Editor&#8217;s note: (June 4, 2024) This blog post has been updated from the original.



 The history and culture of Ashkenazi Jewish people, the waves of persecution, pogroms, and communal isolation over centuries help explain the genetic uniqueness of Ashkenazi ancestry and its implications on health.



While people of Ashkenazi ancestry have deep roots in Eastern and Central Europe, their ancestral lines trace back further to areas in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3032072/?tool=pmcentrez" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Middle East</a>.&nbsp;



For people of <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/detail-for-ashkenazi-ancestry" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ashkenazi ancestry</a>, it is in Europe that a drastic reduction in the population&#8217;s size and communal isolation became so profound that they created what geneticists call a&nbsp;<a href="https://news.berkeley.edu/2022/06/23/bottlenecks-that-reduced-genetic-diversity-were-common-throughout-human-history/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">&#8220;population bottleneck.&#8221;</a>&nbsp;



Factors like disease outbreaks, geographic isolation, mass migration, and persecution can all contribute to population bottlenecks. This was particularly true for Ashkenazi Jewish communities, who faced centuries of discrimination and displacement. Such events drastically reduce a population&#8217;s size, limiting its genetic diversity. Over generations, this can lead to distinct genetic characteristics and a higher prevalence of certain inherited conditions within the Ashkenazi Jewish population.



That happened among Ashkenazi Jewish communities in Central and Eastern Europe. Our DNA Health + Ancestry Service can help you learn more about your ancestry and genetic health.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ashkenazi-ancestry-and-risk-for-certain-genetic-conditions">Ashkenazi Ancestry and Risk for Certain Genetic Conditions</h2>



Understanding this history of isolation helps explain why people with&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/detail-for-ashkenazi-ancestry" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ashkenazi ancestry</a>&nbsp;are more likely to carry genetic variants that cause certain single-gene recessive Mendelian conditions such as<a target="_blank" href="https://www.23andme.com/topics/carrier/gaucher-disease-type-1/" rel="noreferrer noopener">&nbsp;Gaucher disease</a>,<a target="_blank" href="https://www.23andme.com/topics/carrier/canavan-disease/" rel="noreferrer noopener">&nbsp;Canavan disease</a>, and<a target="_blank" href="https://www.23andme.com/topics/carrier/tay-sachs-disease" rel="noreferrer noopener">&nbsp;Tay-Sachs disease</a>.&nbsp;



In addition, people with Ashkenazi ancestry are more likely to carry the so-called &#8220;founder variants&#8221; in the<a target="_blank" href="https://www.23andme.com/brca/" rel="noreferrer noopener">&nbsp;BRCA1 and BRCA2, increasing</a>&nbsp;the risk of breast, ovarian, and prostate cancer.&nbsp;



It also helps explain why people of Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry are <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosgenetics/article?id=10.1371/journal.pgen.1002559" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">more than&nbsp;twice as likely</a> to develop <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/genetics-crohns-ashkenazi" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Crohn&#8217;s disease</a>&nbsp;compared to those of other European ancestry.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Tracing the History of Ashkenazi Jewish Ancestry</h2>



People of Ashkenazi ancestry first migrated to Southern Europe from Western Asia around 2,000 years ago.&nbsp;



Then — in the Middle Ages — many Jewish people living in southern Europe moved north. They primarily settled in northeastern France and western Germany near the Rhine River. It was there that their distinct religious, cultural, and Ashkenazi Jewish identity formed.&nbsp;



The word &#8220;Ashkenazi&#8221; is thought to come from the name &#8220;Ashkenaz,&#8221; a descendant of Noah named in the Hebrew Bible.



Although Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry is under the umbrella of &#8220;European ancestry,&#8221; it&#8217;s clear from numerous studies that people of&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/detail-for-ashkenazi-ancestry" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ashkenazi ancestry</a>&nbsp;are distinct from other European populations.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Ashkenazi Ancestry and Other Jewish Ancestry</h2>



While most people with Ashkenazi ancestry trace their DNA to Eastern and Central Europe, they are often more genetically like other Jewish populations — such as Sephardic Jews or Jewish groups with roots in Iran, Iraq, or Syria — than other Europeans.&nbsp;



People with European ancestry are genetically distinct from those of Asian or African descent. What is less obvious is that genetic variation also exists within European groups.



<figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex">
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="648" height="652" data-id="13179" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/between-3-variation.png" alt="" class="wp-image-13179" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/between-3-variation.png 648w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/between-3-variation-150x150.png 150w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/between-3-variation-298x300.png 298w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 648px) 100vw, 648px" /></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="827" height="770" data-id="13182" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/within-variation.png" alt="" class="wp-image-13182" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/within-variation.png 827w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/within-variation-300x279.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/within-variation-768x715.png 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 827px) 100vw, 827px" /></figure>
</figure>



In these plots from a&nbsp;<a href="http://www.plosgenetics.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pgen.1002559" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">study by Eimear Kenny</a>, you can see the genetic variation between major ancestral groups (left) and within a population (right). Jewish groups fall into the European cluster on the left. 



But people with Ashkenazi ancestry (blue) form a unique cluster. That cluster is distinct mainly from Caucasian (CEU; green) and other Jewish populations (various colors) on the right. Individuals who are part Ashkenazi fall between the Caucasian and Ashkenazi clusters.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-persecution-isolation-and-the-ashkenazi-genetic-bottleneck">Persecution, Isolation, and the Ashkenazi Genetic Bottleneck</h2>



What contributed to those differences was the <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/detail-for-ashkenazi-ancestry">unique history of the Ashkenazi people</a>. During their long history in Europe, Ashkenazi Jews faced waves of persecution and cultural isolation that, in turn, impacted their genetics.&nbsp;



Starting in the 11th Century during the Christian Crusades, Jews living in primarily northwestern Europe were not just persecuted but, in some communities, massacred. Other communities in England and France, for instance, were expelled.&nbsp;



Fleeing from that violence and persecution, many Ashkenazi Jewish people migrated east to places like present-day Poland and Lithuania. The violence and the plague, which hit Europe in the 14th and 15th Centuries, decimated the Ashkenazi Jewish population.&nbsp;



Some estimate that it&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/detail-for-ashkenazi-ancestry" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plummeted by close to 90 percent</a>. This created a population bottleneck so that most of the 10 million Ashkenazi Jewish people living today are related to a few hundred &#8220;founding individuals.&#8221;



To illustrate the impact of that isolation, two people of Ashkenazi descent in 14th-century Germany were&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0092867422013782?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">more genetically distinct than the average two Ashkenazi Jewish people living today</a>. 



While the persecution and isolation that created the population bottleneck happened in the Middle Ages, the persecution of Jewish people did not end then.&nbsp;



In the 20th Century, more than six million European Jewish people were systematically murdered in the Holocaust. Many who survived the Holocaust immigrated to the United States and Israel after the war.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-explore-your-ancestry-with-23andme">Explore Your Ancestry with 23andMe</h2>



Learn if your <a href="https://www.23andme.com/test-info/genetic-health/">genetics</a> might Increase your risk for any health conditions with 23andMe.



23andMe customers can go to their&nbsp;<a href="https://you.23andme.com/ancestry/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ancestry Overview</a> and learn specific insights into whether they have&nbsp;<a href="https://you.23andme.com/reports/ancestry_composition_hd/ashkenazi/?ap2_smoother_compute_name=ap2_smoother_47_populations" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ashkenazi ancestry</a>.&nbsp;



Are you still waiting to be a customer? Find out more about 23andMe&#8217;s ancestry offerings&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.23andme.com/dna-ancestry/" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>.



Knowing your ancestry can teach you about your family&#8217;s heritage and is vital for your health.&nbsp;



With our health + Ancestry service, you can learn more about your ancestry and genetic health. Find out more&nbsp;<a href="https://www.23andme.com/dna-health-ancestry/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>.

23andMe Blog

23andMe Blog Team

Understanding Ashkenazi Jewish Ancestry & Genetics for Your Health

Genetics is a big reason why many millions of people respond differently to <a href="https://www.fda.gov/drugs/science-and-research-drugs/table-pharmacogenomic-biomarkers-drug-labeling">commonly prescribed medications</a>, and yet few of us are screened to detect these genetic differences.



This week 23andMe added another in a suite of reports that examine how a person&#8217;s genetics may impact their response to certain medications, and their chance of experiencing possible side effects. These are the first and only <a href="https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/in-vitro-diagnostics/direct-consumer-tests#list">direct-to-consumer pharmacogenetic reports authorized by the FDA</a>.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="416" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/enzyme.1b88dacdc77b-1024x416.png" alt="" class="wp-image-31976" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/enzyme.1b88dacdc77b-1024x416.png 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/enzyme.1b88dacdc77b-300x122.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/enzyme.1b88dacdc77b-768x312.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/enzyme.1b88dacdc77b-880x357.png 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/enzyme.1b88dacdc77b-1180x479.png 1180w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/enzyme.1b88dacdc77b.png 1320w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-simvastatin-medication-insight-report-nbsp">Simvastatin Medication Insight report&nbsp;</h6>



The updated <a href="https://www.23andme.com/topics/pharmacogenetics/slco1b1/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pharmacogenetics report for SLCO1B1 Drug Transport</a> with a new Medication Insight Report* is available for <a href="https://www.23andme.com/membership/">23andMe+ members</a>. It looks at how individuals respond to simvastatin, sold under the brand names Flolipid® and Zocor.® It provides an easy-to-read message telling them whether they have an increased chance of experiencing side effects. Simvastatin is a statin drug used to lower cholesterol in the blood and reduce the risk of heart attacks, strokes, or other heart problems.&nbsp;



<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30580575/">One in four Americans over 40 uses a statin</a> to lower their cholesterol, as reported by American Heart Association scientists. About 8 million people in the US were prescribed the statin simvastatin in 2020. This amounts to about 36 million prescriptions, making it among the <a href="https://clincalc.com/DrugStats/">most prescribed medications</a> in the United States, according to <a href="https://clincalc.com/DrugStats/About.aspx">ClinCalc DrugStats database</a>. ClinCalc provides prescription drug utilization data estimates for patients in the United States that is drawn from government sources including the NIH and FDA.



Genetic differences in the SLCO1B1 gene affect a protein involved in moving some medications, including statins, from the blood to the liver. The liver is where they are processed and removed from the body.



When the gene function is reduced, statin levels in the blood rise. This increases the likelihood of <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/snpwatch-gene-variant-may-increase-risk-for-rare-side-effect-of-cholesterol-lowering-drugs">side effects like muscle pain</a>, weakness, or both, a condition known as myopathy.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="579" height="325" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/SLCO1B1.png" alt="" class="wp-image-31979" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/SLCO1B1.png 579w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/SLCO1B1-300x168.png 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 579px) 100vw, 579px" /></figure>



Muscle pain or weakness is one of the most common side effects of statins, including simvastatin.&nbsp; About <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30580575/">one in ten people on statins</a> stop using them, according to a study from the American Heart Association.&nbsp; About 60 percent report of those who stopped said they <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22658145/">stopped because of muscle pain</a>, according to research by scientists at the St. Louis University School of Medicine. Having one or two copies of the SLCO1B1 variant included in 23andMe&#8217;s Pharmacogenetics report increases the <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32702748/">risk of developing simvastatin-associated myopathy from two to six times</a>. Importantly, studies have shown that patients who received SLCO1B1 genotype-guided therapy were <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25563221/">more likely to take their medication, had improved perceptions of statin therapy</a>, and had <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30354330/">better health outcomes</a>.&nbsp;



<h6 class="wp-block-heading">Drug Response</h6>



People respond differently to the same medicine due to many factors such as age, weight, liver and kidney function, diet, or even other drugs they might be taking. But we have also known for some time that for many medications, genetic differences also play a role in their effectiveness.



In some cases, those differences may also lead to adverse drug reactions.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="388" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/other_factors.a2fa6546eb5d-1024x388.png" alt="" class="wp-image-31980" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/other_factors.a2fa6546eb5d-1024x388.png 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/other_factors.a2fa6546eb5d-300x114.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/other_factors.a2fa6546eb5d-768x291.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/other_factors.a2fa6546eb5d-880x333.png 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/other_factors.a2fa6546eb5d-1180x447.png 1180w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/other_factors.a2fa6546eb5d.png 1320w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



About half of the people in the United States use at least<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/drug-use-therapeutic.htm"> one prescription drug</a> in any given month, according to data from the CDC. Millions of these individuals have one common genetic variant that impacts<a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9177500/"> how they process those medications</a>. This could impact how they respond to a blood thinner, an antidepressant, or pain medication. The list of medications that the Food and Drug Administration labels with a known genetic variant that impacts their efficacy or chance for side effects now includes <a href="https://www.fda.gov/drugs/science-and-research-drugs/table-pharmacogenomic-biomarkers-drug-labeling">hundreds of drugs</a>. That list continues to grow. Knowing beforehand whether a prescription drug is likely to work, or trigger an adverse reaction, offers a tremendous public health benefit.



A recent European study involving almost 7,000 patients in seven European countries over three years noted the potential of using this information in care. It found that using genetic screening to identify people with variants that affected how they processed a medication lowered the risk of patients having an adverse drug reaction by<a href="https://upgx.eu/matching-medication-to-dna-leads-to-30-fewer-side-effects/"> 30 percent</a>. The study was led by U-PGx, a consortium of researchers from more than <a href="https://upgx.eu/u-pgx-consortium/">a dozen universities and research institutions in Europe and the UK</a>.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading">23andMe&#8217;s Pharmacogenetics Reports*</h6>



23andMe+ Membership includes information about how your <a href="https://www.23andme.com/test-info/pharmacogenetics/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">DNA may affect the processing of almost two dozen medications</a>. Among them are drugs used in treatments that range from depression and high cholesterol, to certain medications used in chemotherapy. The reports examine how variants in three genes — <a href="https://www.23andme.com/topics/pharmacogenetics/cyp2c19/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CYP2C19</a>, <a href="https://www.23andme.com/topics/pharmacogenetics/dpyd/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">DPYD</a>, and <a href="https://www.23andme.com/topics/pharmacogenetics/slco1b1/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SLCO1B1</a> — affect the body’s ability to metabolize or transport those medications.



Under the <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/fda-clearance">FDA authorization,</a> there is no additional confirmatory testing requirement for the SLCO1B1 Drug Transport report. A healthcare provider can use the results from the report to guide care. Remember that other factors besides your genetics can also affect how your body processes medications. In addition, customers should not change their medications without first consulting their healthcare provider.&nbsp;



<h6 class="wp-block-heading">Find Out More</h6>



23andMe+ members can view their <a href="https://you.23andme.com/health/pgt/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pharmacogenetics reports here</a>.



23andMe Health + Ancestry Service customers on the current genotyping chip can receive this report and 35+ other reports by joining 23andMe+ from within their accounts <a href="https://you.23andme.com/chip-upgrade/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">link here to upgrade.</a> 



&nbsp;Not a 23andMe+ customer yet?<a href="https://www.23andme.com/compare-dna-tests/"> Learn more about what 23andMe offers here</a>.



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



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



*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&nbsp; DPYD and certain CYP2C19 results should be confirmed by an independent genetic test prescribed by your own healthcare provider before taking any medical action.&nbsp; Warning: Test information should not be used to start, stop, or change any course of treatment and does not test for all possible variants that may affect metabolism or protein function. The PGS test is not a substitute for visits to a healthcare professional. Making changes to your current regimen can lead to harmful side effects or reduced intended benefits of your medication, therefore consult with your healthcare professional before taking any medical action. For important information and limitations regarding Pharmacogenetic reports, visit <a href="http://www.23andme.com/test-info">www.23andme.com/test-info</a>.

New Report Release image for Simvastatin Medication Insight

New 23andMe+ Report on Simvastatin

In some cultures, they&#8217;re called&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/rte/status/1367052455461142531?lang=en" rel="noreferrer noopener">&#8220;little kisses of the sun,&#8221;</a>&nbsp;indeed, freckles tend to become more pronounced with more sun exposure.



It is an oddity of nature that the sun can lighten a person&#8217;s hair but darken their skin. Freckles are not simply an uneven tan, though. Sun exposure results in freckling in some people when the skin pigmentation in skin cells is produced unevenly across the body. You get freckles in areas where you have more pigmentation production.



Why some people are more prone than others toward&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.23andme.com/topics/traits/freckles/" rel="noreferrer noopener">freckling has a lot to do with their genetics.</a>



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pigmentation">Pigmentation</h6>



Freckles are often associated with fair-skinned people, redheads, or people of Northern European descent. While it is true that freckling is more common in fair-skinned people, they occur in people of all ethnic backgrounds. The dynamic is the same.&nbsp;



We all have specialized skin cells called melanocytes that produce melanin. This pigmentation gives skin — along with <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/untangling-the-genetics-of-hair-color" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hair</a> and <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/snpwatch-genetic-variation-is-in-the-eye-of-the-beholder" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">eyes</a> —color.&nbsp;



Melanin also helps protect the skin from sun damage by absorbing and reflecting ultraviolet light. When the sun is out, pigmentation production ramps up. When it&#8217;s spread across our skin evenly, we get a tan. But you get freckles in areas where your skin produces more melanin.&nbsp;



<h6 class="wp-block-heading">Genetics of Freckles</h6>



To better understand the factors involved in freckling 23andMe, scientists looked at data from more than 150,000 customers of European ancestry who consented to participate in research. Our team found 34 variants in several different genes associated with freckling. Using that data and other factors like age and sex, we created a statistical model to estimate the likelihood of having freckles.



But these genetic variants also shed light on the genes responsible for melanin production. One of the variants strongly associated with freckling is in the Melanocortin 1 Receptor gene,&nbsp;MC1R, which is also associated with red hair.&nbsp;



The&nbsp;MC1R&nbsp;gene toggles the cells that produce a brown-black pigment or a reddish-yellow pigment. The color of the pigment, and how much is produced, plays a role not just in skin pigmentation but also in the color of a person&#8217;s hair. So, for some people, a variant in the gene changes the signal to make the black-brown pigment that is so protective against the sun&#8217;s harmful UV rays and instead produces more reddish-yellow pigment, which, in <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/no-im-not-irish" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">your hair, gives it a red color.</a>



While genetics plays an essential role in freckling, so does sun exposure. And the two factors also work in tandem.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading">Sun Exposure</h6>



Freckles are usually harmless, but that doesn&#8217;t mean you should ignore them. Freckles are often more pronounced after sun exposure, for instance, and can be damaging to your skin.&nbsp;



Dermatologists recommend sunscreen and limiting sun exposure, especially during the middle of the day.



Beyond those protections that help against premature aging and skin cancer, you should also pay attention to your skin. Consult a dermatologist if you notice dramatic changes in a freckle&#8217;s color, shape, or size.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading">Find Out More</h6>



Are you curious about your likelihood of freckling or want to learn what your genetics says about other <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/23andmes-traits-of-summer" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">common traits?</a> You can&nbsp;<a href="https://you.23andme.com/health/trait/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">see your traits report here.</a>



Not yet a customer? Check out what&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.23andme.com/dna-ancestry/" rel="noreferrer noopener">23andMe can tell you about your traits here</a>.

Sun Kissed with Freckles

23andMe’s 2023 summer intern program is in full swing and we have another exceptional class of talented young people. This year, our class of interns are working mostly on Therapeutics programs. They’ve come to us from institutions across the United States.



For a little inspiration, read on to learn about our interns and what they’ll be doing this summer.



If you still have questions, email <a href="mailto:internships@23andme.com">internships@23andme.com</a>.&nbsp;



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gabby-rabadam">Gabby Rabadam</h6>



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-functional-genomics-intern-therapeutics">Functional Genomics Intern, Therapeutics</h6>



<figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Gabby-Rabadam.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-31945" width="150" height="149"/></figure>



Gabby is passionate about using multi-omics and bioinformatic approaches to study autoimmunity, which she’s currently exploring during her Ph.D. at UCSF. She’s excited to dive in as a member of the Functional Genomics team in Therapeutics. Gabby grew up in California&#8217;s Central Valley and spent five years in Boston for school and work before coming back to California for Graduate School. 



<h6 class="wp-block-heading">Alex Heiler</h6>



Antibody &amp; Protein Engineering Intern, Therapeutics



<figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Alex-Heiler.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-31943" width="150" height="169"/></figure>



Alex is interested in treating diseases using enhanced therapeutic and drug delivery platforms. He is excited to contribute to Antibody and Protein Engineering in Therapeutics, working on new antibody epitope mapping methods based on mass spectrometry. He is always ready to learn a new skill or technique around the lab. Alex grew up in Sacramento and attended Santa Clara University for his undergraduate studies. He is currently pursuing a PhD in bioengineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology. 



<h6 class="wp-block-heading">Max Yan</h6>



Immunology Intern, Therapeutics



<figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Max-Yan.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-31942" width="150" height="139"/></figure>



Max is a doctoral student in Microbiology and Immunology at University of Illinois, Chicago. His research focuses on host-cell interaction of New World Arenavirus. He will be working with the Immunology Group in Therapeutics researching novel therapeutics this summer. Max grew up in Zhengzhou, China, and graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill for his undergraduate studies. 



<h6 class="wp-block-heading">Shilpa Shaju</h6>



Legal Intern, Privacy &amp; Product&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Shilpa-Shaju.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-31941" width="150" height="176" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Shilpa-Shaju.jpg 596w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Shilpa-Shaju-255x300.jpg 255w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" /></figure>



Shilpa is law student at the University of California, School of Law, San Francisco. Prior to attending law school, Shilpa worked at an immigration law firm in New York and graduated as the Salutatorian of her undergraduate class. Having completed her CIPP/US Certification and recently worked on global privacy issues for UN General Assembly, she is very excited to join the Privacy and Product Team in Legal, where privacy is treated as a human right. Shilpa grew up in New York and moved to San Francisco for law school.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading">Corinne Sexton</h6>



<figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Corinne-Sexton.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-31972" width="149" height="194" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Corinne-Sexton.jpg 594w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Corinne-Sexton-229x300.jpg 229w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 149px) 100vw, 149px" /></figure>



Computational Target Biology Intern, Therapeutics



Corinne recently completed her Ph.D. at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where she studied the 3D structure of the human genome. A Southern California native and mother of two young boys, she&#8217;s excited to be back in the Golden State. 



<h6 class="wp-block-heading">Ayanna Muhammad</h6>



Research Diversity &amp; Collaborations Intern, Research&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Ayanna-Muhammad.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-31939" width="150" height="176" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Ayanna-Muhammad.jpg 598w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Ayanna-Muhammad-256x300.jpg 256w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" /></figure>



After living with a hemoglobinopathy herself, Ayanna became very interested in hemoglobin disorders such as sickle cell and thalassemia. Knowing one’s carrier status for these disorders and how that affects the medical care people receive has become a passion for her. She is extremely excited to join the Sickle Cell Carrier Status Awareness Program and help the team expand their initiative so more people are aware of their status. Ayanna is from Lansing, Michigan and moved to Atlanta, Georgia to attend Spelman College. After obtaining her Master of Science in Medical Sciences degree, she was accepted into the M.D. program at Morehouse School of Medicine where she will start her second year in the fall. 



<h6 class="wp-block-heading">Nanjie Chen</h6>



R&amp;D Scientist Intern, Data Science Modeling, Research&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Nanjie-Chen.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-31938" width="150" height="208" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Nanjie-Chen.jpg 602w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Nanjie-Chen-217x300.jpg 217w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" /></figure>



Nanjie, a Ph.D. student in Applied Mathematics, is deeply passionate about the intersection of data science, machine learning, and biology. She&#8217;ll work with the Health R&amp;D team at 23andMe as a Data Scientist Intern. Nanjie will leverage her skills to develop predictive health models which help customers make better decisions for their health. Originally from the coastal city of Dalian in Northeastern China, Nanjie now lives in Boston.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading">Shaopeng Liu</h6>



Computational Biology Intern, Single Cell Methods Development, Therapeutics



<figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Shaopeng-Liu.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-31937" width="150" height="218"/></figure>



Shaopeng is a computational biologist in metagenomics. He utilizes and develops sketching-based algorithms to analyze metagenomic samples; and leverage knowledge graphs to mine novel insights from multi-omic data. It brings him immense joy to be joining the Computational Biology Group and contributing to method development for multi-omic single-cell data. Shaopeng is pursuing Ph.D. at Penn State.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading">Ruth Elgamal</h6>



Computational Biology Intern, Statistical Models for Functional Genomics Assays, Therapeutics



<figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Ruth-Elgamal.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-31936" width="150" height="150" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Ruth-Elgamal-150x150.jpg 150w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Ruth-Elgamal-271x271.jpg 271w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Ruth-Elgamal-372x372.jpg 372w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Ruth-Elgamal-574x574.jpg 574w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" /></figure>



Ruth is interested in leveraging genetic data to advance drug discovery, particularly in the context of metabolic disorders. For her Ph.D., she is integrating population-scale metabolomics and genomics. She is looking forward to joining the Computational Biology team in Therapeutics and building statistical models to evaluate functional genomic assays while actively learning from others on the team. Ruth is originally from Canada, spent time in Boston and is now living in California.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading">Rebeca Lion</h6>



Antibody &amp; Protein Engineering Intern, Therapeutics



<figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Rebeca-Lion-e1687820925392.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-31935" width="150" height="167" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Rebeca-Lion-e1687820925392.jpg 596w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Rebeca-Lion-e1687820925392-268x300.jpg 268w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" /></figure>



Rebeca is joining the Therapeutics team for the summer as an Antibody and Protein Engineering Intern. She has always been interested in genetics as a tool to drive change, and is excited to work on antibody discovery over the next few months.&nbsp;Born and raised in Brazil, Rebeca came to the U.S. for her undergraduate degree in Biomedical Engineering at Northwestern University. 



<h6 class="wp-block-heading">Glen Osiemo</h6>



Therapeutics Development Intern,&nbsp;Therapeutics



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Glen&#8217;s passion for supporting the development of innovative healthcare solutions is evident in his pursuit of a dual Pharm D and masters in applied health economics and outcomes research. This combination of clinical pharmacy knowledge and expertise in health economics will equip him with a unique skill set to contribute to the field of therapeutic drug development. He&#8217;ll be working with the immuno-oncology group at 23andMe.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading">Gabby Villalpando Torres’s</h6>



Biology Intern, Therapeutics



<figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Gabby-Villalpando-Torres.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-31944" width="149" height="187" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Gabby-Villalpando-Torres.jpg 596w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Gabby-Villalpando-Torres-239x300.jpg 239w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 149px) 100vw, 149px" /></figure>



Gabby is fascinated with understanding the mechanics of biology and has devoted herself to exploring various themes in this field, currently focusing on the study of cardiovascular function. A native of California’s Central Valley, she earned her BS in Bioengineering at UC Merced and is currently pursuing a PhD in Mechanical Engineering at UC Santa Barbara. She’ll be applying working on screening for therapeutic targets linked to cardiometabolic diseases.

A collage of photos of 23andMe's 2023 summer interns.

Summer of 2023 Interns

23andMe has added finer detail for customers whose roots trace back to Indigenous American ancestors. There are 18 regions in Central America, from Guatemala in the north to Panama in the south.



The update is part of our continuing work to improve 23andMe’s Ancestry reports and features. Recently, 23andMe added new details for people with Indigenous Mexican Ancestry and previously updated reports on North American Indigenous ancestry and Indigenous Caribbean ancestry. This latest update allows customers with ancestry from one of these Central American indigenous Genetic Groups to see their connections genetically and geographically.



The updates help highlight the importance of Indigenous groups and culture within the region, where people of Indigenous ancestry often make up a sizable proportion of the total population. Among the countries in the region, Guatemala has the highest percentage of Indigenous people.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-indigenous-populations-of-central-america">Indigenous Populations of Central America</h2>



Central America is at a crossroads between Mesoamerican, Chibchan-speaking, and Andean cultural and linguistic spheres.



Long before colonization, Indigenous societies like the Maya in Guatemala, southern Mexico, northern Honduras, and the Nahua in Mexico and El Salvador built thriving and sophisticated communities dating back many centuries.  However, dozens of other Indigenous populations also thrived in different geographic areas of the region with their own distinct languages and cultures, such as the people of the Coclé culture in what is now Panama or the Lenca people in Honduras and El Salvador.



The ruins of Copán in Honduras offer a glimpse of the sophistication of the Mayan people dating back to pre-Columbian times.



While the region’s independence from Spain in 1821 allowed for more regional autonomy and ended the forced labor of Indigenous people, it did not improve their lives. New governments did not respect Indigenous communal land rights, which often left them in more extreme poverty. The lingering inequities from that history can be seen today within these nations, as detailed by the<a href="https://www.worldbank.org/en/region/lac/brief/indigenous-latin-america-in-the-twenty-first-century-brief-report-page"> World Bank’s report on Indigenous Latin America</a>.  



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Ancestry Composition update</h2>



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 Indigenous populations.  



While 23andMe customers may already see evidence of recent ancestry within the nations of Central America, this update connects individuals to more specific Genetic Groups, potentially offering more details about their ancestral origins. The Genetic Groups that are part of this update are also more reflective of the distinct regional populations and customers&#8217; ancestry.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Regions in Central America covered in this update</h2>



23andMe’s new update for Indigenous Central American ancestry looks at 18 different areas within six nations.



The new Indigenous Central American Genetic Groups correspond to shared Indigenous American ancestry within these regions. For instance, the Northwestern Guatemalan Highlands includes people who speak Mayan languages, including Akateko, Jakalteko, Q’anjob’al, K’iche’ (Qatzijob al), and Q’eqchi’. In the south, the Coclé and West Central Panama region was part of the archaeological cultural area known as Gran Coclé, which is home to the Coclé culture.



Below are the lists of Genetic Groups 23andMe has added as part of this update.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Indigenous-Central-American-Ancestry-1024x665.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-31921" style="width:650px;height:422px"/></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">List of Genetic Groups</h2>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Central Guatemalan Highlands — This region is home to the Maya ruins of Iximche? — the former capital of the Kaqchikel Kingdom — and Mixco Viejo, the former capital of the Chajoma Kingdom.</li>



<li>Motagua River Valley and the Eastern Guatemalan Highlands — Guatemala’s Motagua River Valley is a source of green jade, a rare mineral used by Mesoamerican civilizations to create figurines, ornaments, masks, and other treasures for rituals or to reflect their owners’ high status.</li>



<li>Western Guatemalan Highlands — This region boasts the restored ruins of Zaculeu, the capital city of the ancient Mam Kingdom near the modern-day city of Huehuetenango. Eventually conquered by the neighboring K’iche’ kingdom of Q’umarkaj, Zaculeu was continuously occupied for over a millennium until its abandonment in the 16th century.</li>



<li>Northwestern Guatemalan Highlands — Many people in this Genetic Group speak Mayan languages of central and western Guatemala, including Akateko, Jakalteko, Q’anjob’al, K’iche’ (Qatzijob?al), and Q’eqchi’.</li>



<li>Ch’orti’ of Guatemala and Honduras — This region is home to the ruins of the capital city of the ancient Maya Kingdom of Copán, which flourished between the 5th and 9th centuries.</li>



<li>Goascorán River Basin and Comayagua Valley —This region was once the heartland of the Lenca people, though today most Lenca live in western Honduras. The ruins of two important commercial centers for the ancient Lenca Empire are also in this region: Quelepa in what is now eastern El Salvador and Yarumela in central Honduras.&nbsp;</li>



<li>Central Sierra Madres—This region was once home to the southernmost Maya sites including Tazumal, but much of the region later fell under the influence of Cuzcatlan, a powerful Nahua confederation that flourished between the 13th and 16th centuries.</li>



<li>Western Honduran Highlands — Once home to a number of Maya, Lenca, and Jicaque (Tolupan) settlements, this region was a crossroads between the Mesoamerican and Chibchan-speaking worlds.</li>



<li>Central Honduran Highlands — This region includes the Yarumela archaeological site — the ruins of an important commercial center for the ancient Lenca Empire near what is now the capital city of Honduras: Tegucigalpa.</li>



<li>Central American Volcanic Cordillera — El Salvador —This region was once part of Cuzcatlan (Kuskatan), a powerful Nahua confederation that flourished between the 13th and 16th centuries. Some people in this Genetic Group say their recent ancestors spoke Nawat (Nahuat).&nbsp;</li>



<li>Pacific Lowlands of Western Panama — Historically, this region was part of the territory of the Ngäbe people, which extended across much of western Panama. Today, most Ngäbe live in the semi-autonomous Ngäbe-Buglé Comarca, and many still speak Ngäbere, a Chibchan language.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>



<li>Guna Yala and East Central Panama — Some people in this Genetic Group speak Guna (Kuna) — a Chibchan language spoken by the Guna people of Panama and Colombia. Today, most Guna people live on the San Blas islands off the coast of the semi-autonomous Guna Yala Comarca.</li>



<li>Coclé and West Central Panama —This region was part of the archaeological cultural area known as Gran Coclé, defined by the distinctive pottery and striking artifacts made by people of the Coclé culture, primarily between 500 – 1000 C.E.</li>



<li>Coclé and the Azuero Peninsula of Panama —This region was part of the archaeological cultural area known as Gran Coclé, defined by the distinctive pottery and striking artifacts made by people of the Coclé culture, primarily between 500 – 1000 C.E.</li>



<li>Central Valley of Costa Rica — While relatively few people in Costa Rica identify as Indigenous today, there are still a number of Indigenous Peoples in the country including the Cabécar, Bribri, and Teribe (Térraba), among others.</li>



<li>West Central Nicaragua — Northeast Cocibolca — Historically, parts of this region were home to the Matagalpa (Cacaopera) and Chorotega peoples.</li>



<li>Northern Nicaraguan Highlands and Los Maribios —This region was once home to the Matagalpa (Cacaopera) of the central highlands, the Chorotega of western Nicaragua, and the Xiu (Subtiaba) of the country’s northern Pacific coastal region. Some people in this Genetic Group identify as Matagalpa (Cacaopera), though others identify as Miskito.&nbsp;</li>



<li>West Nicaragua — Xolotlán and Cocibolca — Before Spanish colonization, this region was home to the Nicarao, a Nahuat-speaking people after whom the modern country of Nicaragua was named.</li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">More on the update</h2>



About 1 percent of our customers, who have tested on our <a href="https://customercare.23andme.com/hc/en-us/articles/218392668-Upgrading-to-23andMe-s-Newest-Chip-Version">latest genotyping chip</a>, will receive a match to one or more of the Genetic Groups listed. Some of the common clusters will connect customers to Northern Nicaraguan Highlands and Los Maribios, the Central Valley of Costa Rica, Coclé and West Central Panama, the Western Honduran Highlands, Central American Volcanic Cordillera in El Salvador, and the Western Guatemalan Highlands.



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



23andMe customers 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>.&nbsp;

A map illustrating the 18 indigenous genetic groups in Central America that are part of 23andMe's update.

Indigenous Central American Ancestry

This week, we released a new Panic Attacks report powered by 23andMe research and available for 23andMe+ members.&nbsp;



The new report adds to our collection of reports focusing on mental health conditions, including<a href="https://www.23andme.com/topics/health-predispositions/depression/"> depression</a>,<a href="https://www.23andme.com/topics/health-predispositions/anxiety-and-anxiety-disorders/"> and anxiety</a>. As with many mood and anxiety disorders, panic attacks and panic disorder are sometimes <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3184591/#:~:text=Misdiagnosis%20rates%20reached%2065.9%25%20for,97.8%25%20for%20social%20anxiety%20disorder">misdiagnosed or simply difficult to diagnose</a>. Understanding one’s genetic risk for these conditions, and sharing that information with your healthcare provider may help in reaching the right diagnosis and treatment.&nbsp;



The size and scale of 23andMe, also offers a unique opportunity to estimate risks using polygenic risk models with unmatched power. This gives consumers insights into their genetic risk for mental health conditions, panic attacks, depression, or anxiety, as well as other health conditions like high blood pressure, or coronary artery disease. Currently 23andMe offers more than 30 reports based on polygenic scores. You can learn more about our<a href="https://permalinks.23andme.com/pdf/23_21-PRSMethodologyAppendix_2023.pdf"> methods for creating these polygenic scores here</a>.



 These reports offer customers added benefits for their health and aids in removing the stigma around<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/learn/index.htm"> mental health.</a> A person’s mental and physical health is often interconnected to one’s overall well-being.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-are-panic-attacks">What are panic attacks?</h6>



Panic attacks happen when fear and anxiety overwhelm a person and lead to physical symptoms such as racing heart, stomach aches, and shortness of breath. These attacks are often so intense with chest pain and shortness of breath that they may be mistaken for a heart attack. This can also compound fears about their health.



<div style="float: right; text-align: justified; width: 300px; background-color: #eee; padding: 15px; margin-left: 10px;">HELP IS THERE IF YOU NEED IT


If you are dealing with panic attacks, talk to a professional and get help.

There are also some additional resources for you to find help or inform yourself about this common condition. Remember, you are not alone; there are people who can help you provide you with support. 

National Alliance on Mental Illness — The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is an organization that provides education, support, and advocacy. Their helpline is available Monday through Friday, 10 am to 8 pm ET, at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264). They also have a wealth of resources on their website, including information on panic attacks.

Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) — Provides vast information and resources related to anxiety disorders, including panic disorder. (https://adaa.org/) This includes tips on managing stress and anxiety.

Therapy — Talking to a therapist can help if you’re struggling. An experienced therapist can help you navigate and find the best approaches to treating panic attacks. 

Remember, it’s okay to reach out for help. You don’t have to go through this alone. There are people who care about you and want to help you get through this.
</div>



Many people have panic attacks. Up to <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/article-abstract/209477">1 in 3 people will experience panic attacks in their lifetime</a>, according to researchers at Harvard. But some people who suffer frequent and unexpected attacks over time may develop panic disorder. This is a type of<a href="https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/anxiety-disorders"> anxiety disorder</a> where panic attacks happen frequently, even when there isn’t a clear danger or a clear trigger. As a result, people with panic disorder often feel as if they have little control, compounding their anxiety.&nbsp;



Beyond a racing heart and shortness of breath, several other physical and mental symptoms of panic attacks exist. Those include:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>An overwhelming sense of anxiety or fear</li>



<li>A feeling of being out of control</li>



<li>Fear of death or impending doom</li>



<li>Sweating</li>



<li>Chills</li>



<li>Trembling</li>



<li>Weakness or dizziness</li>



<li>Chest pain</li>



<li>Nausea or stomach ache</li>
</ul>



<h6 class="wp-block-heading">What is the cause?</h6>



Our bodies are built for survival. Along with our immune response, we each have a fight-or-flight response to danger that has helped humans thrive over millennia. But a panic attack is caused when that fight-or-flight response kicks in, even when there is no clear, immediate danger.



There are many reasons why this happens in some people and not in others. Genetics can play a role, but so do other factors. Panic attacks often occur during stressful periods, so family or relationship issues or financial stress might trigger an attack. In addition, panic attacks may occur as a symptom of other anxiety disorders such as post traumatic stress disorder or other mental health issues.



Panic attacks are more common in younger adults. Still, they can happen to anyone, according to the NIH. Left untreated, panic attacks can lead to problems at work or school, or interpersonal relationships, impacting a person’s quality of life. Fortunately, they are treatable.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading">The Genetic Influences on Panic Attacks</h6>



Like other mental health conditions, genetics is one of many factors contributing to whether someone is more prone to panic attacks. Understanding those genetic factors could help those trying to better understand their conditions or risk and the steps they may take to address them.



 Researchers have identified several genes associated with panic attacks. Some of these genes play a role in how the body responds to stress and how the brain regulates mood and the body’s fight-or-flight response. In addition, researchers have also found that some of the same genes associated with <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41380-019-0590-2">depression</a> are also associated with panic disorder. Some of these genes are genes involved in regulating anxiety.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading">About 23andMe’s Panic Attacks Report</h6>



Panic attacks are a common form of anxiety that affects millions of people worldwide.



23andMe’s new Panic Attacks report is powered by data from people who have consented to participate in 23andMe research. The report uses machine learning techniques to estimate an individual’s likelihood of being diagnosed with panic attacks.



The estimate is made using a statistical model that includes thousands of genetic markers and information on an individual’s ethnicity and sex assigned at birth. You can learn more about the science and methodology behind our new report in this <a href="https://permalinks.23andme.com/pdf/23_21-PRSMethodology_May2020.pdf">white paper</a>.



Note that 23andMe’s genetic report on panic attacks can provide users with helpful information on their estimated genetic likelihood of being diagnosed with the condition. Still, it is not a substitute for clinical diagnosis and treatment.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading">Find Out More</h6>



23andMe+ members can <a href="https://you.23andme.com/reports/prs.panic_attacks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">learn more here about the Panic Attack Report</a>.



Current 23andMe Health + Ancestry Service customers on the current genotyping chip can receive this report and 35+ other reports by joining 23andMe+ from within their accounts.



 Not a 23andMe+ customer yet?<a href="https://www.23andme.com/compare-dna-tests/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Learn more about what 23andMe has to offer here</a>.



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

An image of a 23andMe+ new report release for Panic Attacks.

23andMe Releases a Panic Attacks Report

For World Sickle Cell Day, we want to spotlight the work our researchers and collaborators are doing as part of 23andMe&#8217;s <a href="https://www.23andme.com/sickle-cell">Sickle Cell Carrier Status Awareness Program</a>.



This day is meant to draw attention to those affected by sickle cell disease worldwide and what it means to have sickle cell trait. Raising awareness can help empower people to learn their own sickle cell status and draw attention to the need for further research and treatments for sickle cell disease.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="538" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Open-Graph-Image-1024x538.png" alt="" class="wp-image-31918" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Open-Graph-Image-1024x538.png 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Open-Graph-Image-300x158.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Open-Graph-Image-768x403.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Open-Graph-Image-880x462.png 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Open-Graph-Image-1180x620.png 1180w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Open-Graph-Image.png 1200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-are-sickle-cell-trait-and-sickle-cell-disease">What are Sickle Cell Trait and Sickle Cell Disease?</h6>



An estimated 300 million people worldwide and 1 in 13 Black or African Americans have sickle cell trait, meaning they carry one copy of the HbS variant in the HBB gene.&nbsp;



The HBB gene contains instructions for making part of the hemoglobin protein, which helps red blood cells carry oxygen in our bodies. The HbS genetic variant can cause red blood cells to have a &#8220;sickle&#8221; (or crescent) shape. 



People with sickle cell trait typically do not experience any symptoms unless under extreme conditions, because they usually have enough normal hemoglobin in their red blood cells to compensate. However, if both parents have sickle cell trait their children are at risk of inheriting the form of sickle cell disease known as sickle cell anemia. In people with sickle cell anemia, red blood cells can get stuck in small blood vessels, which can lead to pain crises, organ damage, and other serious complications.



That&#8217;s why understanding whether you have sickle cell trait is so important. Over 100,000 people in the United States are affected by sickle cell disease, disproportionately impacting the Black community.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading">The Sickle Cell Carrier Status Awareness Program</h6>



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



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



As part of our <a href="http://www.23andme.com/sickle-cell">Sickle Cell Carrier Status Awareness Program</a>, 23andMe has collaborated with academics and advocacy organizations to increase understanding of sickle cell. In addition we&#8217;re providing resources for those with sickle cell trait and sickle cell disease. With the help of the Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia, Breaking the SSickle Cell Cycle, and the Morehouse School of Medicine, we&#8217;re working with Black communities to promote awareness.&nbsp;



As part of that effort, 23andMe offered its Health + Ancestry Service at no cost to Morehouse School of Medicine students, faculty, and staff. The service includes a Carrier Status report on sickle cell anemia.* The Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia also offered program participants counseling after receiving their 23andMe results. This program is one of many ways 23andMe and the Morehouse School of Medicine work together to increase equity in genetics and genomics.



&#8220;I see this as an opportunity to remove a barrier to screening,&#8221; said Dr. Lametra Scott, Executive Director of the Breaking the SSickle Cell Cycle. “Typically, young adults don&#8217;t get tested. It&#8217;s best to have the information before family planning so you aren&#8217;t blindsided and have options.&#8221;



<h6 class="wp-block-heading">The Power of Research</h6>



23andMe also offers a unique research model that allows individuals to&nbsp; participate in innovative genetic research that could lead to new discoveries and potentially help find new treatments.



So along with empowering people with knowledge of their sickle cell trait status, 23andMe also contributes to sickle cell research.



Most recently, a study in collaboration with researchers from the <a href="https://www.nih.gov/">National Institutes of Health</a> and <a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/som/">Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine</a> looked at the link between <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/new-research-on-sickle-cell-trait">blood clots and sickle cell trait.</a> The study is believed to be the largest and most diverse <a href="https://ash.confex.com/ash/2022/webprogram/Paper163883.html">genetic study of sickle cell trait</a> ever done. The scientists presented preliminary data from their work in late 2022. When we publish the complete study, we look forward to sharing those results with the community.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading">Learn More</h6>



Find out about <a href="http://www.23andme.com/sickle-cell">23andMe&#8217;s Sickle Cell Carrier Status Program here.</a>



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



*The 23andMe PGS test uses qualitative genotyping to detect select clinically relevant variants in the genomic DNA of adults for the purpose of reporting carrier status and reporting and interpreting genetic health risks. The relevance of each report may vary based on ethnicity. Our carrier status reports can be used to determine carrier status, but cannot determine if you have two copies of any genetic variant. These carrier reports are not intended to tell you anything about your risk for developing a disease in the future or anything about the health of your fetus, or your newborn child&#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. The Sickle Cell Anemia carrier status report is indicated for the detection of the HbS variant in the HBB gene. The report can tell you if you have two copies of the tested variant, and if you are at risk of developing symptoms of sickle cell anemia, but does not describe your overall risk of developing symptoms. This test is most relevant for people of African descent. It is also relevant for people of Middle Eastern and South Asian descent, as well as people from the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, and parts of Central and South America. For important information and limitations regarding each carrier status report, visit&nbsp; <a href="https://www.23andme.com/test-info/">https://www.23andme.com/test-info/</a>

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

23andMe’s Sickle Cell Carrier Status Awareness Program

Deanna didn&#8217;t know what to expect when she met her father, Gus, for the first time a year ago. She didn&#8217;t know how he would react. She didn&#8217;t know what it would be like for him either.&nbsp;



&#8220;I know it doesn&#8217;t turn out well for some adoptees when they first connect with their birth parents,&#8221; Deanna said. &#8220;But for Gus and me, it was like a fairytale… (it) was the greatest miracle of my life.&#8221;



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-happy-father-s-day">Happy Father&#8217;s Day</h6>



Deanna first met her birth dad a few weeks before Father&#8217;s Day in 2022. Gus was 91. He&#8217;d never married, had no children, and thought he was alone in the world. Deanna found him after connecting with a cousin using <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/dna-testing-for-adoptees" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">23andMe&#8217;s DNA Relatives</a> feature.&nbsp;



&#8220;There&#8217;d been no hope of finding him otherwise, outside DNA… and God,&#8221; she said.&nbsp;



Gus was in a nursing home in Virginia. The former ballroom dance instructor and competitive dancer had fallen at home. He&#8217;d been found on the floor by the authorities, after his doctor had requested a welfare check because she became concerned after not hearing from Gus. In the nursing home, bedridden and alone, Gus awaited the end. Then Deanna called him.



&#8220;One day he woke up thinking he was alone in the world, and by that afternoon, he had a daughter, a son-in-law, three grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren,&#8221; she said.



&#8220;I&#8217;m not alone in the world anymore,&#8221; he told her.



&#8220;No, you&#8217;re not. You&#8217;re not,&#8221; Deanna said.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/reunitedbiodad-1100x619-1-1024x576.webp" alt="An photo showing Deanna visiting Gus at a nursing home in Virginia and a photo of them holding hands." class="wp-image-31893" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/reunitedbiodad-1100x619-1-1024x576.webp 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/reunitedbiodad-1100x619-1-300x169.webp 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/reunitedbiodad-1100x619-1-768x432.webp 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/reunitedbiodad-1100x619-1-880x495.webp 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/reunitedbiodad-1100x619-1.webp 1100w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Gus and Deanna after she visited him in a nursing home in Virginia. </figcaption></figure>



<h6 class="wp-block-heading">My Daughter Loves Me</h6>



Not a crier, Gus was hit with a wave of emotion in their first phone call and started crying. Deanna had years to think about and prepare for the moment they would meet. It all came out of the blue for Gus, and it was a bit overwhelming.&nbsp;



It was the greatest early Father’s Day gift Deanna could have given him. Gus knew he didn&#8217;t have much time. So as they talked and she said she hoped to visit him, he asked her:&nbsp;



&#8220;How soon can you come?&#8221;



Only a short time after they talked on the phone, Deanna traveled from her Florida home and visited him in person in Virginia. She spent Father&#8217;s Day with him on their first and only Father&#8217;s Day together. She gave him a shirt that read, &#8220;My daughter loves me.&#8221;



But her time with him wasn&#8217;t confined to this one visit. She stayed for more than a week, getting to know him, letting him get to know her, and peppering him with questions about his life and family. She kept coming back. Sometimes they&#8217;d sit and listen to music together; his favorite was Frank Sinatra.&nbsp;



Deanna asked Gus if he wanted to live with her and her husband. He said yes right away and wanted to know how soon they could go. Deanna helped care for him in her home in the last months of his life. He got to know her and her family. He became part of it.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading">A Long Wait</h6>



They had seven months to get to know each other. Gus died at the end of last year.



&#8220;We tried to cram a lifetime into a few months,&#8221; she said.



Like many stories about adoptees connecting with biological families, Deanna&#8217;s has layers of complexity.&nbsp;



She was born in Virginia, adopted at two months of age, and raised by a couple in Maryland who couldn&#8217;t have children of their own. They adopted Deanna and her sister, who is not biologically related to Deanna. While they were good parents, Deanna had been searching for her biological parents ever since she stumbled upon birth records that showed her birth name, a name different from her own. She knows that not all adoptees are like this, but for Deanna, a part of her felt missing. Sometimes Deanna felt as if she came from a building instead of people. It wasn&#8217;t until her first child was born that she thought of the profound connection of an actual blood relative.



Over the years, in searching for her birth family for so long, she&#8217;d developed a network of friends who were also adoptees doing their own searches. From those friends, she understood that these journeys don&#8217;t always have a happy ending. Sometimes the birth family rejects them or refuses to connect. Sometimes the relationship sours.



Knowing that, Deanna is doubly thankful that she found Gus and that they were able to get to know each other.&nbsp;



&#8220;I had to wait for the longest, but best ending,&#8221; she said.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading">The Weight of Not Knowing</h6>



Through her network, Deanna shared her story on social media — something she leans on heavily for her work as <a href="https://www.drdeannashrodes.com/about/">a pastor in Florida</a>. She documented her first embrace with Gus and their joy in creating a relationship.&nbsp;



The story caught fire on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/deanna.shrodes/videos/406365054835548">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/18242431162082435/">Instagram</a> with the hashtag&nbsp;



<a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/findingmrgreek?__eep__=6&amp;__cft__%5b0%5d=AZV6rMZuycHKWKaENeHc9lioIjA5nXZZ9g8zTL1Qh8ICcbKtP1RPLLiEdyNZ55v7HoQALF0p64H_FMycCi_5sQgZjq6vrLsHMryYytl3Wcx73A&amp;__tn__=*NK-R">#findingmrgreek</a>. That was because, for a long time, all she knew about her birth father was that he was Greek. Eventually, it was picked up by CBS This Morning&#8217;s David Begnaud and featured on the show late last year. This spring, the New Yorker&#8217;s Larissa MacFarquhar detailed Deanna&#8217;s experience as part of a wonderfully written story about the emotional legacy many adoptees carry from being cleaved from their birth families.



A quote from Deanna encapsulated the feeling: &#8220;In order to be adopted, you first have to lose your entire family,&#8221; she told MacFarquhar.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading">Turning to DNA</h6>



Not all adoptees feel the same, but that loss is profound for many and never goes away. It&#8217;s what sustained Deanna&#8217;s search for all these years. She found her birth mom almost 30 years ago. They built a wonderful relationship before she passed away about a decade ago, but the one thing that produced a strain was asking about her father. 



Her relationship with Gus so embittered her birth mom that she would never share his name with Deanna, telling her she&#8217;d take his name to her grave. That was in 2013, and when Deanna told her that she could use DNA to help find him, Deanna&#8217;s mother got angry.



Although that hurt Deanna, she understood the devastating impact of the pregnancy on her mom. She was 20 when Deanna was born, 16 years younger than Gus. It was a scandal within her family. Even after giving Deanna up for adoption, her life was not easy. The only detail she&#8217;d offered Deanna was that her birth dad had dark hair and was Greek.



So, Deanna tested with 23andMe in 2013, almost a decade before she got matched with a cousin that helped her find Gus.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading">A Genetic Mirror</h6>



Deanna said she lived without knowing her birth parents and where she came from, and making that connection helped relieve some of the emotional pain.



It didn&#8217;t erase her love for her parents or solve all her problems. She is very open about her struggles with depression. Yet she was seeing someone who looked like her and even had expressions like her own, and this grounded her in some way. It lifted a weight from her; it fascinated her as well. How could she be so like someone she&#8217;d never met?



It wasn&#8217;t just physical appearances, either. Some of the similarities between Deanna and Gus were uncanny.&nbsp;



&#8220;It was mind-blowing; I was so much more like him than my (birth) mother,&#8221; she said. &#8220;Even some of the unique phrases we used. When I get upset, I might say, &#8216;Let me enlighten you,’ or when the kids get into something at the house, I would say, &#8216;All right, call the cops!&#8217; He used those same phrases.&#8221;&nbsp;



They both liked to sit on their porch swing and even liked the same types of food, Deanna said.&nbsp;



Before she found Gus, she used to look at herself in the mirror after she found her birth mom. She could see some of her birth mom. But in her mind, she sort of &#8220;photoshopped out&#8221; the traits she thought came from her birth mom. What was leftover, she thought, must be from her birth dad. She tried to construct what he would have looked like in her mind. When they finally met, she saw herself and parts of him in her children.



&#8220;All of those that immediately clicked, why I look the way I do, and so many other things,&#8221; Deanna said. &#8220;It was like looking at a genetic mirror.&#8221;



<h6 class="wp-block-heading">Fathers and Families</h6>



Maybe if Deanna and her birth father had met earlier, she would have had time to probe about why he did what he did and why he hadn&#8217;t supported her birth mom. Then, maybe she could have been more critical.&nbsp;



&#8220;I didn&#8217;t have time to dwell on the negative,&#8221; Deanna said. “We only had so much time together and I wanted to maximize it.”



Her connecting with her birth mom three decades ago and then finding Gus changed some of the dynamics within her adopted family. But her relationship with her father didn&#8217;t change. She said she and her father are very different people. Still, he accepted and encouraged her to search for her birth family.&nbsp;



&#8220;Nothing changed between my father and me,&#8221; Deanna said.



Love is not a zero-sum game for Deanna. But, finding Gus and finding love for him didn&#8217;t negate her love for her father.



&#8220;My relationship with Gus is very, very different from my [relationship with my] adopted father who raised me,&#8221; Deanna said. &#8220;They&#8217;re so different. They are different as people and so different in how they relate to me. So I see them both as a father, but they give me very different things if that makes any sense.&#8221;



As Father&#8217;s Day approaches, Deanna has time to process all that has happened in the last year — finding Gus, meeting him for the first time, and helping to care for him until his death. But instead, she finds solace in what he gave her and what she could give him. A friend told Deanna what Gus said not long before his death.&nbsp;



&#8220;He did tell one of his friends that the last year of his life that we were together was the greatest experience of his life,&#8221; Deanna said.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/reunitedbiodad2-1100x619-1-1024x576.webp" alt="A photo Deana and Gus wearing t-Shirts that say &quot;Florida or Bust.&quot;" class="wp-image-31892" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/reunitedbiodad2-1100x619-1-1024x576.webp 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/reunitedbiodad2-1100x619-1-300x169.webp 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/reunitedbiodad2-1100x619-1-768x432.webp 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/reunitedbiodad2-1100x619-1-880x495.webp 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/reunitedbiodad2-1100x619-1.webp 1100w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Gus leaving the Virginia nursing home on his way to Florida where Deanna and her husband cared for him in their home.</figcaption></figure>

Gus leaving the Virginia nursing home on his way to Florida where Deanna and her husband cared for him in their home.

Father’s Day Special

It&#8217;s summertime, and with warmer temperatures and longer days come mosquitos.



Those pesky insects are more attracted to some of us than others, and we may have genetics to thank for that, according to researchers.&nbsp;



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-so-why-is-that">So why is that?&nbsp;</h6>



Let&#8217;s dive into the science of <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/mosquito-bites" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mosquito attractio</a>n and see how 23andMe can help determine if you&#8217;re more likely to be on the mosquito menu.



First off, it&#8217;s not just by chance that mosquitos bite some people more than others. Genetics may explain at least some of that difference, and it helps explain why some react more severely to bites than others.&nbsp;



Mosquitos home in on specific molecules in body odor and breath; the more of these molecules we have, the more enticing we are to mosquitos. In addition, for some people, the annoyance goes beyond being more attractive to the bugs; our genetics can also impact&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/bug-bite-genetics" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">how we react to mosquito bites with larger and itchier welts</a>.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Mosquitobite.jpg-1002x1024.png" alt="" class="wp-image-26391" width="501" height="512" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Mosquitobite.jpg-1002x1024.png 1002w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Mosquitobite.jpg-294x300.png 294w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Mosquitobite.jpg-768x785.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Mosquitobite.jpg-861x880.png 861w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Mosquitobite.jpg-1155x1180.png 1155w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 501px) 100vw, 501px" /></figure>



You probably already know if you&#8217;re a mosquito magnet, but&nbsp;<a href="https://www.23andme.com/topics/traits/mosquito-bite-frequency/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">23andMe&#8217;s Mosquito Bite Frequency</a>&nbsp;report can tell you if your genetics may explain why you&#8217;re more attractive to the bugs than others.&nbsp;



The report uses a statistical model based on almost 300 genetic variants associated with mosquito bite frequency and sensitivity. Using this statistical model that includes genetic and non-genetic factors 23andMe can report whether you are more or less likely to be attracted to mosquitos and whether you&#8217;re more sensitive to their bites than others.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading">Anatomy of a mosquito bite</h6>



When a mosquito bites, it pokes through the skin of its victim and releases a substance to prevent clotting, making it easier to feed on the blood.&nbsp;



That substance, in turn, triggers an immune response in people as their bodies release histamine to fight the foreign substance. The size of the welt, or &#8220;wheel,&#8221; left behind and the severity of the itch varies in part based on a person&#8217;s genetics.



As noted above, genetics plays a role in those different reactions, something 23andMe researchers have compiled data on.&nbsp;



<h6 class="wp-block-heading">So why should I care?</h6>



Whether you care about getting bit or not, understanding the genetics of mosquito attraction may be more important than you imagine.&nbsp;



That&#8217;s because, for millions of people, mosquitos are more than just a nuisance; they are one of the deadliest creatures on earth. Hundreds of thousands of deaths a year are due to mosquitos transmitting diseases such as Dengue fever, West Nile Virus, Zika, and malaria.



According to the World Health Organization, malaria alone accounted for more than 619,000 deaths in 2021. Understanding how people respond to bites and why some of us are more susceptible to getting bit could help stop the spread of these serious insect-borne diseases.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading">Itching to Learn More?</h6>



If you&#8217;re a 23andMe customer and want to understand better your genetic propensity toward more or itchier mosquito bites, sign in and check out your <a href="https://you.23andme.com/reports/trait.mosquito_bite_frequency/">Mosquito Bite Frequency report.</a>



Not yet a customer? Find out more about <a href="https://www.23andme.com/compare-dna-tests/">all that 23andMe has to offer</a>.&nbsp;

Latest Posts — Page 24