But you might be even more special than any of us suspected, and we want to learn a little more about that.



23andMe’s unique research model allows our scientists to leverage data from millions of customers who consent to participate in our research. This gives us data at unprecedented scale to reveal more quickly and efficiently not just the causes for illness but also their potential treatments. 



That’s the power of “big data.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Data-Viz-1024x576.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-25916" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Data-Viz-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Data-Viz-300x169.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Data-Viz-768x432.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Data-Viz-880x495.jpg 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Data-Viz-1180x663.jpg 1180w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Data-Viz.jpg 1366w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



But there’s also power in small data — finding individuals whose genetics makes them especially interesting. 



So 23andMe researchers are undertaking a pilot project that will include several dozen customers who’ve consented to participate in research and have something unique in their genome that could help our scientists to better understand metabolic conditions such as heart disease or type 2 diabetes. These customers have agreed to be re-contacted by 23andMe researchers.



Along with looking at genetics, health history and the conditions research participants report that they currently have, we’ll also be adding basic blood panel data from these individuals — such as lipid levels and glucose. For this data we’ll be enlisting the help of<a href="https://ixlayer.com/"> ixlayer</a>, a leading remote diagnostic testing platform. <a href="https://ixlayer.com/">ixlayer</a> will be coordinating both the at-home blood draw experience and the lab work at a national scale and then 23andMe will be incorporating that data into our analysis.



So, what’s so interesting about adding this kind of data to the data we already have, and why are we focused on just a few dozen individuals?



<div style="float: right; text-align: justified; width: 300px; background-color: #eee; padding: 15px; margin-left: 10px;">Research Opportunities Based on Your Unreported Genetics

The participants in this study represent a group of our research participants who’ve gone through an additional layer of consent.
For this research our research participants have opted-in to being contacted by our researchers about research opportunities based on genetic information not included in their 23andMe reports.
These research opportunities might be related to specific conditions for which we currently do not yet have a report. Those who agree to participate and who are contacted for specific studies may only learn about the condition being studied but not the specific variant.
Like all our research, participants must opt-in to be included, and those who are currently participating can change their minds and then opt-out at any time.
Interested in 23andMe Research? 
Find out more <a href="https://research.23andme.com/">here</a>.
</div>



We’ll explain.



Studying individuals who maybe would be expected to have a condition but do not because of something in their genome, or other individuals who are healthy but have a rare genetic variant that turns off the function of a gene, could tell us a lot about certain diseases and potential ways to treat them.



People who have a rare genetic variant that turns off a gene, known as a “loss of function” variant, or others who have a variant that heightens the expression of a gene or gives it a new activity, known as a “gain of function” variant, offer researchers the potential to find much deeper insight. 



In cases where healthy individuals have one of these rare variants in a gene that is also associated with a condition — say high or low cholesterol — it indicates for those studying these conditions whether boosting or diminishing the function of that gene to treat an illness may be safe to do. Individuals with rare genotypes can offer insights not just into a specific disease, they can also give insight into whether a specific drug is safe or not.



There are already real-world examples of how this works. The most cited is that of extremely rare individuals who have dual “loss of function” variants in the gene PCSK9, which is involved with the regulation of the amount of cholesterol in the bloodstream. Individuals who had loss of function variants in both copies of that gene were shown to have very low LDL levels, or so called “bad” cholesterol, but importantly, were otherwise healthy despite having no PCSK9 function. Medications were developed that inhibited PCSK9, lowering LDL levels and in turn substantially reducing the risk for a cardiovascular event.



There are other examples of individuals who had something in their genome that made them resistant to certain diseases like HIV, Alzheimer’s disease or diabetes. A deeper understanding about what in their genome contributes to that could help those studying these conditions and looking for new treatments.



That’s the motivation with this small pilot study. The first step is finding these special individuals, and then it’s gathering data for a deeper understanding of what makes them unique. Ultimately, the hope is that this will lead to potential treatments and cures.



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



About ixlayer



<a href="https://ixlayer.com/">ixlayer</a> is redefining next generation patient experiences for lab testing and better health outcomes. They make it easy for people to test outside of clinical settings and take proactive steps towards better health. ixlayer collaborates with a wide variety of organizations to create configurable solutions for their patients and research participants. Their platform enables patient-friendly digital experiences, 1000s of testing options and seamless integration with their customers and lab partners.&nbsp;



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

23andMe Blog

23andMe Blog Team

We Know You’re Special

As part of a series of ancestry updates, 23andMe has added finer detail for customers with British &amp; Irish ancestry.



More than half of our customers on the <a href="https://customercare.23andme.com/hc/en-us/articles/218392668-Upgrading-to-23andMe-s-Newest-Chip-Version">latest genotyping chip</a>, v5, will likely match one or more of the 38 Genetic Groups we added for customers with ancestry in Ireland and Great Britain (often referred to, together, as the British Isles). These include one Genetic Group in Wales, 17 in England, eight in Scotland, and 12 in Ireland.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="922" height="682" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/VA-British-Irish.png" alt="" class="wp-image-31126" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/VA-British-Irish.png 922w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/VA-British-Irish-300x222.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/VA-British-Irish-768x568.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/VA-British-Irish-880x651.png 880w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 922px) 100vw, 922px" /></figure>



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ireland-and-great-britain">Ireland and Great Britain</h6>



The history and genetic landscape of the British Isles — which include Great Britain, Ireland, the Isle of Man, the Hebrides, and the Northern Isles — were largely shaped by waves of Celtic, then Anglo-Saxon, and Viking migrations from northwestern Europe. More recently, the people of the Isles have left their genetic fingerprints around the world, following centuries of nautical exploration, colonization, and immigration.



And although the Republic of Ireland is now independent of the United Kingdom—and Scotland and Wales have distinct cultural identities of their own—the people of the British Isles share this common genetic history and cross-cultural mixing.



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



This update helps people with roots in this region discern more detail in their connections. The update also reflects that 23andMe&#8217;s Ancestry Composition report is a living analysis. Therefore, it improves over time as we add new reference data.&nbsp;



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. Using these tools allows 23andMe to create and continuously improve our customers&#8217; results. Some recent updates include adding finer detail for customers 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/ancestry-reports/indigenous-genetic-ancestry/">Indigenous American ancestry</a>, <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/ancestry-reports/caribbean-latin-american/">Latine ancestry</a>, <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/detail-for-ashkenazi-ancestry">Ashkenazi ancestry</a>, and <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/23andme-adds-more-detail-for-spanish-and-portuguese-ancestry">Spanish &amp; Portuguese ancestry</a>.&nbsp;



For many customers with ancestry from the British Isles, this new update will improve the specificity of their results and connect them to Genetic Groups within the region. However, not all v5 customers with British and Irish ancestry will receive new Genetic Group matches with this update. We identify these Genetic Groups by using identity-by-descent, which relies on heavy-duty computing to find clusters of individuals with shared segments of DNA. Those clusters also align with specific geographic regions.&nbsp;



While these Genetic Groups may sometimes overlap and do not necessarily reflect political boundaries, they often are more reflective of the distinct regional populations that connect to a customer&#8217;s ancestry.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="807" height="1024" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/British-Isles-807x1024.png" alt="" class="wp-image-31123" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/British-Isles-807x1024.png 807w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/British-Isles-236x300.png 236w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/British-Isles-768x975.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/British-Isles-693x880.png 693w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/British-Isles.png 846w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 807px) 100vw, 807px" /></figure>



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-regions-in-the-british-isles">Regions in the British Isles</h6>



In this update, the new methodology and algorithms use data from groups with four grandparents from specific parts of Ireland and Great Britain. Using these regional populations as reference data, we can connect customers with ancestry to those regional genetic groups through their shared DNA.&nbsp;



While people from Ireland, Britain, or Scotland tend to be genetically similar, genetic clusters show that even within countries, there are distinct regional differences, and this update captures some of that.



The most common Genetic Groups in the British Isles include Scots Irish, South England, Northeast England, Southwest England, East Anglia, Scottish Lowlands, and Wales.&nbsp;



The Scottish Highlands, the Northern Isles, Southwest Munster, and Galway are the least common.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="432" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/britishirish_edu1_2x-1024x432.png" alt="" class="wp-image-31136" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/britishirish_edu1_2x-1024x432.png 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/britishirish_edu1_2x-300x127.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/britishirish_edu1_2x-768x324.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/britishirish_edu1_2x-880x371.png 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/britishirish_edu1_2x-1180x498.png 1180w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/britishirish_edu1_2x.png 1660w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-on-matching">More on Matching</h6>



Matching to one of these Genetic Groups means that you share a high genetic similarity with reference individuals in that group. While some regions overlap, we&#8217;ve distinguished each geographically and descriptively.&nbsp;



While customers may receive a likely or highly likely match to one of these Genetic Groups, this update does not provide more breakdowns for customers&#8217; British &amp; Irish ancestry percentages.&nbsp;



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-your-ancestry-matters-for-your-health">Your ancestry matters for your health</h6>



Many people find value in learning about their cultural roots. But knowing your ancestry can help you better understand your health. Your health and likelihood of developing certain conditions involve your environment, family history, and lifestyle. But your genetics also plays an important role, and some genetic risks are more common among people with specific ancestry.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="432" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/britishirish_edu6_2x-1024x432.png" alt="" class="wp-image-31134" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/britishirish_edu6_2x-1024x432.png 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/britishirish_edu6_2x-300x127.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/britishirish_edu6_2x-768x324.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/britishirish_edu6_2x-880x371.png 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/britishirish_edu6_2x-1180x498.png 1180w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/britishirish_edu6_2x.png 1660w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



So, for example, people with ancestry from the British Isles are more likely to carry a variant in the HFE gene associated with <a href="https://www.23andme.com/topics/health-predispositions/hereditary-hemochromatosis/">hereditary hemochromatosis.</a> Hereditary hemochromatosis, known as the &#8220;Celtic Curse,&#8221; is a condition characterized by an over-absorption of iron which in turn can cause damage to the joints and specific organs.&nbsp;



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



If you are a 23andMe customer with the <a href="https://customercare.23andme.com/hc/en-us/articles/218392668-Upgrading-to-23andMe-s-Newest-Chip-Version">latest genotyping chip</a>, V5, you can see your results in your Ancestry Composition report.



Not yet a customer? Find out more about <a href="https://www.23andme.com/compare-dna-tests/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">23andMe&#8217;s ancestry service and other services offered to customers here</a>.

More Detail for British and Irish Ancestry

This week, we released a new report powered by 23andMe research on attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) for 23andMe+ Premium members.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-is-adhd">What is ADHD?</h6>



ADHD is caused by differences in the brain that can affect attention, working memory, and something called “executive function” or the way the brain prioritizes or manages thoughts and behaviors. These differences can contribute to things like feeling restless, frequently losing things, difficulty completing tasks or projects, difficulty concentrating, forgetting important things, and/or difficulty coping with intense emotions. But these characteristics can show up differently in different people.



While anyone may occasionally experience those feelings or impulses, for those with ADHD these characteristics persist over time and can impact other areas of life like their ability to study, work and interact with others.



ADHD can also impact one’s health. Those with ADHD may be more likely to experience sleep disorders, for instance, mental health conditions like anxiety or depression, or substance abuse issues. But many people with ADHD report that there are also positive effects of having ADHD including being adventurous, creative, and hyper focused.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading">Prevalence</h6>



ADHD is most often diagnosed in children, but it could affect people of any age.



Just under 10 percent of children have been diagnosed with ADHD, according to the<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/data.html"> Centers for Disease Control and Prevention</a>. It’s almost twice as likely to be diagnosed in boys, with about 13 percent of boys having an ADHD diagnosis compared to about 6 percent of girls. However, it’s not clear whether boys more frequently experience ADHD, because <a href="https://chadd.org/for-adults/women-and-girls/">ADHD may be harder to recognize in girls compared to boys</a>. It is challenging to get an accurate estimate of ADHD prevalence in adults but one 2006 study by researchers at<a href="https://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/doi/full/10.1176/ajp.2006.163.4.716"> Harvard Medical School’s Department of Public Health</a> estimated that it affects 4 percent of adults. However <a href="https://chadd.org/for-adults/diagnosis-of-adhd-in-adults/">other studies</a> have found the prevalence to be even higher.



23andMe’s report is focused on adults and does not look at diagnosis of ADHD in childhood.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading">Our new report</h6>



23andMe’s new Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder 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 ADHD.



This estimate is made using a statistical model that includes thousands of genetic markers and information on an individual’s ethnicity and birth sex. 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>.



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



Based on<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24107258/"> a large twin study</a>, it is estimated that about 70-80 percent of the chances of developing ADHD may be explained by genetic factors. Scientists are still learning more about the genes involved and about other factors that may be involved in ADHD predisposition.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading">Living with ADHD</h6>



When characteristics of ADHD become problematic, they can be managed with medication, or with accommodations at the workplace or school. In addition, having support from a psychotherapist or counselor, who can offer behavioral strategies can also help.



Strategies that many people with ADHD find helpful include tools used to help in organizing time or space. Improving sleep can also go a long way toward helping alleviate problems, so it’s often a good first problem to tackle. To address sleep issues, those with ADHD have been helped by improving sleep habits, better bedtime routines, and limits on screen time before bedtime, for instance, but if that’s not enough additional treatment may be needed.



In addition, for people who want to support others with ADHD, a good first step is educating yourself about ADHD and learning how to adjust your actions and communication style to better accommodate their needs.



As we mentioned above, many people with ADHD find the focus in medical research on the negative impacts are often more related to external standards imposed by society. Finding ways to adapt schools, workplaces or other institutions to accommodate those with ADHD would help reduce the challenges that people with ADHD may face. It’s also important to know that recent studies looking at perspectives from those with ADHD found that a majority said there were many positive aspects of having ADHD. Among the traits they saw as positive were their drive, adventurousness, creativity, flexibility, hyper-focus and willingness to assist others.



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



23andMe’s new Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (powered by 23andMe Research) is available to all annual members of the 23andMe+ Premium Membership.



To view your report, go <a href="https://you.23andme.com/reports/prs.adhd/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;



Want to join our <a href="https://www.23andme.com/membership/">23andMe+ Premium Membership</a>?



Find out more <a href="https://www.23andme.com/membership/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>.

An image announcing 23andMe+'s new ADHD report

New 23andMe+ Premium Report on Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Editor&#8217;s Note:There are some stories so good they need to be told a couple of times over, so for St. Patrick’s Day we thought it right to reshare a post from last year about Mary and her son Ryan connecting with their roots in Ireland. So enjoy and Happy St. Paddy’s Day.
Each March, when she was still in grade school, Mary’s parents would dress her in what passed for Irish clothes — a lot of green — to celebrate the feast of St. Patrick’s with other families who’d adopted children from Ireland.
Like two of her six siblings, Mary was adopted from an orphanage in Ireland in the early 1950s. She was raised by a family in California. She always knew she was adopted from Ireland, but she didn’t really know what it meant to be Irish.
For such a small place, Ireland has an outsized influence on the American psyche. About 31 million Americans claim<a href="https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=ACSDT1Y2019.B04006&amp;tid=ACSDT5Y2019.B04006&amp;hidePreview=true"> Irish ancestry</a>, according to the last Census. And whether it’s Frank McCourt’s book “<a href="http://catdir.loc.gov/catdir/description/simon033/96005335.html">Angela’s Ashes,</a>” or Mary McCarthy’s “<a href="https://www.worldcat.org/title/memories-of-a-catholic-girlhood/oclc/506838147?loc=">Memories of a Catholic Girl</a>,” or the book “<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Tree_Grows_in_Brooklyn_(novel)">A Tree Grows in Brooklyn</a>,” most of the best Irish-American stories are intertwined with sadness, humor, and family. Mary’s story has a little bit of each.
For St. Paddy’s Day this year, we wanted to share her story and the story of her children, and how they all connected to more than one hundred family members in Ireland that they never knew they had. Making that connection not only bonded them to people but to a place that felt familiar. Mary’s son Ryan summed up the feeling of meeting new cousins in Ireland, seeing resemblances to him and his brother and sister, and the joy of hearing family history entwined with the history of Ireland.
“I’ve never had this kind of connectedness before,” he said. “I went from being in a place where I felt like I had no connection to going to a place where I feel more connected.”

 <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-style-default"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="515" src="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Ryan-and-Mary-1024x515.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-29622" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Ryan-and-Mary-1024x515.jpg 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Ryan-and-Mary-300x151.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Ryan-and-Mary-768x386.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Ryan-and-Mary-880x442.jpg 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Ryan-and-Mary-1180x593.jpg 1180w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
 
<h6>California Irish</h6>
For his mom, that connection was more than half a century in the making.
As a child, Mary always celebrated St. Patrick&#8217;s Day but that was the extent of her Irishness. Three of her brothers, her parents’ biological children, were all blonde, blue-eyed “California boys.” And although she felt loved, Mary also felt alien with her dark hair, blue eyes, and pale skin.
“I lacked that underlying sense of belonging,” she said.
That was something she would have never said out loud because she didn’t want to insult her family or appear ungrateful, but she didn’t see herself in them. And Mary lacked any connection to her birth family or the land of her birth, Ireland.
“I always wondered, you know, who am I and where do I come from?”
<h6>St. Patrick’s Mother and Baby Home</h6>
In the 1950s, being an unwed mother in Ireland meant shame and ostracism, even more than it did in the US. When women became pregnant out of wedlock, their families often sent them off to special homes, many of which were run by the Catholic church. They’d stay at those homes for many months until they gave birth. After her birth at<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Patrick%27s_Mother_and_Baby_Home"> St. Patrick’s Mother and Baby Home</a>, Mary remained until she was adopted at six months and then sent to California.
What happened at St. Patrick’s Mother and Baby Home — and at other homes like it across Ireland —only<a href="https://www.thejournal.ie/what-is-the-mother-and-baby-homes-commission-ireland-5249377-Oct2020/"> came to light</a> decades later. The rate of infant mortality was quite high. For the children who were not adopted to families, life there could be quite bleak, and sometimes the young mothers only reluctantly gave up their children. So in many ways, Mary knows she was fortunate to have been brought to the US. Still, she wanted to know more.
All Mary had was a passport and a birth certificate that listed her mother’s name and where she’d been born. In the 1970s she learned more about St. Patrick’s Mother and Baby Home, which she visited when she traveled there in the 1970s. But she didn’t have any other information on her birth mother. She was helped eventually by an Irish citizen who’d made it his mission to help adoptees and their birth mothers find each other if they wanted or to simply learn more about what had happened to them. Some birth mothers had only given up their children under duress and wanted to find them. The 2013 movie<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philomena_(film)"> Philomena</a> detailed one mother’s search for her child sent to the United States.
Mary’s story was different. She did eventually travel to Ireland in the 1970s and visit the orphanage. It wasn’t until later in the 1990s with the help from the Irish citizen who helped adoptees like her that she was able to connect with her birth mother’s sister. But her efforts to meet her mother were rebuffed at that time. Mary was able to give her photos of her and her children to share with her birth mother.
“There was still a lot of fear and shame,” Mary said.
Few biological family members even knew of her birth.

 <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-style-default"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="999" src="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Ryan-Mary-Michael-and-the-first-cousins-1-1024x999.png" alt="" class="wp-image-29624" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Ryan-Mary-Michael-and-the-first-cousins-1-1024x999.png 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Ryan-Mary-Michael-and-the-first-cousins-1-300x293.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Ryan-Mary-Michael-and-the-first-cousins-1-768x749.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Ryan-Mary-Michael-and-the-first-cousins-1-880x858.png 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Ryan-Mary-Michael-and-the-first-cousins-1-1180x1151.png 1180w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Ryan-Mary-Michael-and-the-first-cousins-1.png 1468w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
 
<h6>DNA Unlocks the Secret</h6>
Despite not meeting family, Mary felt the pull of something deeper from that trip.
“I saw more people who looked like me,” she said. “I became interested in learning more about where I came from.”&nbsp;
All that would have to wait, though. This was all long before DNA testing opened up ways of finding families that didn’t rely on a paper trail. With name changes and her father’s name unknown to her, Mary had very little to go on. Besides, she soon started a family of her own. She was busy working as a nurse and raising her sons Ryan and Michael and her daughter Stephanie.
Mary had her life to live, and her search grew dormant.
It wasn’t until her own children were grown that the possibility to connect with her birth family in Ireland emerged again. But this time it was her children who picked up her search. It started with her daughter, Stephanie, who used 23andMe to explore health insights, but noticed a message from an unknown DNA relative.
The relative was in Ireland and had no idea that he had a close cousin in the United States. He was in shock and wanted to know more.&nbsp;
“He ended up being my mom’s cousin,” said Ryan. “After a few texts and emails over a few days, we were able to pinpoint who my mother’s father was.”
For the first time, Mary learned a bit about her father. He’d been a bouncer and a process server. He traveled a bit, worked in Dublin, and served in the military in England. He had at least one other child out of wedlock, who Mary connected with and who lived in Scotland. After he was married, he had five other daughters and one son. He and his wife lost two other children. Most of her siblings, however, were still alive with adult children of their own.
As they messaged back and forth they were able to piece together more about him and her family, but none had known of Mary&#8217;s existence. Her father had passed away and they couldn’t ask him, so she didn’t know how he met her birth mother or the circumstances around her birth. As for her mother’s side, after her initial efforts were rebuffed she had more luck in 2001 when she connected with a sister, and although she didn’t meet her birth mother she shared photos of her family for her birth mother to see.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Apart from her mother and her mother’s older sister, no one knew of her birth, Mary said. They too were shocked, but most of them were open, once they learned of her existence. She found out that she had four maternal sisters and one brother. On her father’s side, she had five sisters and one brother. She has one other brother, on her father’s side who was also adopted by a family in Scotland. Suddenly Mary had dozens and dozens of Irish relatives who were eager to meet her.
“It was a shock when they found out; no one knew,” Mary said.

 <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-style-default"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="768" height="1024" src="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/bw-1-1-768x1024.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-29619" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/bw-1-1-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/bw-1-1-225x300.jpeg 225w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/bw-1-1-660x880.jpeg 660w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/bw-1-1-885x1180.jpeg 885w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/bw-1-1.jpeg 1158w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure>
 
<h6>An Irish Welcome</h6>
In 2019 before the pandemic, Mary and her children visited Ireland. Mary went back to where the orphanage once had been and visited some of the places she’d been before. But this time she was brought into the homes of her family.
Gone was the shame of the secret of having had a child out of wedlock, replaced by curiosity and a desire to connect with family.&nbsp;
Mary met her siblings, and more than 100 cousins, nieces, and nephews. Her sisters noticed the family connection right away.
At one of the meetings with her sisters, she walked into a home and toward the back of the house, looking out the window and sort of surveying her surroundings. Her sisters said that was just what they do. And two of her sisters on her mother’s side are nurses, like her.&nbsp;
One relative took Mary and Ryan around Westport in County Mayo where relatives lived, and they would stop at homes or pubs to meet relatives. She got to see photos of those who passed away. Sometimes she’d meet a cousin or a niece or nephew and she’d be struck dumb by how much they looked like one of her sons or her daughter.
“It was a little surreal,” Mary said.
And perhaps what she didn’t expect was how important it all was for her children. This connection was missing for them, too, so seeing it had a profound impact.
Mary said that listening to her son Ryan explain their story struck her because she suddenly understood that they felt some of what she felt looking around at her adopted family and not seeing herself in them.
“I never realized that for them it was also hard to be around family that doesn’t look anything like them,” she said.
After their trip to Ireland, several of their Irish relatives wanted to visit Mary and her children, but the pandemic postponed that reunion. The family hopes that they’ll be able to extend the welcome mat to their Irish family soon.
<h6>Find out more</h6>
Want to learn more about whether you have<a href="https://you.23andme.com/ancestry/"> Irish ancestry</a>? 23andMe customers go to their <a href="https://you.23andme.com/ancestry/">Ancestry Composition</a> to learn more.
Not yet a customer? Find out more about our <a href="https://www.23andme.com/dna-ancestry/">Ancestry Service here.</a>

An Irish Welcome

Researchers at the University of Oxford completed the largest study to date looking at the genetic basis for endometriosis.



The study, published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41588-023-01323-z" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Genetics</a>, found 42 genomic regions associated with endometriosis and revealed a shared genetic basis between endometriosis and pain traits, such as migraine, chronic and back pains. 



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pain-sensitivity">Pain Sensitivity</h6>



This could contribute to a heightened sensitivity of the nervous system making endometriosis patients more prone to pain. Women suffering from endometriosis are traditionally given hormone treatments, but these insights might draw attention to treating pain.



It&#8217;s estimated that one in ten women suffer from endometriosis, which is characterized by uterine tissue, called endometrium, developing outside of the uterus. This tissue often accumulates in the stomach, ovaries, fallopian tubes and ligaments around the reproductive organs. Along with the excruciating pain, this can result in scarring and infertility in up to half of the women who have the condition.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading">a Need for Better Diagnosis</h6>



For many women even getting a diagnosis of endometriosis can be a long and grueling process. 



A<a href="http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(17)31344-2/fulltext"> survey</a> of women with the condition published in the journal Lancet found that their top priority is finding a better way to diagnose the condition. Also on the list were better treatments for managing the symptoms of the disease, particularly the pain.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading">23andMe Data</h6>



This new study by researchers from Oxford included data from more than two dozen academic and industry research teams across the world, including 23andMe. 



In all, the study included data from about 760,000 women, about 60,000 of whom were diagnosed with endometriosis. Using data from both women with endometriosis and those without it helps researchers discern the biological basis for the condition. It also helps in the study of the onset and progression of the condition. About half of the data used in this study came from 23andMe customers who consented to participate in research. 



Using different datasets along with the details on surgical findings and pain experiences, improve what researchers could do.



“(It) allowed us to generate a treasure trove of new information about genetically driven endometriosis subtypes and pain experience,” <a href="https://www.wrh.ox.ac.uk/news/multiple-debilitating-pains-2013-new-global-study-shows-the-experience-of-endometriosis-is-rooted-in-a-person2019s-genetics" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">said Dr. Nilufer Rahmioglu,</a> Senior Research Scientist at the Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, and first author of the study.



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



You can read the full study <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41588-023-01323-z" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>.



Or read more coverage on the blog about endometriosis <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/endometriosis">here</a>.

Largest Genetic Study to Date Links Endometriosis with Chronic Pain

Our immune systems fight off bacteria, viruses, and infections in an almost daily battle to keep us healthy, but if you have an autoimmune disease, that natural defense system turns on itself, attacking healthy cells and tissue by mistake.



<figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-full is-resized is-style-default"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/pemphigus-V-image.png" alt="" class="wp-image-31265" width="362" height="358" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/pemphigus-V-image.png 530w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/pemphigus-V-image-300x297.png 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 362px) 100vw, 362px" /></figure>



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-autoimmune-awareness-month">Autoimmune Awareness Month</h6>



This month is Autoimmune Awareness Month, and 23andMe wants to shine a light on autoimmune diseases generally, which affect an estimated<a href="https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/conditions/autoimmune/index.cfm#footnote1"> 24 million people</a> in the United States alone. 



There are more than 80 known autoimmune diseases. Some of these are well known, such as<a href="https://www.23andme.com/lupus/"> lupus</a>, <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/snpwatch-two-studies-connect-more-immune-system-genes-to-rheumatoid-arthritis">rheumatoid arthritis</a>, <a href="https://www.23andme.com/ibd/">Crohn&#8217;s disease, and ulcerative colitis,</a> but others are rare and difficult to diagnose. There is a lot we do not know about these conditions and their causes, although genetics appears to play a role.



For those with an autoimmune disorder, particularly one that is rare, it can be jarring to learn that your body is at war with itself.



“It was devastating,” said Doris, a minister, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother in Louisiana who, in 2009, was diagnosed with the rare autoimmune disorder,<a href="https://www.pemphigus.org/pemphigus/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> pemphigus</a>.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading">Doris&#8217;s Story</h6>



<a href="https://www.23andme.com/rare-disease-research-study/pemphigus-vulgaris/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pemphigus vulgaris</a> is one of a group of autoimmune conditions that can be life-threatening without treatment. It is characterized by blisters and lesions on the mucous membranes and skin. It is also one of a dozen rare diseases 23andMe is researching as part of its<a href="https://www.23andme.com/rare-disease-research-study/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Rare Disease Research Study</a>.



For Doris, she thought her diagnosis was a death sentence. But 13 years later, she has a different perspective.



“I did not allow the disability to stop me from enjoying life and moving forward in life,” Doris said.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading">Finding Support</h6>



In the ensuing years, Doris retired from her job with a mortgage company, got her bachelor’s degree, then a master’s, and she will soon receive a doctorate. She plans to become a college professor and is taking classes in nonprofit management. Her diagnosis galvanized her, not just to pursue her dreams but also to better understand the condition and seek support from the<a href="https://www.pemphigus.org/pemphigus/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> International Pemphigus &amp; Pemphigoid Foundation</a> (IPPF).



But that journey wasn’t easy. While Doris’s story is unique, many of the things she has had to navigate will be familiar to others with an autoimmune condition or a rare disease. Often the most difficult step in the process is simply getting a proper diagnosis.



<figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Doris.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-31260" width="442" height="278" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Doris.jpg 621w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Doris-300x189.jpg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 442px) 100vw, 442px" /></figure>



<h6 class="wp-block-heading">After The Diagnosis</h6>



In Doris’s case that came after an unrelated surgery. While she was recovering, painful sores emerged in her mouth. At first this was thought to be related to the insertion of a breathing tube during surgery, but the sores didn’t go away for more than a week.



That’s when the ordeal of trying to figure out what it was began. The sores soon showed up elsewhere on her body, including in her eyes. Over the course of visiting various doctors, she was told she had thrush (a fungus) and HIV, among other things. She couldn’t eat and was losing weight rapidly when about a year after her symptoms first emerged, she was finally seen by an infectious disease doctor.



“I’ve been in practice for over 30+ years and I’ve only seen this twice,” Doris’s doctor said. “This is pemphigus vulgaris.”&nbsp;



<h6 class="wp-block-heading">A New Life Journey</h6>



She had a biopsy done confirming the diagnosis. But, as with many people who have a rare disease or an autoimmune disease, the diagnosis also raised new questions and a hunt for treatment that would work for her.



“It was the beginning of a new life journey,” Doris said.



She was prescribed steroids, as well as different immunosuppressant drugs. Those drugs are meant for preventing a person from rejecting an organ transplant but have been used to treat other autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis. She was given an anti-inflammatory drug and antibiotic used for treating skin lesions. She was given an intravenous medication meant to boost her antibodies. Doris also received monoclonal antibodies, and other drugs that are typically used to treat cancer.



“The drugs changed my life,” she said.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading">Remaining Positive</h6>



Some of the treatments worked and some didn’t. Doris&#8217;s side effects from the treatments included a heart attack, a stroke, excessive weight gain, mood changes, and glaucoma.



Through it all Doris has remained positive. She’s become a member of the IPPF foundation. She learned more about the condition, treatments, and found a community for support.



“If you are diagnosed with a rare disease, realize that it is not a death sentence but a different road to travel on the road that we call LIFE,” said Doris, who also volunteers doing ministry in the prison system. “Enjoy every moment of your life. Live each day as if it were your last, it just may be. Put your stripes on and always ‘Speak up and Speak out’ to let the world know that you are still here to make a difference.”



Learn more about 23andMe&#8217;s Rare Disease Research Study <a href="https://www.23andme.com/rare-disease-research-study/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>.



Learn more about Pemphigus vulgaris <a href="https://www.23andme.com/rare-disease-research-study/pemphigus-vulgaris/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>.

Autoimmune Awareness and a Rare Disease

Two new surveys find that most consumers and doctors believe genetic testing could help make healthcare more personalized.



Three-quarters of people surveyed said they’d be more likely to follow their doctor’s advice if their doctor used their genetic profile in tailoring that advice. Sixty-six percent of doctors said using genetic testing could help lead to better outcomes for patients.



“I am excited about a future where genetic information becomes the foundation of personalized health,” said Anne Wojcicki, 23andMe CEO and Co-Founder. “Since starting the company, 23andMe has been focused on helping our customers — and the world — benefit from genetics based prevention and treatment.”



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-genetic-data-and-your-health-profile">Genetic Data and Your Health Profile</h6>



The data comes from two national surveys on attitudes from primary care physicians and the general population about the role genetic testing might play in healthcare.* From the responses, both consumers and doctors believe genetics is essential. Among doctors, 92 percent said that genetics is integral to a patient’s health profile.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="621" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/92-percent-stat-1024x621.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-31268" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/92-percent-stat-1024x621.jpg 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/92-percent-stat-300x182.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/92-percent-stat-768x466.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/92-percent-stat-880x534.jpg 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/92-percent-stat-1180x716.jpg 1180w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/92-percent-stat.jpg 1386w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Among the general population, 75 percent said they would be more likely to follow a doctor’s advice if they knew their genetic profile was used to personalize their care.



But few people say they’re getting the kind of care tailored to them. Most people surveyed, 62 percent, said they wanted advice from their doctors tailored to them personally. However, only 36 percent said that’s what they were getting. The survey also found that many people were unsatisfied with their current state of health. More than half saying they don’t feel healthy and 63 percent saying they don’t feel in control of their health.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="645" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/75-percent-stat-1024x645.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-31267" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/75-percent-stat-1024x645.jpg 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/75-percent-stat-300x189.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/75-percent-stat-768x483.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/75-percent-stat-880x554.jpg 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/75-percent-stat-1180x743.jpg 1180w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/75-percent-stat.jpg 1333w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<h6 class="wp-block-heading">Doctors&#8217; Attitudes</h6>



For doctors, the survey revealed that testing could offer a way to connect with their patients and engage them more with their health. Sixty-two percent of doctors today say that genetic testing can help them provide more personalized care.



The survey of doctors is the third in a series of research surveys gauging doctors’ attitudes about genetic testing conducted by Medscape since 2018. It showed a marked change among physicians. This shift in attitude from doctors toward genetic testing and its potential use in care is starkly different than it has been in the past. Primary care physicians are much more aware of genetic testing and open to using it with patients.&nbsp;



<h6 class="wp-block-heading">More Doctors Have Themselves Tested</h6>



The survey showed a significant shift in the number of cases they had in which genetics was a factor. For example, in 2018, only about three in ten doctors regularly saw patient cases involving genetics. 



In this latest survey, more than half, 51 percent, of primary care physicians surveyed said they encountered one or more clinical cases a week where genetics plays a role. In addition, 34 percent of doctors in the 2022 survey said they had personally taken a direct-to-consumer genetic health test. In 2020 only about 7 percent of doctors said they’d taken a direct-to-consumer genetic health test.&nbsp;&nbsp;



You can find out more about the surveys <a href="https://www.23andme.com/dna-and-personalized-healthcare/?features=sophc_2023:on" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>.



*Based on 2022 surveys designed by 23andMe, Medscape, and Material Holdings LLC of approximately 1,000 doctors and approximately 1,500 patients in the U.S. ; Based on 2019 survey designed by 23andMe and M/A/R/C Research of approximately 1,000 23andMe Health + Ancestry customers.

Genetics May Be a Bridge to More Personalized Healthcare

In honor of International Women&#8217;s Day, Barbie®, as it has done since 2018, highlights inspiring female role models to encourage girls to dream big. 



As part of this effort and to inspire our local community, we invited a few girls over to 23andMe’s headquarters inspiring them to pursue their dreams and talk to our CEO and Co-Founder, Anne Wojcicki.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sisterhood">Sisterhood</h6>



Anne and her sisters, Susan, special advisor to Google and Alphabet, and Janet, a professor of pediatrics and epidemiology at UCSF, were among the women who work in the field of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) picked by Barbie® to inspire young girls during this year’s International Women’s Day. Also honored are <a href="https://www.katechazarreta.com/about">Kat Echazarret</a>, an electrical engineer and science show host; <a href="https://www.imperial.ac.uk/mechanical-engineering/people/meet-our-alumni/dr-maggie-aderin-pocock/">Dr. Maggie Aderin Pocock</a>, a space scientist, and educator; and <a href="https://www.awi.de/en/about-us/service/expert-database/antje-boetius.html">Professor Dr. Antje Boetius</a>, a marine researcher and microbiologist.



&#8220;My sisters were some of my strongest role models growing up and we all built careers based on our interest in STEM,” said Anne. “Our parents fostered independence and a belief that we could truly be anything we wanted to be when I grew up, but most important was to pursue a passion. I’m honored to celebrate International Women’s Day this year with Barbie alongside my family and these other powerful women in STEM leadership roles. I hope that sharing our stories encourages young girls to try something new, face something that may scare them, and look at challenges as exciting opportunities.”&nbsp;



<h6 class="wp-block-heading">Bridging the Dream Gap</h6>



Research shows that starting at age five, many girls begin to develop self-limiting beliefs and think they&#8217;re not as smart and capable as boys. They stop believing their gender can be anything. This issue is called the “dream gap.” &nbsp;It may also contribute to the need for more representation in careers grounded in science, technology, math, and engineering. To address this, Barbie launched the Dream Gap Project in 2018 — an ongoing global initiative that gives girls the resources and support they need to continue believing in themselves.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="768" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/AWBarbieFilming-99-1024x768.jpg" alt="A photo of Anne and three girls holding up their beaded bracelets." class="wp-image-31234" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/AWBarbieFilming-99-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/AWBarbieFilming-99-300x225.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/AWBarbieFilming-99-768x576.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/AWBarbieFilming-99-880x660.jpg 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/AWBarbieFilming-99-1180x885.jpg 1180w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



As part of the effort, the people from Barbie®’s “You Can Be Anything” YouTube series came to 23andMe headquarters to film Anne with three young girls from the <a href="https://www.bgcp.org/">Boys &amp; Girls Clubs of the Peninsula</a> — Kylie, 6, Emily, 8, and Arabella, 10. Together they talked a little bit about their dreams and goals, did some activities, and chatted about science.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading">A Primer on DNA</h6>



But first, Kylie had a question.



&#8220;Who named this place?&#8221; she asked.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-rich is-provider-embed-handler wp-block-embed-embed-handler wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="Science = FUN! | Barbie | You Can Be Anything" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SOtl97UANb0?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>



&#8220;I did,&#8221; Anne said.&nbsp;



It was a good question because the &#8220;23&#8221; in 23andMe, stands for the 23 pairs of chromosomes in each of us. And the question gave Anne a chance to explain to the girls a little bit about DNA and how much we share. We&#8217;re each 99.5 percent genetically similar, but that tiny difference in our DNA makes us each unique. That all segued nicely into the girls&#8217; project making bracelets with colored beads representing the four chemical bases of DNA — adenine (A), cytosine (C), guanine (G), and thymine (T).&nbsp;



Why bracelets?&nbsp;



A DNA molecule consists of two parallel strands twisted around each other. They&#8217;re held tight by a bond between the bases. Anne explained how each base, the ACG and Ts of our DNA, always pairs with the same complementary base. So, an A always pairs with a T, and C with G. The girls used this to create paired beaded bracelets. One of the bracelets they could keep and the other they could give to a friend.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="683" height="1024" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/AWBarbieFilming-38-683x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-31270" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/AWBarbieFilming-38-683x1024.jpg 683w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/AWBarbieFilming-38-200x300.jpg 200w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/AWBarbieFilming-38-768x1152.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/AWBarbieFilming-38-587x880.jpg 587w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/AWBarbieFilming-38-787x1180.jpg 787w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/AWBarbieFilming-38-scaled.jpg 1707w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px" /></figure>



<h6 class="wp-block-heading">Genes not Jeans</h6>



For Emily, creating the bracelets was the most fun part of the visit. However, each girl said they learned something new talking to Anne. Arabella was fascinated by the fact that humans and mice share DNA, while Kylie said she learned something about &#8220;genes.&#8221;



&#8220;Not these ones,&#8221; she added, pointing to the jeans she was wearing.



This effort by Barbie® is also grounded in encouraging girls to believe that they can be anything.&nbsp;



That message was loud and clear for Kylie, Emily, and Arabella. Each had goals and ambitions not hemmed in by expectations or lack thereof. Kylie and Arabella said they were interested in business because it sounded exciting. The prospect of earning good money was enticing. Emily was interested in math, mostly because she doesn&#8217;t love reading.&nbsp;



Yet what they will ultimately do was wide open. They mentioned being a doctor, chef, actor, or dancer. Each of the girls felt empowered to be whatever they wanted to be.



Learn more about Barbie®&#8217;s Dream Gap Project <a href="https://shop.mattel.com/pages/barbie-dream-gap">here</a>.



To watch the You Can Be Anything series, visit <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UipnUlq81JI&amp;t=616s">here</a>.



To learn more about the Boys and Girls Club of the Peninsula, go <a href="https://www.bgcp.org/">here</a>.



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



<h6 class="wp-block-heading">Making Your Own DNA Bracelet at Home</h6>



Want to get in on the fun and see how Kylie, Emily, Arabella, and Anne made their bracelets? Here’s how you can do it at home.



We have templates for four types of bracelets that are meant to represent the DNA of four different animals: a Monarch Butterfly, an American Black Bear, a rattlesnake, and an African Leopard.&nbsp;



First off you’ll need some string and a few dozen beads of four different colors. We used purple, green, blue and red — to represent the bases that make up DNA — adenine (A), cytosine (C), guanine (G), and thymine (T). Each bracelet has 21 beads. Part of the fun of this activity is creating a paired bracelet to match. Make sure you have enough beads of each color to make two full strands.



Below are more detailed instructions and the sequence for each animal. Have fun! 



<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-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="429" height="1024" data-id="31149" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Butterfly-Bear-Snake-and-Leopard-1-429x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-31149" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Butterfly-Bear-Snake-and-Leopard-1-429x1024.jpg 429w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Butterfly-Bear-Snake-and-Leopard-1-126x300.jpg 126w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Butterfly-Bear-Snake-and-Leopard-1-494x1180.jpg 494w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Butterfly-Bear-Snake-and-Leopard-1.jpg 524w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 429px) 100vw, 429px" /></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="451" height="1024" data-id="31148" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/bracelet-instructions-1-451x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-31148" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/bracelet-instructions-1-451x1024.jpg 451w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/bracelet-instructions-1-132x300.jpg 132w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/bracelet-instructions-1-387x880.jpg 387w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/bracelet-instructions-1-520x1180.jpg 520w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/bracelet-instructions-1.jpg 568w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 451px) 100vw, 451px" /></figure>
</figure>

A photo portrait of Anne Wojcicki, 23andMe's CEO and co-founder

Inspiring Young Girls

Being Black in Tech



By Elo Ratliff,* MPH



To honor Black History Month, we decided not to look backward this year but instead to look inward at 23andMe, asking Black professionals here for their perspective on working in biotechnology where representation is still sorely lacking.



Being Black in tech you often find yourself being the only, or one of a very few, Black people in the room. Getting comfortable with that is important, and for the Black and African American community, history has shown us it’s that resiliency which is the antidote to remedy this lack of representation.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-community">Community</h2>



That resiliency can help change the narrative in spaces where we do not typically see ourselves. In talking to my fellow members of the Black@23andMe Employee Resource Group (ERG), an affinity group aimed at supporting 23andMe employees who identify as Black, it takes more than just resiliency; it also takes community and support to sustain meaningful change.&nbsp;



For young Black professionals exploring their career paths, there are very limited outlets to expose them to job opportunities in technology, and many think that even if they do have some type of scientific or engineering background, they cannot work in tech. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Pathfinding</h2>



For 23andMe Research Associate Shaeloren Deering, who came to 23andMe after attending Spelman College and Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta, simply finding the path to a career in tech is harder for those in the Black community.&nbsp;



“I wish there were more avenues to expose future Black professionals to the various career opportunities in tech,” said Shaeloren, who supports recruitment efforts for 23andMe’s Therapeutics team.&nbsp;&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Support</h2>



But the challenges for Black tech workers don’t stop after you finally land a job. From building a network of support, to feeling overwhelmed by constantly being the minority, to lack of representation in leadership roles, it is challenging. 



There is immense pressure to always show up when you are one of the only minorities in the room, and pressure to suppress your authentic self to feel more accepted and validated in your thoughts.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="360" height="260" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Black@logo.png" alt="" class="wp-image-31187" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Black@logo.png 360w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Black@logo-300x217.png 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 360px) 100vw, 360px" /></figure>



There are many efforts to support underrepresented groups at 23andMe, and our ERGs are a part of that. 23andMe has also embraced Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), which is the idea that the workplace needs to ensure that no matter what community an individual belongs to, they always feel they are being treated fairly and are not being discriminated against due to any parts of their identity. Most often, a DEI strategy helps disadvantaged groups feel a sense of belonging in the workplace.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Being Your Authentic Self</h2>



23andMe has done a lot of work with DEI, but despite these efforts, for many of us in the Black community it’s hard to shake the lifelong experience of “being different.” 



That, in turn, has altered our perceptions of how to be our “authentic selves” in the workplace. Lameisha Dubose, a Senior Sarbanes-Oxley Act Compliance Analyst, said it’s important to have a community and support in the workplace where you feel comfortable to be your “true self.” She calls this:



“Standing in my truth and finding my tribe.”



Lameisha echoed the sentiments of many others who are part of Black@23andMe. Each indicated in their own way how much they rely on their own “tribe.” That might mean simply finding support through an employee resource group; it can also mean leaning on allies, or trusted friends at work with whom they feel safe, valued, and a sense of belonging.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Purpose</h2>



What helps sustain us all is our “WHY.” Why are we here? We understand that while being a minority in these spaces can be challenging, we are also paving the way for future generations of young Black professionals to come into this space and hopefully be free, or limited in the disparities we are experiencing. But we are also professionals motivated by the innovative world of technology and the possibilities it brings.



Liz Babalola, a Senior Program Manager with 23andMe’s Research team and expert in public health and quantitative research, draws her motivation from the power of technology to transform.



“I am excited about AI driven analytics and machine learning,” said Liz.



Liz’s excitement to leverage new technology to drive change, particularly to help people live healthier lives, motivates all of us.



“For healthcare, I am excited to see all the new developments that can help those who may have been helpless before,” said April Ward, a Pharmacy Office Administrator.



At our core, we all love working in biotechnology because of what is possible &#8211; whether it’s finding new insights into disease, treating those conditions, or delivering important health information people can use to lead healthier lives.&nbsp;



The work we do is fun, especially when we get to do these things at a company that continuously strives to build a culture where every employee feels like they are just as important as the person next to them. Luckily for us, 23andMe is that company and has worked hard over the years to ensure DEI is a top priority. We are still learning (every company is), but the openness to learn and the support from the top down to make sure we are working towards “getting it right” is the most important step to yield change, and we are doing that.



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



*Elo Ratliff, MPH, is a Senior Project Manager for Genomic Health at 23andMe and Co-Lead of the Black@23andMe ERG.

A photo of five of the young women who participated in 23andMe's Being Black in Tech discussion

Latest Posts — Page 27