</li>



<li>L’Aquila</li>



<li>Western Bari</li>
</ul>



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sicily">Sicily</h6>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Gulfs of Palermo and Castellammare</li>



<li>Gulf of Termini Imerese</li>



<li>Malta and South Central Sicily</li>



<li>Central Sicily</li>



<li>Eastern Messina</li>



<li>Platani Basin</li>



<li>Southern Trapani</li>



<li>Northern Trapani</li>



<li>Western Messina and the Aeolian Islands</li>



<li>Mount Etna and the Simeto Basin</li>



<li>Eleuterio Basin</li>



<li>Ragusa Hyblaean Plateau</li>



<li>Syracuse Hyblaean Plateau</li>



<li>Sciacca Verdura Basin</li>
</ul>



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sardinia">Sardinia</h6>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Northeastern Sardinian Highlands</li>



<li>Campidano Plain and Gennargentu Mountains</li>



<li>Coghinas, Mannu, and Temo Basins&nbsp;</li>
</ul>



More on the update



About 4 percent of customers who’ve tested on the <a href="https://customercare.23andme.com/hc/en-us/articles/218392668-Upgrading-to-23andMe-s-Newest-Chip-Version">latest genotyping chip</a> receive a match to one or more Genetic Groups in Southern Italy, 2.4 percent&nbsp; receive a match to one or more groups in Sicily, 1.4 percent to one or more groups in northern Italy, and less than 1% to groups in Sardinia.



Many customers with Italian ancestry may already have a Country Match to Italy, as well as subregion insights.&nbsp;



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-top-5-italian-administrative-subregions-among-23andme-customers-nbsp">The top 5 Italian administrative subregions among 23andMe customers&nbsp;</h6>



<ol class="wp-block-list">
<li>Sicily &#8211; 4 million customers share DNA with people who report recent ancestry from Sicily</li>



<li>Campania &#8211; 3 million customers share DNA with people who report recent ancestry from Campania</li>



<li>Calabria &#8211; 2.5 million customers share DNA with people who report recent ancestry from Calabria</li>



<li>Apulia &#8211; 1.9 million customers share DNA with people who report recent ancestry from Apulia&nbsp;</li>



<li>Abruzzo &#8211; 1.7 million customers share DNA with people who report recent ancestry from&nbsp; Abruzzo</li>
</ol>



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ancestry-composition-update">Ancestry Composition update</h6>



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 also correspond to cultural and linguistic regions.&nbsp;&nbsp;



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-find-out-more">Find out more</h6>



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’s Ancestry Service and other services</a>.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="626" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/fare_una_bella_figura-1024x626.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-32237" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/fare_una_bella_figura-1024x626.jpeg 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/fare_una_bella_figura-300x183.jpeg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/fare_una_bella_figura-768x470.jpeg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/fare_una_bella_figura-880x538.jpeg 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/fare_una_bella_figura-1180x722.jpeg 1180w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/fare_una_bella_figura.jpeg 2000w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-parting-thoughts">Parting thoughts</h6>



We leave you with a taste of Italy — Learn how to fare una bella figura



Ever wonder what the secret is to an elderly Italian gentleman’s impeccable outfit — like a perfectly draped scarf? Or why an Italian chef can make a few simple ingredients (fresh basil, mozzarella, and ripe tomato) taste so delicious? Fare una bella figura translates to “to make a beautiful impression,” and captures the essence of how Italians aspire to bring aesthetic beauty to everything they do and make.



Happy Italian American Heritage Day!

A heatmap of the United States showing concentrations of 23andMe customers with Italian Ancestry.

Italian Genes and American Dreams

Update: December 5, 2023 2:45 PM PST



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-credential-stuffing-incident-what-happened">Credential Stuffing Incident: What happened?</h2>



As our investigation comes to a close, we wanted to share the details of what took place and our findings.&nbsp;



In early October, we learned that a threat actor accessed a select number of individual 23andMe.com accounts through a process called credential stuffing. That is, usernames and passwords that were used on 23andMe.com were the same as those used on other websites that have been previously compromised or otherwise available. We do not have any indication that there was a data security incident within our systems, or that 23andMe was the source of the account credentials used in these attacks.&nbsp;



The threat actor used the compromised accounts to access information shared with these accounts. Specifically, DNA Relatives profiles connected to these compromised accounts, which consist of information that a customer chooses to make available to their genetic relatives when they opt in to participate in 23andMe’s DNA Relatives feature. A DNA Relatives profile includes information such as display name, predicted relationships, and percentage of DNA shared with matches. You can find a full list of the types of information included in a DNA Relatives profile <a href="https://customercare.23andme.com/hc/en-us/articles/212170838">here</a>.



Additionally, through the compromised accounts, the threat actor accessed a feature called Family Tree, which includes a limited subset of DNA Relatives profile information. The Family Tree feature does not include ancestry information such as the percentage of DNA shared with genetic matches or ancestry reports.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-the-threat-actor-accessed-nbsp">What the Threat Actor Accessed&nbsp;</h2>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>The threat actor was able to access less than 0.1%, or roughly 14,000 user accounts, of the existing 14 million 23andMe customers through credential stuffing.&nbsp;</li>



<li>The threat actor used the compromised credential stuffed accounts to access the information included in a significant number of DNA Relatives profiles (approximately 5.5 million) and Family Tree feature profiles (approximately 1.4 million), each of which were connected to the compromised accounts.</li>
</ul>



Since detecting the incident, we emailed all customers to notify them of the investigation and are continuing to notify impacted customers, based on applicable laws. We also required every 23andMe customer to reset their password. In addition, 23andMe now requires all new and existing customers to login using two-step verification. Protecting our customers’ data privacy and security remains a top priority for 23andMe, and we will continue to invest in protecting our systems and data.



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



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-security-incident-updates">Security Incident Updates</h2>



Update: December 1, 2023 3:45 PM PST



23andMe has completed its investigation, assisted by third-party forensics experts. We are in the process of notifying affected customers, as required by law.&nbsp;



We have taken steps to further protect customer data, including requiring all existing customers to reset their password and requiring two-step verification for all new and existing customers. The company will continue to invest in protecting our systems and data.



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



Updated: November 6, 2023 7:45 AM PST



Starting today, we are requiring all customers to utilize email 2-step verification (2SV) as an&nbsp;added&nbsp;layer of protection for their account.&nbsp;New customers will be automatically enrolled in email 2SV when they create their account. Existing customers who do not already use an authenticator app will also be automatically enrolled in email 2SV, and will receive an email containing their verification code at their next sign-in. You can read <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/enhanced-customer-security-at-23andme-with-2-step-verification">more on our blog post</a>.



Update: October 20, 2023 9:35 PM PST



As part of the ongoing security investigation, we have temporarily disabled some features within the DNA Relatives tool as an additional precaution to protect the privacy of our customers.



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



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-actions-has-23andme-taken">What actions has 23andMe taken?</h2>



Update: October 9, 2023 8:25 PM PST



Our investigation continues and we have engaged the assistance of third-party forensic experts. We are also working with federal law enforcement officials.&nbsp;



We are reaching out to our customers to provide an update on the investigation and to encourage them to take additional actions to keep their account and password secure. Out of caution, we are requiring that all customers reset their passwords and are encouraging the use of multi-factor authentication (MFA).



If we learn that a customer’s data has been accessed without their authorization, we will notify them directly with more information.



Please continue to follow this blog for updates as our investigation continues



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



October 6, 2023



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-credential-stuffing-attack">Credential Stuffing Attack</h2>



We recently learned that certain 23andMe customer profile information that they opted into sharing through our <a href="https://customercare.23andme.com/hc/en-us/articles/212170838">DNA Relatives feature</a>, was compiled from individual 23andMe.com accounts without the account users’ authorization.



After learning of suspicious activity, we immediately began an investigation.&nbsp; While we are continuing to investigate this matter, we believe threat actors were able to access certain accounts in instances where users recycled login credentials – that is, usernames and passwords that were used on <a href="https://www.23andme.com/">23andMe.com</a> were the same as those used on other websites that have been previously hacked. 



We believe that the threat actor may have then, in violation of our <a href="https://www.23andme.com/legal/terms-of-service/#requirements-and-conditions">Terms of Service</a>, accessed <a href="https://www.23andme.com/">23andMe.com</a> accounts without authorization and obtained information from certain accounts, including information about users’ DNA Relatives profiles, to the extent a user opted into that service.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-committed-to-safety-and-security">Committed to Safety and Security</h2>



23andMe is committed to providing you with a safe and secure place where you can learn about your DNA knowing your privacy is protected. We are continuing to investigate to confirm these preliminary results. We do not have any indication at this time that there has been a data security incident within our systems, or that 23andMe was the source of the account credentials used in these attacks.&nbsp;



At 23andMe, we take security seriously. We exceed industry data protection standards and have achieved three different ISO certifications to demonstrate the strength of our security program.&nbsp; We actively and routinely monitor and audit our systems to ensure that your data is protected.&nbsp; When we receive information through those processes or from other sources claiming customer data has been accessed by unauthorized individuals, we immediately investigate to validate whether this information is accurate. Since 2019 we’ve offered and encouraged users to use multi-factor authentication (MFA), which provides an extra layer of security and can prevent bad actors from accessing an account through recycled passwords.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-recommendations">Recommendations </h2>



We encourage our customers to take as much action to keep their account and password secure. Out of caution, we recommend taking the following steps:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Confirm you have a strong password, one that is not easy to guess and that is unique to your 23andMe account. If you are not sure whether you have a strong password for your account, reset it by following the steps outlined <a href="https://customercare.23andme.com/hc/en-us/articles/202907580-Forgot-Your-Password-#:~:text=You%20are%20able%20to%20reset,the%20Send%20Reset%20Email%20button.">here</a>.&nbsp;</li>



<li>Please be sure to enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) on your 23andMe account. You can enable MFA by following the steps outlined <a href="https://customercare.23andme.com/hc/en-us/articles/360034119874-Adding-2-Step-Verification-to-Your-23andMe-Account">here</a>.</li>



<li>Review our <a href="https://customercare.23andme.com/hc/en-us/articles/360062175913-Privacy-and-Security-Help-Center">Privacy and Security Checkup</a> page with additional information on how to keep your account secure.</li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-need-assistance-customer-care-is-available">Need Assistance? Customer Care is Available</h2>



23andMe is here to support you. Please contact Customer Care at <a href="mailto:customercare@23andme.com">customercare@23andme.com</a> if you need assistance with navigating these important steps to protect your account.

An image of a lock a computer, DNA and a mobile phone representing security protections.

Addressing Data Security Concerns – Action Plan

<a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s42003-023-05241-y">A study by scientists from 23andMe’s Therapeutics</a> team offers new insights into the structural properties of nanobodies, a type of antibody but with a different structure and shape making them much more adaptable for drug development. The findings from this new study could help in developing targeted therapies, new treatments, and new diagnostic tools.



“By combining 3D structural information of antibodies with the genetic information we gained a unique insight on how the immune system functions to generate nanobodies,” said Patrick Koenig, director in <a href="https://www.23andme.com/therapeutics/">23andMe Therapeutics</a>’ Antibody &amp; Protein Engineering team and lead author of the study. “We believe using this deeper understanding will help us to generate better nanobody-based drugs faster.&#8221;



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-first-line-of-defense">First Line of Defense</h6>



Antibodies, produced in B-cells, are our bodies’ first line of defense against disease. They attack infection, or malignant growths. These and other foreign invaders, known as antigens, trigger an immune response and the production of antibodies that defend against them.&nbsp;



Drug hunters have long enlisted antibodies in their search for new treatments and diagnostics for disease. The quest for scientists is to help our bodies create antibodies that target specific cancers, diseases, or infections, while leaving healthy cells alone.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-camels-llamas-and-alpacas">Camels, Llamas and Alpacas</h6>



For more than three decades drug hunters have leaned heavily on an unlikely ally in this effort, camelids — camels, llamas, and alpacas — as part of this quest for new targeted therapies. These animals, and a few others, produce slightly different types of antibodies.&nbsp;



Camelids produce antibodies that are smaller — hence the name nanobodies — and have a different shape. The distinctive shape is described in their name single-variable, heavy chain-only antibodies. They are also known as VHH antibodies or nanobodies, but the long name is a reference to their shape and size. That difference in shape and size — especially at the distinctive Y-shaped tips of these nanobodies — makes them much more adaptable. Nanobodies more easily fit and bind to proteins that block viruses and other invaders from infecting cells in the body. 



In 2019 the FDA approved the first treatment developed from a nanobody for use against a rare blood disorder.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-kinked-and-extended">Kinked and Extended</h6>



The VHH nanobodies can be grouped into two types based on their 3D shape. One has a distinctive kinked end, the other has an extended end. Understanding the structure of these nanobodies — why they are shaped the way they are, and the process involved in how they are formed — could help scientists engineer nanobodies with improved characteristics tailored to fight against certain diseases.



The study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s42003-023-05241-y">Communication Biology</a>. The research, completed by scientists in 23andMe’s Therapeutics team, offers insights into how the different shapes of nanobodies are formed. It also illustrated how those nanobodies interact differently with antigen to perform their binding function. The study indicates that the structure of these nanobodies are not random but rather the result of specific selection processes during B-cell development in the immune response.



Learn more about the work of <a href="https://www.23andme.com/therapeutics/">23andMe Therapeutics here</a>.

Structure of Antibodies Plays a Role in Targeted Therapies

<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-9735 size-full" title="segments" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/segments.jpg" alt="" width="357" height="221" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/segments.jpg 357w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/segments-300x186.jpg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 357px) 100vw, 357px" />
Editor&#8217;s Note: This was first published in 2011, but we&#8217;re republishing it now after making a few updates.
Just a few thin green segments on my fourth and seventh chromosomes sent me searching.
I wanted to know more about my family history. I pestered my mom with questions about her parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents. I even went digging on my own into birth records, old newspaper clippings, and state archives.
<h2>A Glance at African DNA Through History </h2>
Eventually, I wandered into family history records on the plains of Nebraska, Iowa, and then the hills of West Virginia.
I wanted to know what those segments represented – or, more accurately – who they represented.
I’m white.
My hair, or at least the hair I once had, is blond. (That&#8217;s me on the left with my brother when we were kids.) Our heritage is solidly English, Irish, and German. I named my son after a Gaelic folk hero.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright size-full wp-image-9737" title="Kid Picture" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Kid-Picture.jpg" alt="" width="205" height="265" />
But those thin green segments in my 23andMe Ancestry Painting meant that one of my grandmother’s great-grandmothers, or one of her great-grandfathers, was black.
<h2>Hidden History</h2>
It’s no secret, or it shouldn’t be, that a majority of African Americans have European ancestry — on average between 20 and 25 percent. It’s one of those vestiges of America’s history of slavery.
“For anyone still naive enough to believe in the myth of racial purity, it is one more corroboration that the social categories of &#8216;white&#8217; and &#8216;black&#8217; are and always have been more porous than can be imagined,” wrote Harvard Professor Henry Louis “Skip” Gates Jr. in <a href="https://historynewsnetwork.org/article/118292">an article</a> about Michelle Obama’s ancestry.
<h2>What Does it Mean to have 1% African Ancestry?</h2>
While much has been written about European ancestry among African Americans, what’s less well known is how many Americans, like me, who consider themselves white also have African ancestry.
Researchers at 23andMe looked at the genetic ancestry of about 78,000 customers likely to consider themselves to be entirely of European ancestry. They found that somewhere between 3 percent and 4 percent of those people have “hidden” African ancestry.
The percentage of African ancestry is relatively low, with the majority of individuals having just 0.5 percent to 0.75 percent – which suggests that those people have an African ancestor who lived about six generations, or about 200 years, ago.
<h2>African DNA Explained Over 200 Years or Five Generations</h2>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright size-full wp-image-9847" title="hiddenafricanancestry_chart" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/hiddenafricanancestry_chart.png" alt="" width="411" height="275" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/hiddenafricanancestry_chart.png 411w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/hiddenafricanancestry_chart-300x201.png 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 411px) 100vw, 411px" />
This is by no means meant to represent the percent of African ancestry among those who identify as of European descent across America. It is simply a snapshot of those in our database at this time. Our researchers have also excluded those with more than 5 percent African ancestry with the assumption that it’s more likely that their ancestry is known. That doesn’t mean it is known, just as it doesn’t mean that those of European descent with 5 percent or less African ancestry are unaware of it.
In addition, our database includes customers who are actually European so the percentage of Americans of European descent in our database who have African ancestry may be higher.
But we believe this is the first detailed look at the African ancestry among those who consider themselves white. It begs many questions for possible future study.
<h2>Another View of History</h2>
For instance, looking at the generational distribution implied by the percentages, most of the mixing occurred 200 years ago or more. We know that the exploitation of slavery included rape and sexual exploitation. In addition, there may have been cases where the relative isolation of people was such that the societal taboos against mixing of the races were more lax.
At the very least, these findings suggest a more complicated picture of race relations at that time.
The news has recast our own picture of who our ancestors were. My sisters and I have 1 percent African ancestry. My mother, a generation closer to the source, has more. It was a surprise for a family that thought we were a mix of Irish, German, and French. The news tells us that we were both descended from an enslaved woman and the person who enslaved her. It makes that awful part of American history much more real for us.
<h2>Generational Differences</h2>
But the surprise triggered our search to find out about our genealogical history.
Just as 23andMe’s findings offer a new narrative about American social history and race relations, the discovery provided another look at where we came from.
Somewhere in our family’s past, we had a black ancestor who was “absorbed” into white society. That story was hidden until our DNA revealed it.
This ancestor would have lived during the era of slavery. This was at a time and in a place where the “Rule of Hypodescent” held that anyone with any African ancestry was considered “black.” This was more commonly known as the “one-drop rule.”
Beyond what this might say about American history, the finding also comes when people appear more comfortable with mixed ancestry. So, what will this finding mean for other families now?
On a personal note, each generation in had a different reaction to the news of having an African ancestor.
What’s also interesting is that our evidence of  African ancestry can’t be seen in the next generation. The generation of my children and my sisters’ children don&#8217;t have measurable African ancestry. They are also the generation that seemed most excited by the news. They were also most disappointed that they didn’t have it.
<h2>Melugeons</h2>
James Larry Vick talked about his own similar discovery through 23andMe that he had African ancestors.
At first, he thought it was a mistake. He has since pieced together the link. He believes it was from his mother’s 2nd great-grandmother, who had come from the Cumberland Gap area of Appalachia. This is the home to a tri-racial population known as “<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melungeon">Melungeon</a>s.” The Melungeons are of European, African, and Native American ancestry.
“I do not think anyone in our family would have believed we could have an African segment, and none would believe we could have Melungeon ancestry,” Vick said. “I doubt anyone in my family would know what Melungeon is.”
<h2>Find out if you have Hidden African Ancestry</h2>
Our family’s search of records hasn’t led to quite as detailed of a discovery. However, it’s offered some tantalizing hints linking us to people with the same surname as my mother’s great-grandmother in the same small West Virginia town.
Using 23andMe’s Relative Finder tool, I’ve hunted for people with the same surname. I&#8217;ve also looked for those with a family history from that area. This may lead us to new clues. But the journey through this hidden family history has already taught us a lot about ourselves and America’s own hidden history.
So what about you?
With 23andMe, you can learn a lot about your own ancestry. Maybe there will be no big surprises, but often, our histories are not as black and white as we believe. Using 23andMe&#8217;s Ancestry Composition feature to explore the mix of your ethnic origins.
You can dig deeper by delving into the Ancestry Timeline to learn when certain ethnicities are &#8220;mixed&#8221; into your family DNA. (According to this tool, our family&#8217;s African ancestors likely lived between 1750 and 1810.) If one or both of your parents have tested, you can see what ancestry came from the paternal versus the maternal side of the family.
 Explore Your African DNA and all the origins with <a href="https://www.23andme.com/dna-ancestry/">23andMe&#8217;s Ancestry Service.</a>
<h2>Learn More</h2>
You can also 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.

Latest Posts — Page 21