A new study by 23andMe found that low-income women are more than two times as likely to have self-reported that they had post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) than men of any income, and the study confirmed strong links to other mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression.



The unpublished study is among the most extensive studies ever done on PTSD and included a diverse cohort not limited to veterans or other groups that had in the past been the focus of PTSD research. It included data from about 3 million 23andMe customers who consented to participate in research, 400,000 of whom self-reported being diagnosed with or treated for PTSD. While previous studies have shown that women are more likely to be diagnosed with PTSD, this finding indicates that the difference is even more profound for low-income women, even when compared to other women of higher socioeconomic status.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-snapshot-of-the-effects-of-trauma">A Snapshot of the Effects of Trauma</h2>



Trauma is a part of life for many of us. According to a <a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/psychological-medicine/article/epidemiology-of-traumatic-event-exposure-worldwide-results-from-the-world-mental-health-survey-consortium/F06E14BA4DF09A29CCA81909C285ABE9">World Mental Health Survey</a>, 70 percent of people will experience some sort of traumatic event. However, only a tiny percentage of those who experience trauma develop the long-term intense, emotional, and physical symptoms that characterize PTSD.



In the United States, about six percent of the population will experience PTSD at some point in their lives, according to<a href="https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand/common/common_adults.asp"> data from the Veterans Administration</a>. This aligns with 23andMe’s data, which also found that about six percent of the participants in this study had self-reported a diagnosis of PTSD or reported that they’d been treated for PTSD.



Henri Garrison-Desany, a former 23andMe intern, led the work for this internal study during his time at 23andMe. Henri is now a postdoc at Harvard University’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health.



Henri noted that PTSD offers a vivid example of the interplay between environment (a traumatic event) and genetic factors that come together to impact mental health. In other words, a person may be more genetically predisposed to experience PTSD, but it’s the trauma that triggers the condition. While our study was limited in that it did not allow for follow-up, for instance, it offers an essential snapshot of individuals who report experiencing PTSD.



“Data from 23andMe shows the importance of large cohorts as well,” Henri said. “Because [PTSD] is a relatively rare diagnosis compared to depression or anxiety, having a large database helps to determine enough cases to run analyses.”



Unlike some other studies, the individuals included in our study self-reported their diagnosis or treatment for PTSD. In addition, this study does not characterize the type or timing of that trauma. However, the wide lens approach allowed our researchers to ensure our study would include individuals who may not be included in other studies. 



The work also adds essential data to 23andMe’s broader research into depression, bipolar disorder, and other mental health conditions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-is-ptsd">What is PTSD?</h2>



While commonly associated with experience in combat, post-traumatic stress disorder can develop after any trauma, such as from a sexual or physical assault. Even a violent traffic accident can lead to PTSD.&nbsp;



PTSD is a<a href="https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd#part_2239"> mental health condition </a>characterized by such things as mood changes, anxiety, or sleep disruption. Some of those with the condition experience physical symptoms such as a racing heart rate. It can last for extended periods. Those with the condition might feel as if they are re-experiencing the original trauma through nightmares, flashbacks, or physical symptoms. People with PTSD might also make an extra effort to avoid places or events, or people that might re-trigger their trauma. Those who have PTSD also have what is called “reactive symptoms.” These symptoms put them on edge or make them more easily startled, angry, or interfere with their sleep. In addition, people with PTSD also may experience cognition issues, forgetting details of their trauma or having feelings of guilt around it.  



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="512" height="425" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/PTSD-Income-Graph.png" alt="" class="wp-image-30699" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/PTSD-Income-Graph.png 512w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/PTSD-Income-Graph-300x249.png 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">23andMe data on Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome broken down by sex and income. The data is from about three million 23andMe customers who consented to participate in research. Among those 400,000 reported a PTSD diagnosis.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-depression-amp-anxiety">Depression &amp; Anxiety</h2>



23andMe’s study also found that people with PTSD often also have anxiety or depression, a link found in several other studies.&nbsp;



As part of 23andMe’s research, Henri conducted an environmental-wide association study looking at 200 other health conditions.



Anxiety and depression were most commonly associated with PTSD. Not everyone who has anxiety or depression and goes through trauma ends up with PTSD, but having either of those two conditions more than doubles the odds of being self-diagnosed with PTSD. Yet other conditions were also associated with PTSD, such as insomnia, panic attacks, a disability, and chronic pain. People with PTSD also were more likely to rate their general health lower than those without PTSD.



23andMe’s study did not look at the type or timing of the trauma that led to the PTSD diagnosis. For instance, our study didn’t separate combat veterans or sexual abuse victims. Other studies, including those that looked at combat-related trauma, have shown that the<a href="http://sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0887618516300093?via%3Dihub"> type of trauma</a> often affects the severity of PTSD symptoms. In addition, our study did not discern if those self-diagnosed with PTSD had these mental health conditions before or after suffering the trauma that led to their PTSD.



The significance of clustering other mental health conditions with PTSD is that diagnosing these conditions can sometimes be problematic, said Henri. Many of those with PTSD often have other mental health concerns. Understanding this is important for correctly diagnosing and treating those conditions.



“Future studies should look further into the potential for gene-environment interactions that may lead to PTSD diagnosis,” Henri said.



Researchers who are interested in collaborating with 23andMe can find out more <a href="https://research.23andme.com/collaborate/#research">here</a>.

23andMe Blog

23andMe Blog Team

Anxiety and Depression Associated with Higher Risk for PTSD

By&nbsp;Brianne&nbsp;Kirkpatrick,&nbsp;MS, LCGC*



Genetic counselors are in demand now more than ever, and yet many people don’t understand the vital role they play in healthcare.&nbsp;So, in honor of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nsgc.org/page/genetic-counselor-awareness-day">Genetic Counselor Awareness Day</a>&nbsp;(November 10th), we’re sharing about this valuable genetics profession and profiling our very own genetic counselors at 23andMe who make the work we do possible.&nbsp;&nbsp;



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-do-genetic-counselors-do">What do genetic counselors do?</h6>



Genetic counselors have specialized training and education in both medical genetics and counseling. Their role is to help guide and support people and their families so they better understand their options for genetic testing and how results may affect them and other family members.&nbsp;



As their professional title suggests, genetic counselors lean upon their background training in counseling skills to help people looking for support to interpret and understand their test results. In most cases, genetic counselors work in clinics or hospitals where they might specialize in areas such as prenatal care, pediatrics, oncology or cardiology.&nbsp;



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-does-23andme-have-genetic-counselors">Does 23andMe have genetic counselors?</h6>



We are proud to have four genetic counselors in various roles at 23andMe.&nbsp;While 23andMe genetic counselors do not provide individual genetic counseling services to our millions of customers, they are able to help customers at a broader level.&nbsp;



The work our genetic counselors do is diverse and supports the various&nbsp;<a href="https://www.23andme.com/about/">values that guide our company</a>.&nbsp;What this looks like day-to-day ranges from ensuring that reports customers receive are clear, accurate, and understandable to answering questions from other clinicians about 23andMe’s Personal Genome Service.&nbsp;



Our counselors have been instrumental in developing videos and written content, as well as providing training for our growing network of Lemonaid Health clinicians in supporting customers seeking out a Genetic Report Consultation. As part of the genetic report consultation, Lemonaid Health clinicians offer consultations to help their patients understand the role genes could play in their health, within the context of their health history and overall risks. Together, these services help customers and their families, as well as their clinicians, make use of their genetic health information.



Here’s a little more about each of our genetic counselors and in their own words, what it’s like to be a genetic counselor at 23andMe.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/After-the-Click-Featured-Image-1024x323.png" alt="" title="After the Click Featured Image"/></figure>



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stacey-detweiler-ms-lcgc-medical-affairs-manager-medical-device-and-clinical-genetics-nbsp">Stacey Detweiler, MS, LCGC – Medical Affairs Manager, Medical Device and Clinical Genetics&nbsp;</h6>



<figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="608" height="607" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Stacey-Square.png" alt="" class="wp-image-30666" style="width:152px;height:152px" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Stacey-Square.png 608w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Stacey-Square-150x150.png 150w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Stacey-Square-300x300.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Stacey-Square-271x271.png 271w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Stacey-Square-372x372.png 372w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Stacey-Square-574x574.png 574w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 608px) 100vw, 608px" /></figure>



Stacey joined 23andMe in 2016 as a Medical Affairs Associate, having worked beforehand as a genetic counselor and clinical research coordinator at Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and Palo Alto Medical Foundation. She’s an active member of the <a href="https://www.aboutgeneticcounselors.org/">National Society of Genetic Counselors</a>, previously serving as co-chair for their Precision Medicine Special Interest Group. As part of her role as a Medical Affairs Manager, Stacey focuses on product, clinical, and educational development. This means she helps ensure our product and marketing include consumer-friendly information that’s medically accurate.



“I love the people! In my role, I have the opportunity to interact with people from all over the company.&nbsp; Every day I’m working with people who are passionate about genetics and, just like me, they want to share that passion with others. Being part of a team focused on making genetics accessible and paving a path towards precision medicine is an honor and a joy.”&nbsp;



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-anne-greb-ms-cgc-nbsp-director-clinical-genetics-education-and-outreach">Anne Greb, MS, CGC –&nbsp;Director, Clinical Genetics, Education and Outreach</h6>



<figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="250" height="250" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Anne-Greb-250x250-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-31068" style="width:152px" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Anne-Greb-250x250-1.jpg 250w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Anne-Greb-250x250-1-150x150.jpg 150w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 250px) 100vw, 250px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Anne Greb, MS, CGC, 23andMe Lead, Medical Education</figcaption></figure>



Anne joined 23andMe in 2018 and leads our Clinical Genetics and<a href="https://medical.23andme.com/medical-team/"> Education Team</a>. She specializes in educating clinicians on how to answer questions from patients about their 23andMe test results. Anne is a board-certified genetic counselor with over 30 years of experience in genetic counseling program leadership, medical education, and patient care. Before coming to 23andMe, she directed the genetic counseling program at Sarah Lawrence College, where she increased the program’s training capacity in order to graduate more genetic counselors. She served as president of the American Board of Genetic Counseling, the agency that ensures certified genetic counselors meet high standards for clinical care.



“For the past three decades, I eagerly anticipated this new era of precision and genomic medicine. What I didn’t anticipate was the widespread enthusiasm in genetics as people want to know more about their <a href="https://www.23andme.com/dna-health-ancestry/">health, ancestry</a>, and other <a href="https://www.23andme.com/dna-ancestry/">human traits</a>. At 23andMe I develop educational resources and programs so clinicians can take advantage of this enthusiasm and answer patients’ questions about the role genetics plays in health and wellness.“



<figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="1024" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Marlena-O-1024x1024.png" alt="" class="wp-image-31069" style="width:152px" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Marlena-O-1024x1024.png 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Marlena-O-150x150.png 150w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Marlena-O-300x300.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Marlena-O-768x768.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Marlena-O-880x880.png 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Marlena-O-1180x1180.png 1180w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Marlena-O-271x271.png 271w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Marlena-O-372x372.png 372w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Marlena-O-574x574.png 574w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Marlena-O-980x980.png 980w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Marlena-O.png 1899w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-marlena-orthlieb-nbsp-mgcs-lcgc-medical-affairs-associate">Marlena Orthlieb,&nbsp;MGCS, LCGC – Medical Affairs Associate</h6>



Marlena joined 23andMe as a Medical Affairs Associate in 2022, having spent the three prior years in a perinatal genetics clinic. In her role as a perinatal genetic counselor at LabCorp Women’s Health, she provided direct patient care and provider support at a maternal-fetal medicine clinic. Marlena brings to 23andMe a passion for making genetics more understandable and accessible to everyone with a heart for advocacy around diversity, equity, and inclusion in healthcare. 



Her roles are varied at 23andMe’s, ranging from communication and research efforts to product and service development. 



“For me, the best part of working at 23andMe is the opportunity to be creative! I love that I get to use my genetic counseling expertise in ways I never have before while working towards creating a new future of precision and preventative care. Wellness is not a “one size fits all” approach, but a lot of times we have silos in health care, especially when it comes to genetics. I am thrilled that we are building unprecedented opportunities for people to access and benefit from their genome so that they can apply these insights towards living their healthiest life!”



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-amy-sturm-ms-cgc-director-of-population-health-genomics">Amy Sturm, MS, CGC – Director of Population Health Genomics</h6>



<figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="1024" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Amy-Square-1024x1024.png" alt="" class="wp-image-30664" style="width:152px" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Amy-Square-1024x1024.png 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Amy-Square-150x150.png 150w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Amy-Square-300x300.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Amy-Square-768x767.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Amy-Square-880x880.png 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Amy-Square-271x271.png 271w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Amy-Square-372x372.png 372w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Amy-Square-574x574.png 574w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Amy-Square-980x980.png 980w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Amy-Square.png 1054w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Amy also joined the 23andMe team in 2022, bringing over 20 years of experience as a genetic counselor to her new role as Director of Population Health Genomics at 23andMe. Having worked at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Ohio State University Medical Center, and Geisinger Health, her roles have ranged from taking care of patients and families as a clinical genetic counselor to heading large research initiatives to developing new programs including population genomic screening and cardiovascular genetics programs. Amy works within the Product Organization at 23andMe and interacts with many teams, including product science and research and development, with the goals of building new products and bringing to life 23andMe’s vision and commitment to integrating genetic information into care for all. 



“I’m thrilled to help build a path for individuals on their health journey. They can come to 23andMe, get their DNA insights, and learn personalized, preventive, proactive recommendations for their health and actions they and their families can take. We can provide the next steps on that journey and can also now deliver telehealth services via Lemonaid Health, now part of the 23andMe family.”&nbsp;



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-would-i-need-to-go-to-a-genetic-counselor-nbsp">Why would I need to go to a genetic counselor?&nbsp;</h6>



There are several reasons you might benefit from genetic counseling. If you’re seeking to better understand a test result, for example, or have a known genetic condition in your family. You might also meet with a genetic counselor if you are planning to start a family and are concerned about an inherited condition or are working with a fertility specialist and considering genetic testing as part of the process. 



Here are a few more reasons: If you have a family history of cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, a heart disorder, or another genetic condition, a genetic counselor may help you better understand what that specific history might mean for your own risks or for others in your family. Some people seek out genetic counseling after having a genetic test and learning that they have a genetic variant that puts them at a higher risk for a condition.&nbsp;



In all of these cases, genetic counselors can help you explore what the next steps might be for you and your family.&nbsp;



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-can-i-find-a-genetic-counselor-to-work-with">Where can I find a genetic counselor to work with?</h6>



There are several resources out there for you if you might be considering or interested in working with a genetic counselor. Our recent post on&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.23andme.com/health-traits/report-for-healthcare-provider/">sharing your 23andMe report with your healthcare provider</a>&nbsp;helps 23andMe customers get started on the path.&nbsp;Customers may also work with a healthcare provider from Lemonaid Health,&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.23andme.com/lemonaid-health/genetic-report-consults/">which is now part of the 23andMe family</a>.&nbsp;This is a group of clinicians who work with our genetic counselors and have been trained to answer questions about a growing number of 23andMe reports.&nbsp;&nbsp;



Another option is to search the website of the&nbsp;<a href="http://aboutgeneticcounselors.com/">National Society of Genetic Counselors</a>. The site is loaded with helpful information and offers a useful start in exploring whether using a genetic counselor is right for you among the many resources in the NSGC’s Find&nbsp;<a href="https://www.findageneticcounselor.com/">A Genetic Counselor</a>&nbsp;tool. You can use the tool to search a database of thousands of genetic counselors who work in the U.S. and Canada by name, location, or even by area of specialty.&nbsp;



Beyond that great resource, you can also either seek help from your doctor or other healthcare providers. They may be able to provide you with a recommendation for a genetic counselor. Finally, there is also great information at the&nbsp;<a href="https://customer.abgc.net/abgc/ABGCwcm/Find_Counselor/ABGCwcm/Contact_Management/FindCounselor.aspx?hkey=94273207-1a6e-4c6d-ac24-0c6b3793c8cd">American Board of Genetic Counseling</a>.



Genetic counselors, learn about&nbsp;<a href="https://www.23andme.com/careers/jobs/6399846002/">current opportunities to join the team at 23andMe</a>.



*Brianne Kirkpatrick is a consultant for 23andMe.

Genetic Counselors and Their Roles at 23andMe

<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-driven-by-a-fascination-with-his-pet-fish-named-calvin-high-school-student-indeever-madireddy-became-the-first-person-to-sequence-the-genome-of-a-freshwater-angelfish">Driven by a fascination with his pet fish named Calvin, high school student Indeever Madireddy became the first person to sequence the genome of a freshwater angelfish.</h6>



<figure class="wp-block-image alignwide size-full"><img decoding="async" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/20220731_173349-1-scaled-e1667861703712.jpg" alt="Indeever head shot" class="wp-image-30672"/></figure>



Several weeks ago, Rich Abdell, Ph.D., a bioinformatician at the University of Pennsylvania, sent out a<a href="https://twitter.com/richabdill/status/1582483998554525697?s=20&amp;t=KEw3XM8667HYr8gXrLuo7g">&nbsp;</a><a href="https://twitter.com/richabdill/status/1582483998554525697?s=20&amp;t=KEw3XM8667HYr8gXrLuo7g" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tweet&nbsp;</a>to his 2,100 followers: “From what I can tell, the first freshwater angelfish genome was just&nbsp;<a href="https://www.micropublication.org/journals/biology/micropub-biology-000654" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">published by a high schooler</a>&nbsp;using a MinION to sequence&nbsp;the DNA of his dead pet.”



Within a day, the post had amassed thousands of likes and over 500 retweets, as scientists from all over the country chimed in to express their support.



“I literally love everything about this, full stop,” replied an assistant professor. “What an incredible example of what can be achieved with early access to molecular biology resources,” a neuroscientist also tweeted in response.



As the tweet continued circulating online, a friend alerted 17-year-old Indeever that he was going viral.



“My first thought,” Indeever said, “was, ‘oh gosh, what did I do?’”



Indeever is a senior at BASIS Independent Silicon Valley in San Jose, California. He’s an avid fishkeeper, which he layers on top of his other interests: riding his bike, conducting research projects, competing in science competitions, and helping with his two younger brothers, who, he quipped, are “quite a lot of work.”



We recently spoke with him about his approach to work, how crowdfunding and community labs can help democratize science, and why young researchers “just need to get started.” The conversation has been condensed and edited for clarity.&nbsp;



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-did-you-get-interested-in-genetics">How did you get interested in genetics?</h6>



It was kind of spontaneous. I’ve always really been into fishkeeping and raising fish. I had a pair of angelfish that would always lay eggs, but they’d never hatch. So, I decided that the next time my angelfish laid eggs, I would raise the baby fish to ensure they would survive, which is exactly what I did in August 2020. I used a pipette, moved the eggs to a new aquarium, and raised the fish until they were fully grown.



Unfortunately, one of the angelfish that I raised died in March 2022.



<figure class="wp-block-image alignwide size-large"><img decoding="async" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/6-1-1-scaled-e1667861806388-1024x722.jpg" alt="Indeever lab" class="wp-image-30670"/></figure>



I do my research at&nbsp;<a href="https://biocurious.org/">BioCurious</a>&nbsp;which is a local biohacker space for DIY biologists. There I always saw many biologists doing sequencing work. This made me curious about what sequencing had been done with fish. Weeks before my fish died I learned that no one had sequenced the genome of a freshwater angelfish. At the time, no reference genome was available through the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/">NCBI</a>&nbsp;(National Center for Biotechnology Information).



So when my pet fish died, I decided to sequence its genome. And that’s where this all took off.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-before-we-continue-what-was-your-fish-s-name">Before we continue, what was your fish’s name?</h6>



&nbsp;His name was Calvin.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-talk-us-through-your-sequencing-work-and-your-research-process">Talk us through your sequencing work and your research process.</h6>



When Calvin died, I rushed him to the BioCurious lab so I could freeze him in the -80°C freezer to keep his DNA stable.



Then I needed to figure out how to sequence. I spent the next month doing background research and learning genomics from scratch.



(Editor’s note:&nbsp;Reader in case you forgot, Indeever is a high school senior.)



I’ve had prior research experience in molecular biology and I’m familiar with the lab equipment available in my local lab. I came across nanopore technology and its long-read sequencing ability. This technology would allow me to&nbsp;de novoassemble the genome. So, I purchased a new nanopore sequencer and flow cell.



I used a New England Biolabs Genomic DNA extraction kit to extract DNA from Calvin’s muscle tissue. I did have to do some trial and error and experiment with the standard protocol to figure out what would give me the best DNA yield.



After I extracted the DNA, I had to prepare the genomic library and the DNA so that the nanopore device could properly sequence it.&nbsp;



I worked for two weekends in the lab to obtain the raw sequencing data.&nbsp;The bioinformatics work that came after that took a lot more time—around two months.



And then, I had to screen the genome to ensure there weren&#8217;t any contaminants.&nbsp;&nbsp;



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-did-you-learn-or-find-anything-else-during-your-sequencing-work">Did you learn or find anything else during your sequencing work?&nbsp;</h6>



Interestingly, there was a bacterial contaminant in my sequencing reads.



<h6 class="has-text-align-left wp-block-heading" id="h-could-that-have-been-the-cause-of-calvin-s-death">Could that have been the cause of Calvin’s death?</h6>



It could have been. I was hesitant to say that in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.micropublication.org/journals/biology/micropub-biology-000654">paper</a>. Bacteria is a common fish pathogen that&#8217;s just naturally present in aquariums and on fish. At the same time, it&#8217;s an opportunistic pathogen, and if a fish is already ill or injured, the bacteria will exacerbate the problem and kill it.



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So, unfortunately, I couldn&#8217;t say for sure. I wish I could, but I just pointed it out in my paper and left it at that. It would have been interesting to see if that was true.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-in-addition-to-performing-your-work-at-a-community-lab-you-also-relied-on-crowdfunding-can-you-tell-us-more-about-that">In addition to performing your work at a community lab, you also relied on crowdfunding. Can you tell us more about that?</h6>



I used a lot of my own funds for this research, but I also fundraised on<a href="https://experiment.com/">&nbsp;experiment.com</a>&nbsp;so that I could buy another flow cell for the nanopore sequencer to increase my sequencing yield.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-did-it-feel-like-to-open-twitter-and-discover-your-project-had-generated-a-lot-of-interest">What did it feel like to open Twitter and discover your project had generated a lot of interest?</h6>



It was crazy! I wasn’t on Twitter. In fact, the only time I tweeted was for the fundraising I was doing for this project.



A friend of mine reached out and said, &#8216;hey, do you know you&#8217;re going viral on Twitter?&#8217; And I thought, ‘oh gosh, what&#8217;s going on? What did I do?&#8217; And then it turns out it was the angelfish work!



It’s been a great experience. I’ve met so many new scientists and researchers; it’s surreal.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-do-you-think-it-resonated-with-people">Why do you think it resonated with people?</h6>



I’ve noticed that there&#8217;s a big movement in the scientific community toward democratizing science and making it accessible to all. And I think this project exemplified that.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-when-you-re-not-in-the-lab-sequencing-genomes-what-do-you-like-to-do-for-fun">When you’re not in the lab sequencing genomes, what do you like to do for fun?</h6>



I raise a lot of fish. I have over 100 fish—koi, angelfish, goldfish…I even have a bichir, which is a kind of an eel, but way cooler.



Outside of fishkeeping, I do a lot of other research work. One of my previous projects was about CRISPR and how we could use the CRISPR-Cas9 enzyme as a tool to augment the human immune system and similarly protect against viral infections. I competed in various science competitions with that research.



I also have two younger brothers, who are quite a lot of work! And I enjoy riding my bike. I really like electric bikes, actually, so that&#8217;s what I do in my free time.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-any-future-research-projects-on-the-horizon">Any future research projects on the horizon?</h6>



Right now, I&#8217;m applying to colleges, and that’s taking up most of my time. I’m interested in sequencing the transcriptome of the angelfish, so I think that&#8217;s next.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-advice-do-you-have-for-young-researchers">What advice do you have for young researchers?</h6>



There is so much I want to say, but for starters, don’t be intimidated by the research world. It might be easy to see my research and wonder how I did it, but this was not my first research project. Throughout high school, I conducted independent research work.&nbsp;



Anyone can do research; you just have to get started. Find what you&#8217;re interested in and pursue it. Don’t be afraid of what other people think or even what the results will be.&nbsp;



Also, setbacks are expected. A setback simply means that you have reached a point where you are pushing the boundaries of science.&nbsp;It is a good sign and that must not deter you. You should definitely try to anticipate issues and find multiple pathways to work through or around them.&nbsp;



Finally, learn from the reviews, wisdom, and experiences of others while believing in and improving your own judgment and abilities. No one can learn everything by themselves, and it’s often other people who have interesting insights.&nbsp;



The nice thing about open science and the internet and computers and all that is that you can do research&nbsp;anywhere. From a lab, from home…anywhere!

The High Schooler who Sequenced the Angelfish

For the past several months, we’ve been working on a redesign of this blog. Today we’re excited to introduce you to our new and improved look.



We aimed to give the site a streamlined, cohesive feel – with improved navigation, larger images, and a pared down, mobile-friendly user experience.



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<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-features">New Features</h6>



The revamped homepage allows us to showcase the blog’s most newsworthy and popular posts. And a new search function and navigation bar helps our readers quickly find the information and topics they’re looking for.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-exploring-the-world-of-genetics">Exploring the world of Genetics</h6>



We created the blog in 2007 to inspire engagement and conversation. Since then, we’ve shared thousands of stories – from <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/health-traits/after-the-click-drug-reaction/">customer accounts</a> to <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/therapeutics/drug-discovery-explained/">expert perspectives</a> to <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/23andme-research/we-got-the-beat/">research updates</a>.&nbsp;



We hope this new design will provide a simplified jumping off point for you to explore our content and the exciting, complex world of genetics.&nbsp;

Welcome to the New 23andMe Blog

With many other pressing priorities this year, Congress hit the snooze button on the<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/623"> Sunshine Protection Act</a>, legislation to make daylight saving permanent. Come Sunday, November 6th most everyone in the US will again move their clocks back an hour.



But that pause doesn’t mean we’ll be pulling the sheets over the debate any time soon.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/iStock-640228980-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-25757" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/iStock-640228980-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/iStock-640228980-300x200.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/iStock-640228980-768x513.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/iStock-640228980-880x587.jpg 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/iStock-640228980-1180x788.jpg 1180w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/iStock-640228980.jpg 1254w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-making-daylight-saving-time-permanent">Making Daylight Saving Time Permanent</h6>



There are strong feelings about the biannual ritual that disrupts sleep cycles across the country. Almost three-quarters of those<a href="https://apnorc.org/projects/daylight-saving-time-vs-standard-time/"> polled recently</a> said they didn’t support changing their clocks twice a year. But they were split on whether to keep standard time or make daylight saving time permanent.



A survey of more than 40,000 23andMe customers who consented to participate in research found that about 65 percent supported making daylight saving permanent, meaning they want to make daylight saving time permanent and not have to go through the ritual of moving the clock back an hour in the fall and forward and hour in the spring.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="550" height="527" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/daylight.jpg" alt="A graph showing those who support, oppose or have no opinion on making daylight saving time permanent." class="wp-image-30643" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/daylight.jpg 550w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/daylight-300x287.jpg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 550px) 100vw, 550px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Most of the 40,000 23andMe customers who consented to participate in research and answered this survey question, support making daylight saving permanent. </figcaption></figure>



For those not well-versed in the terminology, “daylight saving time” is the period in spring and summer when we’ve pushed the clocks ahead an hour of “standard time” to take advantage of the longer hours of sunlight.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-morning-person-versus-night-owl">Morning Person versus Night Owl</h6>



Researchers here at 23andMe were curious about what the genetic data might say about where people stand on this issue. After all, we know that genetics plays a role in whether a person is more likely to be a “night owl” or a <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/23andme-research/morning-person/">“morning person.”</a> Scientists have long known that genetics influences human <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/23andme-research/nobel-worthy-sleep-science/">circadian rhythms </a>and we’ve found hundreds of genetic variants that influence whether a person is more likely to get up early versus go to bed late.



But do those genetic differences play any role in what side of the debate you are on? Does it influence whether you’re more likely to want to make standard time permanent or embrace daylight saving time?



Our researchers speculated that perhaps if you were genetically more likely to be a morning person, then you’d be more likely to support making daylight saving time permanent, meaning that it stays light later. They thought people genetically predisposed to be night owls, in turn, would embrace making standard time permanent.



But that’s not exactly what they found.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-genetics-does-not-play-a-role">Genetics Does Not Play a role</h6>



Our researchers didn’t find any genetic patterns that predicted whether someone supported making daylight saving permanent or not. We did find a small association among those who said they were a “morning person” being between 15-20 percent more likely to oppose making standard time permanent. However, there was no association with the genetic tendency to be a morning person. (23andMe uses a polygenic model that relies on more than 400 genetic variants associated with wake times to estimate someone’s likelihood of being a morning person.)



While genetics didn’t appear to influence where someone stood on the issue, other factors surprisingly did, and many were tied to the seasons.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hot-and-cold-on-time-change">Hot and Cold on Time Change</h6>



The biggest predictor of whether someone supported making daylight saving time permanent was whether they liked very hot weather and disliked cold weather. About 86 percent of those who liked hot weather over cold supported making daylight saving time permanent. That’s 17 percent higher support for daylight saving time when compared to people who said they liked cold over hot weather.



In addition to temperature preference, people with seasonal affective disorder — a condition associated with depression during winter triggered by less sunlight —were more likely to support permanent daylight savings time. About 81 percent of those with seasonal affective disorder supported making daylight saving permanent, about 8 percentage points higher than all those surveyed.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-age-and-education">Age and Education</h6>



Beyond the temperature and daylight, age and education level also appears to play a big role in opinions about daylight saving time. Older people and those with higher degrees were more likely to want to keep things as they are and less likely to support making daylight saving permanent, for instance. People in their 40s were most likely to support making daylight saving permanent.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="550" height="452" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/daylight-3.jpg" alt="A chart showing support of making daylight saving time permanent based on age. People in their 40s were most supportive." class="wp-image-30641" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/daylight-3.jpg 550w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/daylight-3-300x247.jpg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 550px) 100vw, 550px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">People in their 40s were most likely to support making daylight saving time permanent. </figcaption></figure>



Beyond age and education level, we wondered if having a job or an early work schedule or other social behavior might also play a role. Employment didn’t seem to impact opinions, but perhaps unsurprisingly, having to get up early sure did. Those who had to get up early for work were less likely to support making daylight saving permanent.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="550" height="452" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/daylight-2.jpg" alt="A graph showing breaking down support for making daylight saving time permanent based on wake up time. People who wake-up between 9 am and 10 am had the most support." class="wp-image-30642" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/daylight-2.jpg 550w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/daylight-2-300x247.jpg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 550px) 100vw, 550px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">People who wake up between 9 am and 10 were the strongest supporters of making daylight saving time permanent. </figcaption></figure>



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



We also found that people who were more apt to socialize were also more likely to support making daylight saving time permanent. We measured that in part by how they answered the question of how often there were “people around with whom to have fun.” And we found that 78 percent of those who answered that they usually or always had people around with whom they had fun support making daylight saving permanent.&nbsp;&nbsp;



While genetic associations often turn up for unexpected traits, perhaps it shouldn&#8217;t be surprising that attitudes about daylight saving time aren&#8217;t one of them. Our exploration of attitudes toward daylight saving time offers an example of the power of 23andMe’s unique research platform. It’s a platform that allows our scientists to more easily and quickly explore lighter behavioral traits like this, as well as others that are much more grounded in biology.



23andMe Ancestry and Trait service customers can see what their genetics says about being a morning person or a night owl in their <a href="https://you.23andme.com/reports/trait.wakeup_time/">Wake Up Time report.</a>



Not yet a customer? Find out more about 23andMe services <a href="https://www.23andme.com/compare-dna-tests/">here</a>.

Turning Back the Clock on Daylight Saving Time

When Jane Beery learned that she carried a BRCA1 mutation, she was shocked but not surprised.



Jane, who is now 66, had been going in for mammograms and screenings since her early 30s. Her mother died from breast cancer and she has Ashkenazi Jewish heritage.



“I’ve lived with this whole breast cancer cloud hanging over me for my whole life,” she explained.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="709" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/84799b76-525c-46da-9262-588bc225f940-e1666905935708-1024x709.jpg" alt="Jane Beery" class="wp-image-30649" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/84799b76-525c-46da-9262-588bc225f940-e1666905935708-1024x709.jpg 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/84799b76-525c-46da-9262-588bc225f940-e1666905935708-300x208.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/84799b76-525c-46da-9262-588bc225f940-e1666905935708-768x532.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/84799b76-525c-46da-9262-588bc225f940-e1666905935708-880x609.jpg 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/84799b76-525c-46da-9262-588bc225f940-e1666905935708-1180x817.jpg 1180w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/84799b76-525c-46da-9262-588bc225f940-e1666905935708.jpg 1512w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



So in 2018, when the 23andMe BRCA1/BRCA2 (Selected Variants) Genetic Health Risk report* became available, she opted to receive the information.



“I remember hesitating before opening the report,” she said. “I thought about it for a while, and I thought about my life, and I went ahead.”



The report indicated that she had the BRCA1 variant – one of the three variants for which 23andMe tests.



After digesting her report, she told her nurse practitioner – who advised her to make an appointment for confirmatory testing with a genetic counselor – and her two daughters. “They were young adults, and I decided they needed the information.”



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-meet-the-brca-genes">Meet the BRCA Genes</h6>



<a href="https://www.23andme.com/brca/">BRCA genes</a> themselves do not cause cancer. Instead, they normally act as tumor suppressors – helping to prevent cancer by repairing and protecting DNA. But BRCA variants cripple this DNA repair process, which can spur tumor growth and increase the risk of developing certain cancers, including breast, ovarian, and prostate cancer.



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">Sticking your head in the sand isn’t a good strategy, especially when there is so much that can be done</blockquote>



People with Ashkenazi Jewish heritage are particularly likely to carry these variants. Whereas one in 400 people in the general population carries a BRCA variant, about<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/young_women/bringyourbrave/hereditary_breast_cancer/jewish_women_brca.htm"> one in 40</a> people of Ashkenazi descent has one of the three variants included in 23andMe’s report.



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



More than 6,000 23andMe customers with a variant – including Jane –&nbsp; have viewed their&nbsp; BRCA1/BRCA2 (Selected Variants) Genetic Health Risk report.&nbsp;



But recent research estimates that less than 20 percent of people with a BRCA variant know they have one.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading">Taking Action</h6>



For Jane, knowing her BRCA status has allowed her to take proactive steps to protect her and her daughter’s health. Since the discovery, she elected to have preventative surgery to remove her ovaries as well as a double mastectomy – significantly reducing her chance of developing breast cancer and nearly eliminating her risk for ovarian cancer.&nbsp;



And this knowledge became even more critical when one of her daughters found a lump in her breast at the age of 32 and was eventually diagnosed with breast cancer.



“[The hospital] had me scan and email my 23andMe reports to the geneticists while they waited for my daughter’s genetic test results to come back,” Jane recalled. “It was helpful in the time before they got her testing back, and they were able to confirm [her BRCA status].



Today, Jane is dedicated to sharing her BRCA story in the hopes that it can help others.



 “Power comes from knowledge,” she reflected. “Sticking your head in the sand isn’t a good strategy, especially when there is so much that can be done.”



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



*23andMe health predisposition reports include both reports that meet FDA requirements for genetic health risks and reports which are based on 23andMe research and have not been reviewed by the FDA. The test uses qualitative genotyping to detect select clinically relevant variants in the genomic DNA of adults from saliva for the purpose of reporting and interpreting genetic health risks. It is not intended to diagnose any disease. Your ethnicity may affect the relevance of each report and how your genetic health risk results are interpreted. Each genetic health risk report describes if a person has variants associated with a higher risk of developing a disease, but does not describe a person’s overall risk of developing the disease. The test is not intended to tell you anything about your current state of health, or to be used to make medical decisions, including whether or not you should take a medication, how much of a medication you should take, or determine any treatment. For certain conditions, we provide a single report that includes information on both carrier status and genetic health risk. Warnings &amp; Limitations: The 23andMe PGS Genetic Health Risk Report for BRCA1/BRCA2 (Selected Variants) is indicated for reporting of the 185delAG and 5382insC variants in the BRCA1 gene and the 6174delT variant in the BRCA2 gene. The report describes if a woman is at increased risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer, and if a man is at increased risk of developing breast cancer or may be at increased risk of developing prostate cancer. The three variants included in this report are most common in people of Ashkenazi Jewish descent and do not represent the majority of BRCA1/BRCA2 variants in the general population. This report does not include variants in other genes linked to hereditary cancers and the absence of variants included in this report does not rule out the presence of other genetic variants that may impact cancer risk. The PGS test is not a substitute for visits to a healthcare professional for recommended screenings or appropriate follow-up. Results should be confirmed in a clinical setting before taking any medical action. For important information and limitations regarding each genetic health risk report, visit<a href="https://www.23andme.com/test-info/"> 23andme.com/test-info/</a>.

Discovering a BRCA Gene in the Family

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has <a href="https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2022/10/27/2542610/0/en/23andMe-Granted-New-FDA-Clearance-to-Provide-Interpretive-Drug-Information-for-a-Commonly-Prescribed-Cholesterol-Medication.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">granted 23andMe </a>510(k) clearance for its pharmacogenetics report for the <a href="https://www.23andme.com/topics/pharmacogenetics/slco1b1/">SLCO1B1 genetic variant</a> to provide interpretive drug information for simvastatin.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-among-the-most-commonly-prescribed-medication">Among the Most Commonly Prescribed Medication</h2>



Simvastatin is a medication in the statin family of drugs commonly prescribed to lower cholesterol to help reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. In 2020, simvastatin was the second-most widely prescribed statin and the thirteenth-most<a href="https://clincalc.com/DrugStats/"> commonly prescribed</a> medication in the U.S.



A particular gene variation, SLCO1B1, influences the body’s response to simvastatin. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ethnicity-matters">Ethnicity Matters</h2>



In<a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4889090/"> certain ethnicities</a>, up to 38 percent of people have a SLCO1B1 genotype that increases the possibility of experiencing side effects related to taking simvastatin, particularly statin-associated musculoskeletal symptoms risk.



In addition to providing interpretive drug information, the new FDA clearance also removes the requirement for confirmatory testing.&nbsp;



“This is an important win for consumers, as they will have access to critical information on how they may respond to a commonly prescribed medication based on their genetics,” said Noura Abul-Husn, M.D. Ph.D., Vice President of Genomic Health at 23andMe.



“A complete health picture requires a number of inputs, including genetics, which is too often overlooked in healthcare. With this clearance, we are continuing to champion access to actionable health information so that everyone can benefit from a personalized healthcare experience and avoid negative side effects of medications where possible.”

Another FDA Clearance to Provide Drug Information

Most of us intuitively know what we need to do to stay healthy — eat better, exercise, get more sleep and reduce stress.



But knowing and doing are two different things.&nbsp; Many of us struggle to take the necessary actions to improve our health. Some of us just need a little nudge to get started. November is Diabetes Awareness Month, and we wanted to raise awareness about the risk but also shine a light on people who after learning of their own risk got educated and took action to lower it.&nbsp;



For Tracy, the nudge came from a 23andMe report, powered by 23andMe Research,&nbsp; indicating that she had a higher likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes based on her genetics. It wasn’t that the result was a surprise — the condition runs in her family. It was simply seeing the report, spending the time to read it, and knowing that it confirmed what she already knew: She needed to take better care of herself.



”Seeing it there, in your face&nbsp; … I actually have to do something about that,” Tracy said.



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



Part of the promise of 23andMe is it offers people the information they and their healthcare provider can use to make better decisions about their health.



&#8220;The potential for 23andMe is really to massively change the way we are approaching our own health in terms of prevention,&#8221; said Anne Wojcicki, 23andMe’s CEO and co-founder. &#8220;I hope in 10 years we can have a society where people are proactively managing their health and getting information that helps them avoid disease.&#8221;&nbsp;



But what about right now?



According to the CDC, the number of Americans with diabetes has more than <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/quick-facts.html">doubled in the last two decades</a>. More than a third of adults in the United States are pre-diabetic. The vast majority of them, 84 percent, don&#8217;t even know they are at risk. About 34 million people in the US have diabetes.



The staggering number is a testament to how hard it is to make changes. Understanding the emotional and psychological hurdles people need to clear before taking the actions they already know they need to take to be healthy is essential.



There isn’t a perfect solution, but knowing your risk — whether from being overweight or having a higher genetic likelihood for the condition — is a first step to preventing developing type 2 diabetes. Finding the motivation to make a change is the next step.



We talked to a few 23andMe customers who used their 23andMe reports to help motivate them to make healthy changes. Here’s what they shared with us.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-change-what-you-can">Change What You Can</h6>



For Tracy, a 54-year-old mother of three adult children, this information came right as she was thinking about the next stage of her life.



Contemplating being both a mother and grandmother. She wanted to avoid some of the health issues her own mother and grandmother dealt with in their lives. The 23andMe report, coupled with some concerning blood work indicating she was pre-diabetic, was all she needed for motivation. She started eating better, exercising more, and focusing daily on her health.



<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/2022/10/image-683x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-30386" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/image-683x1024.jpg 683w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/image-768x1151.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/image-200x300.jpg 200w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/image-587x880.jpg 587w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/image-788x1180.jpg 788w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/image-scaled.jpg 1709w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Tracy</figcaption></figure>



Since making those changes she’s lost 15 pounds, and her A1C levels — a measure of blood sugar levels over time — have returned to normal. Her weight loss has not always been consistent, rising and falling over the months. Still, she’s focused on the positives. She’s kept the weight off and has plans to lose 15 more pounds. And the positive changes she’s made started with her understanding of the role genetics together with lifestyle plays in one’s chances of developing type 2 diabetes.&nbsp;



“I can’t change the DNA, but I can change what I do daily,” Tracy said.&nbsp;



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-being-prepared">Being Prepared</h6>



Much like Tracy, Erick, a professional Jiu-Jitsu athlete, used his 23andMe report as motivation to keep focused on his health.



Erick, who served five tours in Afghanistan and is now in the Army reserves, is all about staying focused and prepared for what is to come. He said the health information within 23andMe’s report gives him the information he can use to be healthier and more prepared for the future.



“I want to know as much about my body as I possibly can so that I have the best advantage to train and compete,” Erick said.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="728" height="1024" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Erick-728x1024.png" alt="" class="wp-image-30588" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Erick-728x1024.png 728w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Erick-213x300.png 213w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Erick-626x880.png 626w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Erick.png 758w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 728px) 100vw, 728px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Erick</figcaption></figure>



He’s already in great shape, but he wants to do everything he can to stay healthy for his baby girl and&nbsp; two young sons. Seeing that he had a higher genetic likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes, he decided to talk to his doctor about it. One of the first things that he focused on was the type of food he eats.



“I grew up in the Midwest and was a real meat and potatoes guy!” he said.



That changed after seeing the report and a discussion with his doctor. It motivated him to reduce his consumption of red meat, replacing it with more fish and chicken. He and his coaches tweaked his training, and those simple changes helped him lose some excess weight.



He feels better and is as prepared as ever.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-taking-control">Taking Control</h6>



Unlike Erick, Kat (who uses the pronouns they/them) felt their weight issues were a given. Obesity runs in their family and they had sort of accepted it as their destiny.&nbsp;



But 23andMe’s report changed Kat’s point of view. Kat had an increased genetic likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes. But reading it made Kat realize that actually, their DNA wasn’t their destiny.



“With 23andMe, it made me feel like maybe I should care about my health and live my life like I’m going to make it after all,” Kat said.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="768" height="1024" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Kat-Photo-scaled-e1666044631750-768x1024.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-30408" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Kat-Photo-scaled-e1666044631750-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Kat-Photo-scaled-e1666044631750-225x300.jpeg 225w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Kat-Photo-scaled-e1666044631750-660x880.jpeg 660w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Kat-Photo-scaled-e1666044631750-885x1180.jpeg 885w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Kat</figcaption></figure>



Kat realized that yes their genetics plays a role but so does diet and lifestyle. Kat decided to make some healthy changes, eating better, exercising more, and changing their perspective on the future. After making those changes, Kat has already lost 50 pounds. And the transformation has inspired others in Kat’s family. Kat’s mom also adopted a healthier lifestyle, losing 15 pounds thus far.&nbsp;



“What’s cool about 23andMe is (it) gives me the inspiration that a lot of diet programs don’t provide,” said Kat.&nbsp;



And that success motivated Kat’s mom to also take action.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading">Self-Coaching</h6>



When she was on campus, Lucy helped fellow students as a volunteer with the University of Wyoming’s wellness program. As a wellness ambassador, her job was to help others through education, conducting health screenings, health coaching, or simply lending an ear to listen. She never expected that she would use some of those skills for her own wellness.



An adoptee, Lucy used 23andMe to learn a little bit more about her ancestry, but it was her health reports that ended up drawing most of her attention. Learning that she had a substantially increased genetic likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes prompted Lucy to act.



“I was shocked,” she said.



It prompted her to go back and look at her most recent blood work, and she saw that she was on the cusp of being pre-diabetic.



Her 23andMe report and blood test drove her to act.



“It has really given me the motivation to start eating healthier and exercise more,” Lucy said.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="819" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Lucylucia-1024x819.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-30409" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Lucylucia-1024x819.jpg 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Lucylucia-300x240.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Lucylucia-768x614.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Lucylucia-880x704.jpg 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Lucylucia-1180x944.jpg 1180w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Lucylucia.jpg 1750w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Lucy</figcaption></figure>



With a weakness for sweets, Lucy knew she had to work at maintaining a healthy lifestyle but she got some help from those she loved. At home, Lucy’s mom made sure to stock the house with food options to support Lucy’s goals, and at school, her boyfriend, now her husband, helped her by changing his diet and working out with her at the gym. She’s already noticed a change, even in how her body responds when she strays and eats something sugary. It’s also helped her in her volunteer role, allowing her to share her own experience of making healthy choices every day. Now that she’s married and recently graduated from school, she’s carrying those lessons with her. She knows that those decisions don’t only help her but her family and the people she cares about and who care about her.



“I do not want my health problems to negatively affect the people I love the most,” she said. “I am so thankful to have learned about this earlier rather than later.”



<h6 class="wp-block-heading">Staying Around Longer</h6>



David was always curious about what he could learn about using 23andMe, but he didn’t try it until some friends gave it to him as a gift for his birthday. All the curiosity had been focused on what he might learn about his ancestry. He didn’t expect that his health reports would have much more impact on his life.



Among the things he learned about his health was that he had an increased likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes. The father of a 13-year-old, and on the cusp of getting married again, the result got his attention.



“It prompted me to make myself healthier,” he said&nbsp;



After seeing his report he talked to his doctor.



“I went to my doctors and asked what the best course of action would be,” David said.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="675" height="675" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/1xmtzc.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-30347" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/1xmtzc.jpg 675w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/1xmtzc-150x150.jpg 150w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/1xmtzc-300x300.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/1xmtzc-271x271.jpg 271w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/1xmtzc-372x372.jpg 372w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/1xmtzc-574x574.jpg 574w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 675px) 100vw, 675px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">David</figcaption></figure>



It wasn’t too complicated, his doctor told him.



“Primarily, it’s diet and exercise,” David said.



Although the advice seemed generic, for some reason it felt more personal. David could see that he not only had a higher genetic likelihood but that his lifestyle choices put him at a higher chance for type 2 diabetes.



“I know that sounds like a catchall but honestly it really is (what you need to do),” he said.&nbsp;



David started with the simple things. He cut out fast foods, processed meats, and cheese from his diet. The latter was a little hard for him.



“I love cheese,” he said.&nbsp;



But he kept at it, motivated to act not just because of his genetic likelihood and his overall health but because he saw how diabetes had ravaged his mom and his grandmother. He knows what it means to live with the condition, and that’s what kept him going.&nbsp;



“It’s a journey,” he says.&nbsp;



A surgery set him back but he’s recently started to get into the gym again, and he’s running training for a 5K, as well as some obstacle races that some of his friends are doing.



“I’m ready to catch up with them,” David said.



But it’s not just about doing stuff with his friends. He thinks about his son.



“ I want to be the role model he needs,” David said. “I don’t want to lead by a bad example of what not to be. I need to be around for a long time.”



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



*Important Note: The 23andMe Type 2 Diabetes report is based on 23andMe research and incorporates more than 1,000 genetic variants to provide information on the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes.&nbsp; The report does not account for lifestyle or family history and has not been reviewed by the US Food and Drug Administration. Click <a href="http://www.23andme.com/topics/health-predispositions/type-2-diabetes">here</a> for additional important information.

Healthier Every Day 

A team of researchers led by scientists from the University of Edinburgh completed the largest genetic study to date looking at dyslexia and linking the condition to genes associated with neurodevelopment.



Dyslexia is estimated to affect between 5 to 17 percent of the population. It impacts a person’s reading ability and often runs in families.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Books-1-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-26405" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Books-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Books-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Books-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Books-1-880x587.jpg 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Books-1-1180x787.jpg 1180w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-links-to-neurodevelopment">Links to neurodevelopment</h6>



The new study, published in <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41588-022-01192-y">Nature Genetics</a>, offers more insight into the biological mechanisms behind dyslexia. The study found genetic links between the condition and genes associated with neurodevelopment,. Researchers also identified a genetic link between dyslexia and ambidexterity.&nbsp;&nbsp;



But the study did not confirm some previous research suggesting a genetic link between dyslexia and changes in brain structure.



“Previous work suggested some brain structures may be altered in people with dyslexia, but we did not find evidence that genes explain this,“ said Michelle Luciano, Ph.D., the lead author and a researcher at the University of Edinburgh’s School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reading-and-spelling">Reading and spelling</h6>



Because dyslexia is so closely genetically related to performance on reading and spelling tests, Dr. Luciano called out the need for better-standardized testing as a way to identify individuals with the condition early to help them with reading and writing.



Scientists from the<a href="https://www.genlang.org/"> Genetic Language Consortium</a> and from 23andMe contributed to the study. The work relied on data from more than a million 23andMe customers who consented to participate in research. Among those consenting to participate in research were about 51,000 people who reported that they had dyslexia.



In all, researchers identified 42 genetic variants. The strongest of those were genetic variants that were also linked to cognitive ability and educational attainment. Educational attainments is a measure of the number of years in school. The genetic variants associated with dyslexia were also associated with language delay, thinking skills, and academic achievement. The results highlighted how dyslexia and its impact on reading and writing affect some of the essential processes for learning.&nbsp;



You can see the full study in<a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41588-022-01192-y"> Nature Genetics</a>.



The researchers also assembled a list of answers to questions on the study, its purpose, and how the genetic study was conducted<a href="https://www.genlang.org/GWAS_dyslexia_FAQ.html"> here</a>.

Latest Posts — Page 31