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.

23andMe Blog

23andMe Blog Team

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;

Are you a mosquito magnet?

23andMe has added finer detail for customers with roots that trace back to Indigenous American ancestors from 28 different regions in what is now Mexico.



The update is part of our continuing work to improve 23andMe’s Ancestry reports and features. This new update allows customers with Indigenous American ancestry from one of these  Genetic Groups in Mexico to see their connections genetically as well as geographically. It also helps to convey the breadth of  genetic and cultural diversity of Mexico, and the rich history of Mesoamerican civilizations there.



(Dig deeper into your ancestry with 23andMe&#8217;s <a href="https://www.23andme.com/dna-ancestry/">DNA Ancestry service</a>, or sign-up for a <a href="https://www.23andme.com/membership/">membership</a> to unlock more about your personal genetics and geneaology.)



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="536" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/linkedin_ancestry_update_IC-copy-1024x536.png" alt="A map that shows the indigenous Mexican regions." class="wp-image-31861" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/linkedin_ancestry_update_IC-copy-1024x536.png 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/linkedin_ancestry_update_IC-copy-300x157.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/linkedin_ancestry_update_IC-copy-768x402.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/linkedin_ancestry_update_IC-copy-880x461.png 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/linkedin_ancestry_update_IC-copy-1180x618.png 1180w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/linkedin_ancestry_update_IC-copy.png 1200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-indigenous-populations-of-mexico">Indigenous populations of Mexico</h6>



Mexico, and Latin America generally, is <a href="https://en.unesco.org/creativity/activities/designing-policies-support-indigenous-community-radio-mexico">among the world’s most ethnically diverse regions</a>, according to UNESCO. The indigenous people within what is now Mexico have a deep history that predates European colonization by <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-02190-y#:~:text=Archaeologists%20excavating%20a%20cave%20in,15%2C000%20years%20earlier%20than%20thought.">more than 15,000 thousand years</a>. Several major indigenous cultures flourished in this precolonial period including the Olmec, Maya, and Aztec civilizations.



These indigenous groups developed innovative farming techniques and built large urban centers. <a href="https://maya.nmai.si.edu/the-maya/creation-story-maya">The Maya</a> were skilled astronomers and mathematicians, and developed the unique<a href="https://maya.nmai.si.edu/calendar/calendar-system"> Mayan calendar</a>. They left behind sophisticated art and architecture and massive stone pyramids. The Aztec city of Tenochtitlan, built on an island in Lake Texcoco, was at the center of a <a href="https://learninglab.si.edu/collections/aztecs/gUF9FfFqXvfMoF4H#r/313707">vast Aztec empire</a>.



Another city, Teotihuacan founded 2,000 years ago, was the sixth largest urban center in the world at its zenith around the second century AD with a population of more than 120,000. The massive stone pyramids of Teotihuacan can still be seen today. Each of these cultures had their own unique art, music, and belief systems. They each had intricate trade and social hierarchies that buttressed their societies.



Spanish explorers first set foot in Mexico in 1519, and Hernan Cortes conquered the Aztecs by 1521 beginning what became 300 years of Spanish rule.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading">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 for people with <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/ancestry-reports/african-ethnolinguistic-groups/">African Ancestry</a>, <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/ancestry-reports/ancestry-composition-update-china/">Chinese ancestry,</a> <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/23andme-adds-more-detail-for-indigenous-caribbean-ancestry">Indigenous Caribbean Ancestry,</a> <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/23andme-adds-more-detail-for-spanish-and-portuguese-ancestry">Spanish and Portuguese Ancestry,</a> <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/ancestry-reports/indigenous-genetic-ancestry/">Indigenous American ancestry</a>, and <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/23andme-adds-more-detail-for-customers-with-british-and-irish-ancestry">British and Irish Ancestry</a>, for instance.



While 23andMe customers may already see evidence of recent ancestry within Mexico, this update and these Genetic Groups represent improvements in specificity. The Genetic Groups that are part of this update are also more reflective of the distinct regional populations and customers&#8217; ancestry.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading">Regions in Mexico covered in this update</h6>



Today, Mexico recognizes 68 different ethnic groups clustered into <a href="https://www.inali.gob.mx/clin-inali/">11 linguistic families</a>, these in turn can be divided into Northern and Southern regions of Mexico.



23andMe’s new Indigenous Mexico Genetic Groups looks at 28 groups that are also divided between Northern Mexico and Southern Mexico. Many of these Genetic Groups correspond to shared Indigenous American ancestry from parts of Mexico associated with important Indigenous agricultural innovations or specific Indigenous groups. For instance, in the Southern area, some of the Genetic Groups identified are in the Balsas River Basin, which covers an area believed to be where, 9,000 years ago, <a href="https://www.si.edu/newsdesk/releases/new-research-reveals-earliest-evidence-corn-new-world">maize (corn) was first domesticated</a>. Many of the other Genetic Groups correspond with regions once part of the Maya civilization, where Mayan languages are still spoken today. Within the Oaxaca Valley, Zapotec languages predominate, while Mixtec is common in western Oaxaca and southeastern Guerrero.



Below are the lists of Genetic Groups 23andMe has added.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading">The Northern Indigenous Mexican Genetic Groups are divided into nine regions:</h6>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Northern Mexican Plateau</li>



<li>Mexican Volcanic Cordillera—East Central</li>



<li>Mexican Volcanic Cordillera—West</li>



<li>Plains of Northeastern Mexico</li>



<li>Sonoran Desert and Baja California</li>



<li>West Central Mexico</li>



<li>East Central Mexico</li>



<li>Upper Santiago River Basin</li>



<li>Mexican Volcanic Cordillera—West Central</li>
</ul>



<h6 class="wp-block-heading">The Southern Indigenous Mexican Genetic Groups are divided into 19 regions:</h6>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Yucatán Peninsula</li>



<li>Balsas River Basin—Central Guerrero</li>



<li>Valley of Oaxaca—Ejutla</li>



<li>Valley of Oaxaca—Tlacolula</li>



<li>Sierra Norte of Oaxaca</li>



<li>Chiapas Highlands</li>



<li>Isthmus of Tehuantepec—Oaxaca</li>



<li>Sierra Madre del Sur—Coast</li>



<li>Balsas River Basin—Huitzuco</li>



<li>Mexican Volcanic Cordillera—South Central</li>



<li>Balsas River Basin—North Guerrero</li>



<li>Mexican Volcanic Cordillera—Citlaltépetl and Tehuacán</li>



<li>Balsas River Basin—Tierra Caliente</li>



<li>Mexican Volcanic Cordillera—West Puebla</li>



<li>Balsas River Basin—Southwest Puebla</li>



<li>La Mixteca</li>



<li>Mexican Volcanic Cordillera—Veracruz</li>



<li>Balsas River Basin—West Guerrero</li>



<li>La Mixteca—North</li>
</ul>



More than half a million 23andMe 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.



Among customers with four grandparents from Mexico, around 60 percent will receive a match to a Genetic Group in northern Mexico, while 30 percent will receive a match to a Genetic Group in southern Mexico.



The most common clusters in the North include the Mexican Volcanic Cordillera—West, the Upper Santiago River Basin, and the Sonoran Desert and Baja California regions. In the south the Yucatan Peninsula, Chiapas Highlands and the Balsas River Basin—West Guerrero were among the top clusters.



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



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 that shows the indigenous Mexican regions.

23andMe Adds More Detail for Indigenous Mexican Ancestry

23andMe is working on a potential new cancer therapy, an antibody referred to as 23ME-00610 (23ME’610), currently in a Phase 1/2a clinical trial. Results from the Phase 1 portion of the trial <a href="https://investors.23andme.com/news-releases/news-release-details/23andme-announces-phase-1-results-first-human-phase-12a-study">were reported</a> recently at the annual American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) meeting in Orlando.



The class of drugs referred to as ‘Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors’ are designed to correct and reverse a tactic that some cancers deploy to allow them to grow and spread in the body.&nbsp; Some tumors are able to survive because they hijack what is referred to as an immune checkpoint, to prevent the immune system from recognizing and attacking cancer cells. Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors restore the function of key immune checkpoints, helping people with cancer to turn their immune cells back on, so the immune cells can recognize and kill the tumor cells.&nbsp;



23ME’610 is designed to do something similar, by binding to a receptor called CD200R1, which was identified as a promising anti-cancer target by 23andMe scientists studying the 23andMe database. CD200R1 is a cell surface receptor protein that is mostly expressed on human immune cells, specifically cancer-fighting T cells and myeloid cells. Tumor cells can express CD200, the only known binding partner for CD200R1, and use this regulatory protein to turn off the activity of T cells. A drug that blocks the ability of CD200 to bind to CD200R1 may activate T cells and enhance their ability to kill cancer cells.



The Phase 1 portion of the clinical trial evaluated the safety and tolerability of 23ME’610 in patients with advanced or metastatic solid tumors across a range of different doses. This Phase 1 portion also looked at whether 23ME-00610 bound to the intended target, CD200R1, on immune cells in the blood.



&#8220;We are pleased with the Phase 1 data,&#8221; said Jennifer Low, MD, Ph.D., Head of Therapeutics Development at 23andMe. &#8220;The Phase 2a portion of the study is now underway, and we look forward to further evaluation.&#8221;



In the Phase 1 portion of the study, 23ME’610 demonstrated an acceptable safety profile as well as other criteria including how it is metabolized and eliminated by the body. No dose limiting toxicities or <a href="https://toolkit.ncats.nih.gov/glossary/serious-adverse-event/">serious side effects </a>related to 23ME’610 were observed. The most commonly observed side effects were headache, fatigue, nausea and itching. More immune-related side effects, including hypothyroidism, rashes, fatigue, and chills were observed at higher doses of 23ME’610. The overall findings from Phase 1 support the progression of 23ME’610 to the next phase of clinical development.



In the Phase 2a portion of the trial, researchers are evaluating whether 23ME’610 can reduce tumor size and stop disease progression in patients with different cancer types, using a dose of 1400 mg, given intravenously every three weeks.&nbsp;



You can find additional details about our key results from the study presented at the AACR meeting <a href="https://investors.23andme.com/static-files/11a8206f-1f24-47c7-a64a-fe6b3b443b3a">here</a>.&nbsp;



Learn more about 23andMe&#8217;s Therapeutics along with the work on <a href="https://www.23andme.com/therapeutics/pipeline/23me-00610/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">23ME&#8217;610 here.</a>

An Update on Clinical Trial for 23ME-00610

Have you ever wondered how to get started with 23andMe? 



Check out this interactive game and learn just how easy it is to submit your DNA sample. From selecting your kit to providing your saliva sample and sending it off to our labs to be processed.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-it-s-so-easy">It’s so easy!</h6>



<div style="padding-bottom: 56.25%; position: relative; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%;"><iframe src="https://player.adventr.io/index.html?link=https%3A%2F%2Fd252srr1zuysk4.cloudfront.net%2Fclients%2F4475%2F12895%2Fpublished%2F4475-it-s-so-easy-23andme-interactive-game-60365084.data&#038;initial=v2-10-opening-j9hc" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; fullscreen; clipboard-read; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; geolocation; microphone" style="position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%;"></iframe></div>

An image of video for 23andMe it's so easy, that is an interactive game

23andMe, It’s So Easy

23andMe’s new Chief Corporate Development Officer, Reza Afkhami took some time before starting in his new job to chat about his career, joining 23andMe, and his new role cultivating partnerships and collaborations for our therapeutics, research services and consumer divisions.



Reza comes to the job with more than two decades of experience in biotech corporate development. His last role was as the Senior Vice President for Corporate Development and Strategy at Global Blood Therapeutics, a biopharmaceutical company focused on innovative therapies for treating sickle cell disease. That company was purchased last year by Pfizer.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="1024" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/IMG_2999-1-1024x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-31778" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/IMG_2999-1-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/IMG_2999-1-150x150.jpg 150w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/IMG_2999-1-300x300.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/IMG_2999-1-768x768.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/IMG_2999-1-880x880.jpg 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/IMG_2999-1-1180x1180.jpg 1180w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/IMG_2999-1-271x271.jpg 271w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/IMG_2999-1-372x372.jpg 372w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/IMG_2999-1-574x574.jpg 574w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/IMG_2999-1-980x980.jpg 980w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/IMG_2999-1.jpg 1675w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo credit: Jim Block</figcaption></figure>



Before that, Reza was the Vice President of Corporate Development and Strategy at Surrozen. Surrozen is a biotechnology company focused on developing tissue-specific antibodies to create therapies for disease of the intestine, liver, retina, cornea, lung, kidney, cochlea, skin, pancreas, and central nervous system. His long and distinguished career also includes positions overseeing global commercial strategy and planning, other roles leading teams handling business development and market intelligence, as well as managing and supporting partnerships. His work has helped the companies he’s worked for grow from early-stage drug discovery through to fully integrated biotech companies.



Here at 23andMe he’ll lead our business development team, across our therapeutics, research services and consumer groups. Reza will be responsible for spearheading and driving a wide range of industry collaborations for 23andMe.



Here’s a little bit from our discussion with Reza. His responses have been edited for length.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-1-you-studied-international-economics-at-georgetown-and-received-an-mba-from-uc-berkeley-what-drew-you-to-a-career-in-biotech">1) You studied international economics at Georgetown and received an MBA from UC Berkeley. What drew you to a career in biotech?&nbsp;</h6>



While growing up in France at the end of the Cold War, I was exposed to multiple languages and cultures. Pursuing a career in foreign service would be a natural fit. However, getting exposed to government work and the less appealing aspects of politics at Georgetown changed that. I switched coursework to focus more on economics and finance and pursued internships with businesses rather than institutions.&nbsp;



I started my career in the early 1990s as the internet boom began. I eventually worked with a company that was taken over by a telecom company tied to that tech boom. It wasn’t a great experience, and I left to start an MBA program at UC Berkeley. Soon after I started that program, the company became embroiled in a scandal. Then 9/11 happened, and we had the dot-com bust and recession. I mention that because it changed what I wanted to do and how I looked at internet technology companies. Right then, I stumbled upon biotech, which felt like a breath of fresh air. These were brilliant people doing interesting things, all focused on developing drugs to help cure disease. My first job out of business school was with CV Therapeutics.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading">2) What will you be focused on at 23andMe?</h6>



I’ve spent two decades in biotech. The synergy between the consumer business, the research services, and the therapeutics groups attracted me to this position. They each offer the potential to develop different kinds of partnerships, and that’s appealing to me.&nbsp;



There is this potential of augmenting what 23andMe is already doing through collaborations and partnerships, whether on the consumer side by helping consumers get access to the kind of genetic information they can use to better their lives, or on the research side with all these incredible insights, or on the therapeutics side and leveraging all this data to develop new therapies.&nbsp;



The challenge is prioritizing what opportunities will be best for the company and our mission.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading">3) Does your new role differ from your past roles and responsibilities, if so how?</h6>



I have experience in B2B transactions, and the key to success is finding ways for both parties to win. When it comes to 23andMe’s consumer products, our research, and our therapeutics development there are different kinds of considerations for collaborations and partnership.&nbsp;



It will be fascinating and challenging. There’s a lot of potential and I think we will make a real difference in people’s lives.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading">4) What are you most excited about regarding 23andMe and what our Therapeutics team is doing?</h6>



23andMe&#8217;s unique advantage is our incredible database and our ability to use genetics to identify drug development targets. That&#8217;s very exciting.&nbsp;



Drug development takes a very long time, is expensive, and has a low success rate. The result is a lot of wasted time and money. However, if we start with a target that is validated using genetics, in that case, we have a much better chance for success. Using validation first gives us a better starting point for drug development. Improving the drug development process by even a few percentage points could save billions of dollars and, more importantly, improve the chances of finding new treatments for patients who need them. I&#8217;m excited about that.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading">5) You’ve spent a career in biotech and have a good grasp of the industry. Do you think the industry in general realizes that 23andMe is a full biotech company?</h6>



People in the industry don’t know the full extent of what 23andMe is capable of. I think many are even shocked by the size of our therapeutics team and that we’re currently working on so many programs in the preclinical stage. This lack of awareness around our therapeutics work is partly because 23andMe’s consumer brand is so strong that everything else we do is hidden behind that big veil.



There are some challenges there, and even skepticism, but that also presents an opportunity once potential partners and collaborators see what we can actually do.

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