<p>In July, 23andMe launched a large-scale study of <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright wp-image-28381 size-medium" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/IPF-300x246.png" alt="Illustration for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis" width="300" height="246" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/IPF-300x246.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/IPF.png 643w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></p>
<p>23andMe currently has more than 4,000 people with IPF participating in research, making this one of the largest genetic studies of the condition to date. Currently, there is no cure for IPF. Our researchers are already generating novel insights into this uncommon but debilitating condition, including a possible link to increased risk for COVID-19. <a id="f1" href="#a1"><sup>[1]</sup></a></p>
<p></p>
<h2><i>A Rare Condition</i></h2>
<p>Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a rare condition [2] that affects approximately 100,000 people in the United States, or less than .05 percent of the population. Such a low prevalence of IPF makes it challenging to find enough people with the condition to participate in research, making studying the disease to understand its causes and prognosis difficult.</p>
<h2><i>IPF Risk Factors</i></h2>
<p>The risk of IPF is thought to be partly influenced by genetics. For example, a variant in the promoter of the <i>MUC5B</i> gene may predispose its carriers to chronic inflammation — and eventually to IPF — by reducing the clearance of harmful substances such as cigarette smoke.<sup>[3]</sup></p>
<p>However, known genetic variants are not likely to fully explain who develops IPF or why. Through our <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/research-communities/ipf/">study</a>,<sup>[4] </sup>we hope to find novel risk factors for manifesting IPF symptoms within and beyond the genome. Previous studies suggested that environmental factors, including infections with certain viruses (e.g., the Epstein-Barr virus causing mononucleosis),[5] smoking, or occupational exposures [6] may also contribute to IPF risk. Other studies have linked IPF to acid reflux disease, postulating that stomach acid may get aspirated into the lungs and cause characteristic scarring.</p>
<h6><i>IPF and COVID-19 Risk</i></h6>
<p>There is strong evidence that suggests individuals with lung conditions such as IPF are at higher risk for COVID-19 and its complications.<sup>[7]</sup> Additionally, IPF and severe COVID-19 share a set of risk factors. For example, men are at higher risk for both COVID-19 and IPF, so too are older adults. Certain underlying conditions, such as those affecting the cardiovascular system, also put one at higher risk for IPF and COVID-19.</p>
<p>Because IPF is a rare condition, we did not have enough data to investigate the connection between IPF and COVID-19 in depth. We did, however, inquire whether individuals diagnosed with IPF are more likely to report taking protective measures such as physical distancing during the current pandemic.</p>
<p>Early in the pandemic, we asked 23andMe research <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/23andme-research/social-distancing-and-covid-19/">participants</a> whether they practiced social distancing or avoiding crowds.  We found a strong correlation, suggesting individuals with an IPF diagnosis were more likely to avoid public gatherings (OR= 1.87, P-value=1.74e-5). The correlation held when adjusted for age, sex, essential worker status, education, urban vs. rural residence, and measurement timing. Associations with the two other measures of physical distancing — keeping distance from others and avoiding public places — were not statistically significant.</p>
<h2><i>IPF Insights </i></h2>
<p>In addition to COVID-19 insights, our data from more than 4,000 participants in the 23andMe database helps to corroborate some of the earlier observations and offer new insights.</p>
<p>For example, we observed a strong correlation between having IPF and gastrointestinal reflux (odds ratio (OR)=2.89, P-value=1.82e-184). We also saw a weaker correlation between IPF and a history of mononucleosis (OR=1.45, P-value=0.0002). Individuals with IPF were also more likely to report more smoking throughout their lifetime (OR=1.26, P-value=1.33e-6). All of our estimates were adjusted for age, sex, and ancestry.</p>
<p>Although the causes of IPF are not well understood, the data clearly show the impact the condition has on patients’ lives. Among those participating in the 23andMe IPF study and in the 23andMe database, having IPF is strongly associated with depression, anxiety, and decreased quality of life (depression, OR=3.34, P-value=1.01e-29, and anxiety, OR=1.21, P-value=9.02e-81).</p>
<p>Our participants reported sleep disturbances (OR=2.24, P-value=1.13e-26), shortness of breath (OR=6.09, P-value=5.68e-115), and migraines (OR=3.57, P-value=1.93e-8). We also saw strong associations between IPF and allergy symptoms, which is consistent with previous reports. However, our data do not allow us to disentangle the cause-and-effect relationship between the two. The top associations with IPF in our database are summarized in Figure 1.</p>
<div id="attachment_28664" style="width: 310px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-28664" class="wp-image-28664 size-medium" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Figure-1-Figure-1-Environment-wide-association-study-of-IPF-300x243.png" alt="A graphic showing the top environmental wide associations with IPF" width="300" height="243" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Figure-1-Figure-1-Environment-wide-association-study-of-IPF-300x243.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Figure-1-Figure-1-Environment-wide-association-study-of-IPF.png 512w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /><p id="caption-attachment-28664" class="wp-caption-text"><em><b>Figure 1:</b> Environment-wide association study of IPF in the 23andMe customer population. Top IPF-associated factors are listed on the left, with the number of customers who provided information on each factor in parentheses. The estimates of association are presented with error bars on the right side.</em></p></div>
<footer class="footnotes"></footer>
<p>Additionally, we looked at gastrointestinal distress symptoms that commonly accompany medications taken by IPF patients, i.e. pirfenidone, nintedanib, and N-acetylcysteine. We observed a significant association between IPF diagnosis and irritable bowel symptoms, adjusted for age, sex, and race/ethnicity (OR=1.90, P-value&lt;1.00e-16). Upon additional adjustment for medication use, the association lost its statistical significance (OR= 1.50-1.53 depending on medication, P-values&gt;0.05), suggesting that the observed correlation between IPF and gastrointestinal symptoms was strongly mediated by medication use.</p>
<h2><i>IPF Demographics in the 23andMe Database</i></h2>
<p>From a demographic standpoint, our study population is consistent with the current understanding of IPF epidemiology. The prevalence of IPF strongly increases with age (Figure 2), and there is evidence that the aging process accelerates this disease&#8217;s pathogenesis. <sup>[8]</sup></p>
<p>Although past reports indicate that men are far more affected by IPF than women, in our data set, the prevalence of IPF among men only slightly exceeded that among women (7.4 cases per 10,000 men vs. 7.0 cases per 10,000 women). However, it is believed that the previously reported increase in risk among men may be attributed to historical smoking patterns rather than underlying biological differences, and is likely to diminish as smoking rates drop. The diversity of our customer cohort enabled us to also consider IPF patterns by race/ethnic group. We observed the highest prevalence (7.8 cases per 10,000 individuals) among individuals of European descent, followed by African Americans (6.7 cases per 10,000 individuals). Individuals of East Asian descent had the lowest prevalence of IPF (2.4 cases per 10,000 individuals).</p>
<div id="attachment_28666" style="width: 310px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-28666" class="wp-image-28666 size-medium" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Figure-2.-Prevalence-of-IPF-in-the-23andMe-data-set-by-age-group.-300x288.png" alt="" width="300" height="288" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Figure-2.-Prevalence-of-IPF-in-the-23andMe-data-set-by-age-group.-300x288.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Figure-2.-Prevalence-of-IPF-in-the-23andMe-data-set-by-age-group..png 512w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /><p id="caption-attachment-28666" class="wp-caption-text"><em><b>Figure 2.</b> Prevalence of IPF in the 23andMe data set by age group.</em></p></div>
<p>Our study included IPF patients from all 50 U.S. States (Figure 3). The observed geographic patterns reflected the effects of age (i.e. states with an older population, like Arizona and Florida, had a higher prevalence of IPF) as well as occupational exposures&#8211; e.g. mining in West Virginia and New Mexico.</p>
<p>With our powerful data collection and analysis platform, we are just beginning to understand IPF risk and disease history. We appreciate any new data from our customers as it helps us get closer to finding new effective treatments for this debilitating condition.</p>
<p><div id="attachment_28665" style="width: 522px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-28665" class="wp-image-28665 size-full" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Figure-3.-The-geographic-distribution-of-IPF-prevalence-among-23andMe-customers-by-state..png" alt="" width="512" height="330" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Figure-3.-The-geographic-distribution-of-IPF-prevalence-among-23andMe-customers-by-state..png 512w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Figure-3.-The-geographic-distribution-of-IPF-prevalence-among-23andMe-customers-by-state.-300x193.png 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px" /><p id="caption-attachment-28665" class="wp-caption-text"><em><b>Figure 3.</b> The geographic distribution of IPF prevalence among 23andMe customers by state.<sup>[9]</sup></em></p></div>Our efforts to recruit participants with IPF to our study and expand upon these findings are ongoing. <b>Learn more </b><a href="https://www.23andme.com/idiopathic-pulmonary-fibrosis/"><b>here</b></a><b>.</b></p>
<hr />
<h6 class="footnotes"><strong>References:</strong></h6>
<footer class="footnotes"><code style="display: none;"><br />
</code><code style="display: none;"> </code><br />
<a id="f1" href="#a1">[1]</a> P.M. George, A.U. Wells, R.G. Jenkins <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanres/article/PIIS2213-2600(20)30225-3/fulltext">&#8220;Pulmonary fibrosis and COVID-19: The potential role for antifibrotic therapy&#8221;</a> Lancet Respir Med, 8 (2020), pp. 807-815</footer>
<footer class="footnotes"><code style="display: none;"></code> <a id="f2" href="#a2">[2]</a> <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/idiopathic-pulmonary-fibrosis/#statistics">&#8220;Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis&#8221;</a> MedlinePlus, US National Library of Medicine</footer>
<footer class="footnotes"><code style="display: none;"> </code><br />
<a href="#a3">[3]</a>  Mahida R, Turner <a href="https://thorax.bmj.com/content/68/5/401">&#8220;MUC5B: a good target for future therapy in pulmonary fibrosis?&#8221;</a> BMJ:Thorax 2013;68:401.</footer>
<footer class="footnotes"><code style="display: none;"> </code><br />
<a id="f4" href="#a4">[4]</a> <a href="https://www.blf.org.uk/support-for-you/idiopathic-pulmonary-fibrosis-ipf/causes">&#8220;Causes of IPF&#8221;</a> British Lung Foundation  </footer>
<footer class="footnotes"><code style="display: none;"> </code><br />
<a href="#a5">[5]</a> Ibid.</footer>
<footer class="footnotes"><code style="display: none;"> </code><br />
<a id="f6" href="#a6">[6]</a> <a href="https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/idiopathic-pulmonary-fibrosis/">&#8220;Overview Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis&#8221;</a> National Health Service, UK </footer>
<footer class="footnotes"><code style="display: none;"> </code><br />
<a id="f7" href="#a7">[7]</a> P.M. George, A.U. Wells, R.G. Jenkins <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanres/article/PIIS2213-2600(20)30225-3/fulltext">&#8220;Pulmonary fibrosis and COVID-19: The potential role for antifibrotic therapy&#8221;</a> Lancet Respir Med, 8 (2020), pp. 807-815</footer>
<footer class="footnotes"><code style="display: none;"> </code><br />
<a id="f8" href="#a8">[8]</a> Ley, Brett, and Harold R Collard. <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3848422/">“Epidemiology of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.”</a> <i>Clinical epidemiology</i> vol. 5 483-92. 25 Nov. 2013, doi:10.2147/CLEP.S54815</footer>
<footer class="footnotes"><code style="display: none;"> </code><br />
<a id="f9" href="#a9">[9]</a> Mahida R, Turner <a href="https://thorax.bmj.com/content/68/5/401">&#8220;MUC5B: a good target for future therapy in pulmonary fibrosis?&#8221;</a> BMJ:Thorax 2013;68:401.</footer>
<footer class="footnotes"><code style="display: none;"> </code><br />
[/vc_row]</footer>

23andMe Blog

23andMe Blog Team

Insights from 23andMe’s Study of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

<p><b><i>By Eli Chanoff, 23andMe Research Associate</i></b></p>
<p>Parkinson’s disease (PD) has been a central focus of 23andMe’s research since our company’s early years.</p>
<p>Over more than a decade, we have grown a community of tens of thousands of individuals, with and without Parkinson’s, who are committed to making a difference through research. With this community, 23andMe researchers have contributed to more than <a href="https://www.23andme.com/publications/">20 papers</a> offering new insights into the disease. As a result, we are in a unique position to advance our understanding of this disease and, in particular, to investigate genetics&#8217; role in both Parkinson’s disease risk and progression.</p>
<h2>LRRK2 G2019S</h2>
<p>The G2019S variant in the <i>LRRK2</i> gene is associated with a significantly increased risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. 23andMe launched the Parkinson’s Impact Project (PIP) in 2018 to learn about the experience of people who carry the <i>LRRK2</i> G2019S variant. The project consists of a comprehensive baseline survey and shorter quarterly follow-up sessions completed by consented research participants who are eligible carriers with and without a diagnosis of PD. The baseline survey was also completed by a large group of consented, eligible research participants without the G2019S variant who were matched to the carriers based on age and sex. </p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-22635" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Brain-Logo-287x300.jpg" alt="" width="287" height="300" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Brain-Logo-287x300.jpg 287w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Brain-Logo.jpg 438w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 287px) 100vw, 287px" />Less than half of individuals with one copy of the variant develop Parkinson’s disease. Understanding why some carriers develop the disease while others don’t could offer key insights into novel approaches to slowing or stopping disease progression.</p>
<p>In addition, since a higher portion of the carrier population is at risk of being diagnosed with PD, it’s safe to assume that the cohort will also have an increased proportion of individuals with early-stage (prodromal) disease but who have not yet been diagnosed. Therefore, traits enriched in the carrier cohort relative to matched controls may represent early warning signs of Parkinson’s disease. However, these traits could also result from the G2019S mutation entirely unrelated to PD. Follow-up analyses are needed to distinguish between findings due to simply being an LRRK2 G2019S carrier and those due to having early-stage disease.</p>
<p>Although this is very much a work in progress, we strongly believe it is important and appropriate for us to share preliminary data with those participating in the study and the broader community. Below, we review a few of our initial results from the analysis of the baseline survey data.</p>
<h2>Our Findings</h2>
<p>Of those surveyed, 16 percent of G2019S carriers and 2.6 percent of non-carriers reported a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease. We have separated our cases and controls into those with and without the G2019S variant–regardless of Parkinson’s status–to precisely measure the association between this genetic variant and a set of Parkinson-related phenotypes.</p>
<p>Phenotypes can refer to traits, clinical symptoms, environmental exposures, and comorbidities in this context. When considering the link between any phenotype and Parkinson’s, it is important to remember that a phenotype could be caused by PD, could be a risk factor for PD, or could be an early warning sign of PD. <i>Symptoms</i> are a subset of phenotypes and are distinct from other phenotypes–even physiological ones–because of their use in a clinical setting.</p>
<p>Below is some of the data we gathered from the PIP baseline survey. Please note that presenting with any of these phenotypes does not mean having Parkinson’s disease. Our services are not meant to diagnose or treat any disease. Please contact your doctor or a <a href="https://www.michaeljfox.org/news/movement-disorder-specialists">movement disorder specialist</a> if you want to be evaluated for Parkinson’s.</p>
<h2>Motor Findings</h2>
<p>Motor symptoms, such as tremors, stiff or slow movements, impaired posture or balance, and rigidity, are the characteristics most commonly used to diagnose Parkinson’s disease. While other motor and non-motor phenotypes are also common, these canonical motor symptoms remain more widely studied and are often what first comes to mind when people think about PD.</p>
<p>The baseline survey asked respondents about a series of motor phenotypes derived from the commonly used MDS-UPDRS rating scale, a few of which are included below. This chart shows the percentage of G2019S carriers and non-carriers who reported experiencing trembling or shaking in any part of their body, changes in handwriting, gait, or stooping posture. Recall that both carriers and non-carriers may or may not have a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease.</p>
<p>These data show that some motor phenotypes previously associated with non-genetic Parkinson’s disease, were reported more frequently by G2019S carriers than non-carriers. While more analysis is needed, early results support the hypothesis that carriers are at increased risk of experiencing these symptoms based on their genetics.</p>
<h2>Non-motor Phenotypes</h2>
<p>In addition to motor symptoms, several non-motor phenotypes have been linked to Parkinson’s disease. However, many of these, such as constipation and cognitive changes, also occur in non-PD populations, and PD also increases in frequency with age, making the selection of appropriate controls very important.</p>
<p>The first chart below shows results from our survey for a few non-motor PD phenotypes. This chart shows the percentage of carriers and non-carriers who reported having trouble concentrating on things, like reading the newspaper or watching television, or who felt down, depressed, or hopeless on at least half of the days in the previous two weeks. It also includes those who reported having fewer than three bowel movements in a typical week.</p>
<p>These data do not clearly show a difference in the risk of developing certain non-motor phenotypes between carriers and non-carriers.</p>
<p>Our survey also asks for additional pieces of participants’ health histories to assess possible links between other health conditions and Parkinson’s disease. Finding an association between PD and another condition may suggest similarities between the biological pathways underlying either disease. Establishing these associations also helps us understand the significance of different PD risk factors.</p>
<p>In this second chart, we show results for a few conditions that are thought to have some relationship with PD. It shows the percentage of carriers and non-carriers diagnosed with or treated for restless leg syndrome, head injury or concussion, and allergies.</p>
<p>Interestingly, these data suggest that having the <i>LRRK2 </i>G2019S variant<i> may </i>increase the risk of having allergies. A previous 23andMe publication titled <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41531-019-0077-5">The Parkinson’s phenome–traits associated with Parkinson’s disease in a broadly phenotyped cohort</a> found a link between seasonal allergies and PD, suggesting a possible similarity in the immune system’s role in both conditions. Our new results support that possibility.</p>
<h2>What’s Next</h2>
<p>The data provided by the respondents to this survey serve as an important first step toward measuring disease progression and potentially identifying clinically useful early signs of PD in <i>LRRK2</i> G2019S carriers. By participating in our surveys, 23andMe customers fill in the gaps in our knowledge and provide a clearer picture of how this disease manifests.</p>
<p>We are excited to continue this research and are grateful for the many consented research participants who make it possible. As our collection of phenotypic data grows, we aim to share results from the Parkinson’s Impact Project.</p>

Preliminary Results from the Parkinson’s Impact Baseline Survey

<p>Even with promising <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright wp-image-29418 size-larger" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/COVID-Image-880x410.png" alt="" width="880" height="410" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/COVID-Image-880x410.png 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/COVID-Image-300x140.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/COVID-Image-768x358.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/COVID-Image-1024x477.png 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/COVID-Image-1180x550.png 1180w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/COVID-Image.png 1394w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 880px) 100vw, 880px" /></p>
<p>As the World Health Organization leaders<a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus/wrapup-1-europe-must-grit-our-teeth-on-covid-19-as-vaccine-euphoria-fades-idUSL1N2HY1Q0"> said recently</a>: &#8220;We may be tired of COVID-19, but it is not tired of us.&#8221;</p>
<p>To help our customers and others during this next phase in the pandemic, 23andMe wanted to remind readers of its <a href="https://you.23andme.com/covid19/">COVID-19 Information Center</a>. To create this resource, our scientists culled through data from the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC). We also condensed data from our own COVID-19 research study looking at genetic differences in both susceptibility and severity of the disease. The site includes data from both sources and offers people a place to learn more about the virus. It also highlights conditions that carry added risks, and actions you can take to lessen your risk.</p>
<h6><b>Growing Numbers</b></h6>
<p>With the numbers and rate of infections continuing to climb this fall, taking preventative actions and understanding risk is even more critical than ever. It&#8217;s sobering to note that in just nine months, the number of confirmed cases in the United States went from one to more than 10 million.</p>
<p>Beyond the stunning trajectory in the rate of infections, the numbers also illustrate that the virus hits each person differently. The virus can be deadly for some.  Projections estimate that deaths from COVID in the U.S. will <a href="https://covid19.healthdata.org/united-states-of-america?view=total-deaths&amp;tab=trend">exceed 300,000 by the end of 2020</a>. For many others, infections will mean hospitalization, or it may result in on-going health issues. But for the majority of those who are infected, the effects may be relatively mild.</p>
<h6><b>Differences in Susceptibility and Severity</b></h6>
<p>A need to understand why that is, why the virus hits some so much harder than others, helped drive <a href="https://you.23andme.com/covid19-study/">23andMe&#8217;s COVID-19 Study</a>. We learned a lot. That genetics — specifically blood type — might play a role in the illness&#8217;s susceptibility and severity. We <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/23andme-research/23andme-covid-study-published/">published our findings</a> in September and shared them with other researchers worldwide looking for new treatments for the virus.</p>
<p>But we also know that other non-genetic factors also play a significant role, including age and underlying chronic health conditions. We included some of this data in our study. For example, the data shows that underlying chronic health conditions like obesity and type 2 diabetes significantly increased the risk for hospitalization for COVID-19. Simply being overweight increased the risk for hospitalization by about 34 percent over those with average body mass index among those participating in our study.</p>
<h6><b>Other Underlying Chronic Health Conditions</b></h6>
<p>In our COVID-19 Information Center, we used preliminary data from the Centers for Disease Control. The information center gives people a way to learn how chronic health conditions might add to their hospitalization risk. (<i>Editor’s Note: This data was from early in the pandemic, and the hospitalization rates have changed since then.</i>)</p>
<p>For example, people with COVID-19 who also have chronic renal disease were almost three times as likely to be hospitalized as others with the virus, according to the CDC data. About three-quarters of patients with the virus and with chronic renal disease were admitted to the hospital. This compares to about 23 percent of all patients with COVID-19 in the study. More than a quarter, (28 percent) of those with COVID-19 and chronic renal disease were admitted to the ICU. This is compared to 7 percent of all COVID-19 patients.</p>
<p>The COVID-19 Information Center also looks at how smoking may increase the risk of hospitalization for those infected. Current or former smokers with COVID were more likely to wind up in the hospital, according to the data. About 43 percent of current and former smokers with the virus required hospitalization and 15 percent were admitted to the ICU.</p>
<p>Those interested in learning more about these and other risk factors can find the COVID-19 Information Center<a href="https://you.23andme.com/covid19/"> here</a>. You can learn more about 23andMe’s COVID-19 Study<a href="https://you.23andme.com/covid19-study/"> here</a>.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-28653 size-large" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Covid-Info-center.png" alt="" width="1024" height="173" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Covid-Info-center.png 2368w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Covid-Info-center-300x51.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Covid-Info-center-1024x173.png 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Covid-Info-center-768x130.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Covid-Info-center-880x149.png 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Covid-Info-center-1180x199.png 1180w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></p>

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

23andMe’s COVID-19 Information Center

<p><b><i>By Brianne Kirkpatrick, </i></b><b><i>MS, LCGC</i></b></p>
<p>Whether it’s a mother <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/mother-son-meet">finding her son</a>, or a daughter <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/23andme-customer-stories/this-fathers-day-is-their-first/">finding her father</a>, or <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/23andme-customer-stories/seoul-sisters-and-brothers/">brothers and sisters meeting</a> for the first time, stories of adoptees using DNA testing to connect to their biological family are profoundly moving.</p>
<p>But DNA testing is also profoundly powerful because it can give adoptees —and their children and grandchildren — an opportunity to discover health risks they might not learn otherwise.</p>
<h2>Tools for Adoptees</h2>
<p>Whether it is uncovering unknown health risks or finding family, DNA testing is a powerful tool for adoptees. Here are some of the ways DNA testing can help adoptees:</p>
<ul>
<li>Identifying genetic family — “Do I have biological relatives who might be interested in connecting?”</li>
<li>Exploring ancestry —“What’s my ethnic background?”</li>
<li>Learning about genetic health risks —“What could a DNA test add to what I know about my medical history?”</li>
</ul>
<p>At-home DNA testing has surged in popularity in recent years, with well over 12 million kits sold at 23andMe. The boom in DNA testing comes at a time of other societal shifts in the world of U.S. adoptions. A <a href="https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2019/s3419">New York State law</a> went into effect in 2020, enabling adult adoptees access to their original birth certificate. Many other states have already made the change, and others will be expected to follow in the future.</p>
<p>The reasons behind a search for biological relatives are unique in every instance. On top of a search for information about biological origins, interest in the health information that can be gleaned from DNA also grows. More uses are available for DNA testing in the medical sector each year, ranging from the prescription of medications to the prediction of who is at higher risk of developing certain cancers.  </p>
<h2>Types of Information to Come from At-home DNA Tests</h2>
<p>23andMe offers direct-to-consumer <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-27264 size-full" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/33111270506_6cdfd74444_k-1-e1563554749812.jpg" alt="" width="1054" height="859" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/33111270506_6cdfd74444_k-1-e1563554749812.jpg 1054w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/33111270506_6cdfd74444_k-1-e1563554749812-300x244.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/33111270506_6cdfd74444_k-1-e1563554749812-768x626.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/33111270506_6cdfd74444_k-1-e1563554749812-1024x835.jpg 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/33111270506_6cdfd74444_k-1-e1563554749812-880x717.jpg 880w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1054px) 100vw, 1054px" />might choose from:</p>
<ul>
<li>Ancestry + Traits Service</li>
<li>Health + Ancestry Service</li>
<li>VIP Health + Ancestry Service</li>
</ul>
<p>The options all use the same type of testing&#8211;genotype analysis&#8211;and look at markers that give information on ethnic ancestry, DNA relatives, select traits influenced by genetics, and certain health-related* reports.</p>
<h2>Whether (and When) to DNA Test?</h2>
<p>Just like non-adopted individuals, people who are adopted have needs as unique as their DNA. There is no one test or one reason for testing that fits all. Even the right time to order a DNA test varies from one person to the next.</p>
<p>23andMe puts customers in control of deciding what information they want to learn and what information they want to share. Customers also have a choice to opt-in to research or other features throughout the product. But those considerations are up to each individual. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright wp-image-28657 size-medium" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/lock.0a035f691712.svg" alt="" width="300" height="300" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads//2020/12/lock.0a035f691712.svg 150w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads//2020/12/lock.0a035f691712.svg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads//2020/12/lock.0a035f691712.svg 1024w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></p>
<p>No one else can tell you what’s the right decision, and <a href="https://www.23andme.com/">DNA testing</a> doesn’t assure that all your questions will be answered. Consider a kit from 23andMe as another way to gather additional information if you’re adopted and have gaps in your information about your past or health.</p>
<p>If someone is looking into getting a kit for another person, for example, adoptive parents who might be looking into testing for a child, keep special considerations like age and preparation in mind. A specialist like a genetic counselor would be a good fit for considering the ins and outs (and the whether and when) of DNA testing in these situations.</p>
<h2>DNA Testing that Matches Family Members</h2>
<p>All of the 23andMe service options allow you to opt into family tree features, DNA Relative Finder, and Automatic Family Tree Builder. These features are of interest to those seeking genetic family, whether or not they have built their own family tree. These tools are not mandatory for customers, and customers can choose to opt-in and opt-out at any time.</p>
<p>A chat feature and choice over automatic notifications of new matches gives customers control of when and how they choose to pursue a search for DNA relatives and how they communicate with others.</p>
<h2>Adoptees, Health Information, and Reports Offered by 23andMe</h2>
<p>Family health history is often a cornerstone of every medical record. It adds another dimension to a person’s health profile, giving doctors and patients alike the information they can use to manage their health. But for many adoptees, their health history is a mystery.</p>
<p>For most of her life Shellye, a 51-year-old mom in Texas said she had no idea about her</p>
<p>family’s medical history.</p>
<p>“At doctors’ visits when I have to answer questions regarding family history I always wrote not applicable because I’m adopted,” she said.</p>
<p>It wasn’t until her 19-year-old daughter suddenly died from a pulmonary embolism that Shellye wanted to learn more. Her 23andMe report showed she had the factor V Leiden mutation putting her at a higher risk for blood clots.</p>
<h2>Talking to Your Doctor</h2>
<p>Your doctor understands the value of family history and genetic risks and is left wondering how to fill in the gap in those situations when your full history is not available. This can be frustrating for everyone. 23andMe can begin to fill in the gaps by providing information about your risk of being a carrier of recessive conditions.* It allows you to choose whether to receive more information like the risk of late-onset Alzheimer’s disease or Parkinson’s disease.* Although not a full picture of a person’s genetic risk, some information is available.</p>
<p>What about health information for you if you are outwardly healthy? A number of adult adoptees have found DNA testing helpful even if they have no particular medical concern in mind. If you are having health issues, you and your doctor should be aware that DNA testing at 23andMe is not diagnostic or a substitute for clinical testing that is diagnostic in nature. If you are having medical symptoms, talk to your doctor about what testing is best for your individual situation.</p>
<h2>Final Thoughts on DNA Testing for Adoptees</h2>
<p>Like in the story of an adopted son and birth mother connecting as a result of a 23andMe test, a DNA test can’t predict the relationship that might follow. As Doug, a 23andMe customer and adoptee, said, “Just go into it with an open mind.”</p>
<p>There is the potential for valuable information to be gained from DNA testing in adoption situations. Be willing to have open conversations with your family, your medical providers, and others. If you are an adoptee and are in contact with your biological family, try to gather what you can about your family medical history. Consider that information a complement to a DNA test.</p>
<div id="attachment_28650" style="width: 310px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-28650" class="wp-image-28650 size-medium" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/image001-300x267.jpg" alt="Brianne Kirkpatrick" width="300" height="267" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/image001-300x267.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/image001-1024x911.jpg 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/image001-768x683.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/image001-880x783.jpg 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/image001-1180x1050.jpg 1180w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/image001.jpg 1596w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /><p id="caption-attachment-28650" class="wp-caption-text">Brianne Kirkpatrick, MS, LCGC</p></div>
<p><b><i>Brianne Kirkpatrick is a genetic counselor and DNA consultant. She is the founder of </i></b><a href="https://www.watersheddna.com/"><b><i>Watershed DNA</i></b></a><b><i> and the author of the book </i></b><b><i>DNA Guide for Adoptees</i></b><b><i>. An alumnus of Indiana University and Northwestern University, Brianne is a member of the National Society of Genetic Counselors, American Board of Genetic Counseling, American Counseling Association, and International Society of Genetic Genealogy. She lives in Crozet, Virginia with her husband and their three children.</i></b></p>
<hr />
<h2><em>Disclaimer</em></h2>
<p><em>*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. Our carrier status reports can be used to determine carrier status, but cannot determine if you have two copies of any genetic variant. These carrier reports are not intended to tell you anything about your risk for developing a disease in the future, the health of your fetus, or your newborn child&#8217;s risk of developing a particular disease later in life. For certain conditions, we provide a single report that includes information on both carrier status and genetic health risk. For important information and limitations regarding each genetic health risk and carrier status report, visit <a href="https://www.23andme.com/test-info/"><b>23andme.com/test-info/</b></a></em></p>

DNA Testing Fills in Gaps for Adult Adoptees 

<p>This Thanksgiving will be different than almost any other. With the pandemic still raging, many people are skipping in-person family gatherings. A recent <a href="https://mediacenter.23andme.com/press-releases/pandemic-changes-holiday-plans/">survey</a> commissioned by 23andMe indicates that fewer than half of residents in the U.S. will gather with family this holiday.<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-25343" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/health_ancestry-300x300.png" alt="" width="300" height="300" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/health_ancestry-300x300.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/health_ancestry-150x150.png 150w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/health_ancestry-271x271.png 271w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/health_ancestry-372x372.png 372w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/health_ancestry-574x574.png 574w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/health_ancestry.png 600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></p>
<p>But whether you celebrate in-person or virtually, you can still take the time to appreciate what you have and to share it in some way with family or friends. You can also take the opportunity of either a virtual or in-person family gathering to do something proactive about your health.</p>
<p>In the United States, November 26th is also <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/genomics/famhistory/knowing_not_enough.htm">National Family Health History Day</a>, a time to take stock of you and your family&#8217;s health history. It sounds a bit odd, but a virtual or in-person family gathering is a perfect time to ask questions and discuss family health history. Family health history is information that can be invaluable for you and your family. It&#8217;s information that you can use now and in the future.</p>
<h6>Here&#8217;s How</h6>
<p>Family health history is considered a cornerstone in anyone&#8217;s medical record. Knowing about your parents&#8217; or grandparents’ or siblings&#8217; health adds another dimension to what you already know about yourself. This knowledge raises awareness about conditions that run in your family. It gives you and your doctor another layer of information for helping to keep you well.</p>
<p>The problem is that many of us are don’t have a complete picture of our family&#8217;s health history. That&#8217;s why each year, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) encourages people to use Thanksgiving to ask questions of relatives and record some of your family&#8217;s health history. Hence the creation of the <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/genomics/famhistory/knowing_not_enough.htm">National Family Health History Day</a>.</p>
<h6>Family Health History Tree<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright wp-image-28546 size-larger" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Family-Health-History-Tree--880x435.jpg" alt="A view of the Family Health History Tree" width="880" height="435" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Family-Health-History-Tree--880x435.jpg 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Family-Health-History-Tree--300x148.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Family-Health-History-Tree--1024x506.jpg 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Family-Health-History-Tree--768x380.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Family-Health-History-Tree--1180x583.jpg 1180w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Family-Health-History-Tree-.jpg 1440w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 880px) 100vw, 880px" /></h6>
<p>The CDC offers <a href="https://phgkb.cdc.gov/FHH/html/index.html">tools</a> to help you and your family record some of this information, but so does 23andMe. Earlier this year, we launched a new <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/health-traits/family-health-history-tree/">Family Health History Tree</a>. The new tool, available for <b><i>Health + Ancestry Service customers in the U.S. and Canada, can help you record and track this information.</i></b></p>
<p>Much like any family tree, this one offers a visual representation of how you connect to different relatives. But this tree adds the ability to include medical conditions, offering you a visual record of current and past health issues for you and your close relatives. 23andMe&#8217;s Family Health History Tree gives you a place to record information you can use to manage your health.</p>
<p>Check it out <a href="https://you.23andme.com/family/tree/#health">here</a>. Not yet, a customer? Find out more <a href="https://www.23andme.com/dna-health-ancestry?fhht=v1">here</a>.</p>

Take Some Time With Family for Your Health

<p><i>By Samantha Ancona Esselmann, Ph.D., a 23andMe Ancestry Product Scientist</i></p>
<p>The <a href="https://www.23andme.com/dna-ancestry">genetic ancestry testing</a> industry† is younger than Facebook.</p>
<p>Since the mid-aughts, around 35 million people have “done their DNA,” and as we chew on our own results, the industry struggles to keep up with an evolving understanding of identity in a genomic era. There’s a lot of learning and adjusting that’s happening in real time.</p>
<p>I’m still learning, too.</p>
<p>I’ve learned that it’s essential that Direct-to-Consumer DNA testing companies be clear about the differences between DNA, ancestry, and identity. And, for this <a href="https://nativeamericanheritagemonth.gov/about/">Native American Heritage </a>Month,‡ I decided to share what I’ve learned about how these concepts impact not only the lives of Indigenous American individuals but also the sovereignties of Indigenous Nations.<i> </i></p>
<p>Identity is complex, and the discussions raised in this post are intended to amplify the perspectives of individuals from North America with Indigenous ancestry. In Mexico, Central America, and South America, Indigenous ancestry is more common than in North America, and their perspectives on how DNA does or does not relate to cultural identity are distinct. Furthermore, the adoption of Indigenous children presents a different set of issues related to identity and ancestry that are not explored here.</p>
<p>Whether or not you have “Native American DNA,” it’s essential to understand what it means — and doesn’t mean — to find evidence of this ancestry in your DNA.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-32806 size-large" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Map-of-Indigenous-American-Reference-Panel-1024x786.jpg" alt="A map of the Americas that shades in where 23andMe customers with Indigenous American ancestry come from." width="1024" height="786" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Map-of-Indigenous-American-Reference-Panel-1024x786.jpg 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Map-of-Indigenous-American-Reference-Panel-300x230.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Map-of-Indigenous-American-Reference-Panel-768x590.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Map-of-Indigenous-American-Reference-Panel-880x676.jpg 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Map-of-Indigenous-American-Reference-Panel-1180x906.jpg 1180w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Map-of-Indigenous-American-Reference-Panel.jpg 1249w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></p>
<h2><b>What it </b><b>does</b><b> mean</b></h2>
<ol>
<li>With some degree of statistical confidence, some sections of your DNA match a limited set of Indigenous American reference individuals more closely than they do other global reference populations.</li>
<li>Suppose information about a possible Indigenous American ancestor is new to you. In that case, you can be excited about this ancestry and use it as a <i>starting</i> place to learn more about the diverse Indigenous histories of the Americas respectfully. However, your test result should be viewed cautiously in the context of the technology’s limitations.</li>
</ol>
<h2><b>What it </b><b>does not</b><b> mean</b></h2>
<ol>
<li>You cannot use these results to seek or confirm membership in a Tribe or Nation. These tests simply do not provide enough information to confirm this kind of affiliation. Tribal enrollment processes use genealogical evidence of kinship, not genetic ancestry test results.</li>
<li>It doesn’t mean you should start identifying as Native American based on the results of a genetic ancestry test.</li>
<li>It doesn’t mean you can claim Native identity and then use genetic ancestry testing to “confirm” it.</li>
<li>It doesn’t mean you can go to your Native American friends and say, “Hey, guess what? I took a DNA test, and it turns out I’m Native American, too!”</li>
</ol>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-32813 size-full" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Kim-Tallbear-Quote.jpg" alt="A quote from Kim TallBear's book." width="723" height="531" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Kim-Tallbear-Quote.jpg 723w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Kim-Tallbear-Quote-300x220.jpg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 723px) 100vw, 723px" /></p>
<h2>Keep in Mind</h2>
<p>If that last point is confusing, perhaps you have a frame of reference that can help you empathize: <i>Would it rub you the wrong way if someone who never lived in your hometown told you they identified as being from there?</i></p>
<p>Being Native American isn&#8217;t just about having Indigenous American ancestry. It&#8217;s about being part of a culture&#8230;part of a community with shared beliefs, histories, and experiences. And no matter where you’re from, biology is ultimately not how group membership is determined.</p>
<p>Just as countries outline their own processes for obtaining citizenship, many Indigenous North American Nations, Tribes, or Bands determine enrollment based on many factors, such as documented descent from enrolled ancestors. While some Indigenous Nations have used DNA to ascertain close familial relationships (e.g., paternity tests), genetic ancestry estimates like those conducted by 23andMe are not used to determine enrollment.</p>
<h2>Cultural Connections</h2>
<p><b><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-32809" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Criteria-for-Enrollment.jpg" alt="A list of some of the criteria for enrollment in a Indigenous American Tribes or Nations." width="1536" height="989" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Criteria-for-Enrollment.jpg 1536w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Criteria-for-Enrollment-300x193.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Criteria-for-Enrollment-768x495.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Criteria-for-Enrollment-1024x659.jpg 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Criteria-for-Enrollment-880x567.jpg 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Criteria-for-Enrollment-1180x760.jpg 1180w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1536px) 100vw, 1536px" />Today, many people with Indigenous American genetic ancestry have no cultural connection to Native communities. </b></p>
<p>There has been a centuries-long, systematic erasure of Indigenous Americans that began with slaughter and continued through the 20th century in the form of cultural assimilation. In North America, the U.S. and Canadian governments <a href="https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/dawes-act.htm">partitioned Native lands</a>, incentivized Native people to <a href="https://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/indian-relocation.html">relocate to cities</a>, and compelled Native families to send their children to <a href="https://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unpfii/documents/IPS_Boarding_Schools.pdf">residential schools</a> far from home, where diseases spread like wildfire, abuse was commonplace, and expressing one’s Native culture was forbidden. For many, the psychological wounds of these institutions are still raw: the last residential school in Canada closed in the 1990s, and many boarding schools continue to operate in the U.S., though attendance is no longer mandatory.</p>
<h2>Identity <b><br />
</b></h2>
<p><b>Around one million 23andMe research participants, including many who don’t identify as Indigenous, have evidence in their DNA of having an Indigenous American ancestor. </b></p>
<p>In 2015, 23andMe published a <a href="https://www.cell.com/ajhg/fulltext/S0002-9297(14)00476-5">study</a> showing that over 5% of our research participants who identify as <i>African</i> American have at least 2% DNA predicted to most closely match an Indigenous American reference population (and 22% are estimated to have at least 1% of this DNA). While self-identified European Americans are generally less likely to have Indigenous American genetic ancestry, the numbers vary widely from one state to the next: as many as 8% of European American customers from Louisiana carried at least 1% of this genetic ancestry.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-32810 size-full" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Self-Reported-European-American-with-NA-ancestry.jpg" alt="A map of the US showing concentrations of European Americans with Native American ancestry." width="1539" height="904" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Self-Reported-European-American-with-NA-ancestry.jpg 1539w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Self-Reported-European-American-with-NA-ancestry-300x176.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Self-Reported-European-American-with-NA-ancestry-768x451.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Self-Reported-European-American-with-NA-ancestry-1024x601.jpg 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Self-Reported-European-American-with-NA-ancestry-880x517.jpg 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Self-Reported-European-American-with-NA-ancestry-1180x693.jpg 1180w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1539px) 100vw, 1539px" /></p>
<h2>The Unexpected</h2>
<p><b>Many of our customers expect to see evidence of Indigenous American ancestry in their DNA but don’t. </b></p>
<p>This is among the most common customer complaints we receive, and there are a few reasons why this could happen. As a result of genetic recombination — the process through which DNA is randomly shuffled between generations — the further back in your family history you look, the less likely you are to have inherited DNA directly from every single one of your ancestors. For example, there’s a roughly 5% chance that you inherited zero DNA from a 5th-great-grandparent.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-32811 size-full" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Grantree-for-Inheritance-NA.jpg" alt="An illustration of how ancestry is inherited from grandparents, to parents to child." width="898" height="641" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Grantree-for-Inheritance-NA.jpg 898w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Grantree-for-Inheritance-NA-300x214.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Grantree-for-Inheritance-NA-768x548.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Grantree-for-Inheritance-NA-880x628.jpg 880w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 898px) 100vw, 898px" /></p>
<p>This means that you can be directly descended from someone indigenous to the Americas without having any DNA evidence of that ancestry.</p>
<h2>Family Stories</h2>
<p>But, there’s another reason someone might not have “Native American DNA”: In North America during the 19th and 20th centuries, white settlers or their descendants sometimes misattributed an ancestor as Indigenous. This may have been to justify a more native-born “Americanness” or to absolve one’s family of blame for colonialism, and these stories are still passed down through families to this day.</p>
<p>If your family has a story like this but no documentation, it doesn’t necessarily mean those stories are wrong and don’t make you a bad person.</p>
<h2>The takeaway</h2>
<p>Whether or not you have “Native American DNA,” your genetic ancestry may not be consistent with your cultural identity. You can celebrate and reflect on what your results can tell you about your genetic ancestors but understand that falsely claiming a romanticized Native <b><i>identity</i></b> based only on that evidence can be deeply offensive to people whose identities, experiences, worldviews, and cultures are shaped by being Native American. Its cultural appropriation <a href="https://qz.com/805704/columbus-day-cultural-appropriation-white-americans-need-to-stop-assuming-native-american-culture-belongs-to-them-too/">stems from colonialism</a>.<i></i></p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-32808 size-full" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Kim-Tallbear-Quote-2.png" alt="" width="716" height="590" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Kim-Tallbear-Quote-2.png 716w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Kim-Tallbear-Quote-2-300x247.png 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 716px) 100vw, 716px" /></p>
<p><b>I leave you with this: Indigenous peoples are modern peoples </b></p>
<p>It’s a simple but essential point.</p>
<p>While it may be easy for you to think of Indigenous peoples as living in the past or to imagine them only in their ceremonial regalia, festooned with intricate beadwork or wearing elaborately feathered headgear, this perception of them does not capture the whole picture of who they are and how they think of themselves today.§</p>
<h2>Learn About Indigenous Culture</h2>
<p>There are countless respectful ways you can engage with Indigenous cultures, and here are just a few:</p>
<ul>
<li>Experience <a href="https://native-land.ca/">Native Land</a> — a resource that “creates spaces where non-Indigenous people can be invited and challenged to learn more about the lands they inhabit, the history of those lands, and how to actively be part of a better future going forward together.”</li>
<li>Follow Indigenous creators on Instagram or TikTok (start by exploring #Indigenous or #Native hashtags).</li>
<li>For Native American heritage month, Amazon Video and PBS are highlighting movies and documentaries featuring Native American voices.</li>
<li>Read the work of the incumbent United States Poet Laureate, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joy_Harjo">Joy Harjo</a>, an enrolled member of the Muskogee Tribe.</li>
<li>Browse <a href="https://americanindian.si.edu/online-resources/exhibition-websites">online exhibitions </a>at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian</li>
<li>Check out the 45th annual <a href="https://www.aifisf.com/">American Indian Film Festival</a>, which ran November 6 &#8211; 14, 2020, or attend the <a href="https://nmai.brand.live/c/nativecinemashowcase">Native Cinema Showcase</a> November 18 &#8211; 27, 2020</li>
</ul>
<p>To dig deeper into this topic, I recommend reading “<a href="https://kimtallbear.com/pubs/how-identifying-native-americans-is-vastly-more-complicated-than-matching-dna/">Native American DNA: Tribal Belongings and the False Promise of Genetic Science</a>” by Kim TallBear.</p>
<p>Have other resources? Share them in the comments below.</p>
<p>Thank you to all of you who continue to grow and learn with us, and thank you for being <i>passionately</i> curious about the world and the diverse stories of the people close to you and those further away.</p>
<hr />
<p>*<i>Did you notice that “Native American DNA” in the title of this piece is in quotes? Krystal Tsosie, a Navajo (Diné) geneticist and bioethicist at Vanderbilt University explains why the phrase is problematic: “It biologically reifies the idea that DNA can be intrinsic to an ethnic group.” Additionally, the term “Native American” is considered U.S.-centric (First Nations people of Canada do not refer to themselves this way), and the phrase is rooted in colonialism: “America” comes from Amerigo Vespucci, an Italian navigator and merchant. For these and other reasons, Tsosie emphasizes, “We, as Indigenous scientists, use the term &#8220;Native American DNA&#8221; to highlight these limitations, but do not consider it a legitimate phrasing.” In this post, the terms “Native” and “Indigenous” are used interchangeably, and “Native American” is the name 23andMe has used for its reference panel for the Americas to date. </i></p>
<p>†<i> In 2007, 23andMe became the first autosomal genetic ancestry test available to consumers. However, limited Y chromosomal and mitochondrial DNA analyses were available to consumers before 2007. </i></p>
<p>‡ Native American Heritage Month is celebrated during November in the U.S. Canada celebrates National Indigenous History Month in June.</p>
<p><i>• Even indigeneity is a modern category and people may not understand themselves in this way. For example, modern “Indigenous” Europeans would most likely identify as “European” rather than “Indigenous European.” Colonialism has forced such distinctions between Indigenous peoples and settler colonizers. </i></p>


What it means to have “Native American DNA”*

<p><em>The virtual game offers a fun way to learn about traits you may not know are genetically influenced</em></p>
<p>If you&#8217;re like us, you love to play games with your family over the holidays. This year, however, the pandemic is forcing us to spend the holidays a little differently.</p>
<h6><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-28632" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Screen-Shot-2020-11-17-at-4.06.06-PM-1024x330.png" alt="" width="1024" height="330" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Screen-Shot-2020-11-17-at-4.06.06-PM-1024x330.png 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Screen-Shot-2020-11-17-at-4.06.06-PM-300x97.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Screen-Shot-2020-11-17-at-4.06.06-PM-768x247.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Screen-Shot-2020-11-17-at-4.06.06-PM-880x283.png 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Screen-Shot-2020-11-17-at-4.06.06-PM-1180x380.png 1180w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></h6>
<h6>The Survey Says</h6>
<p>According to a <a href="https://mediacenter.23andme.com/press-releases/pandemic-changes-holiday-plans/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">new survey</a> commissioned by 23andMe, over half of individuals do not plan to attend holiday gatherings such as Thanksgiving (51 percent) and Christmas / Hanukkah (53 percent) in person this year. With that in mind, we wanted to come up with a fun way for families to connect even if they can’t be together this holiday season.</p>
<p>As a genetics company, we are endlessly fascinated by DNA, and we‘re out to make genetics accessible and understandable for everyone.</p>
<h6>Let the Fun Begin</h6>
<p>We think there’s no better way to indulge in this fascination and start a few conversations, than a Genetics Bingo game. Sure, you probably know genetics help determine your eye color or hair type, but the game also focuses on traits you may be surprised may be genetically influenced — including the likelihood of the fear of public speaking, the chances of having a widow’s peak, or even whether you are likely to smell the aftereffects asparagus in your urine.</p>
<h6>How to Play</h6>
<p>You can play the game a few different ways:</p>
<ol>
<li><b>Traditional Bingo:&nbsp;</b>A designated person calls out phrases from the call sheet. If a player has the called phrase on their card, they mark the square if and only if the phrase is true for them. For example, Jim calls “Able to match musical pitch.” Sally has the phrase on her sheet, however, based on her recent singing in the shower she knows she cannot match musical pitches. She will NOT mark the square.<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright wp-image-26384 size-full" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/pitch-perfect.png" alt="" width="237" height="218"></li>
<li><b>Race to the Finish:&nbsp;</b>Set a timer for 1 minute. Each player goes through their card marking squares filled with phrases that are true for them. Whoever has the most squares marked at the end wins.</li>
<li><b>Social Sharing:&nbsp;</b>Mark all the squares on your card that you believe are true for you. Post to your social media account and tag three friends.</li>
</ol>
<p>We hope this is an entertaining way for you and your family to spend some time over the holidays. And who knows, you might learn something you never knew about yourself and your family members. If you’re having fun, feel free to post and tag us on social at <a href="https://twitter.com/23andMe?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor">@23andme</a>!</p>
<p>Interested? A PDF of the game can be downloaded here.</p>


<div data-wp-interactive="core/file" class="wp-block-file"><object data-wp-bind--hidden="!state.hasPdfPreview" hidden class="wp-block-file__embed" data="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/GeneticsBingo.Package.Final_.pdf" type="application/pdf" style="width:100%;height:600px" aria-label="Embed of Embed of GeneticsBingo.Package.Final.."></object><a id="wp-block-file--media-8c9de86c-ed29-4c23-bb7a-f17649471f6d" href="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/GeneticsBingo.Package.Final_.pdf">GeneticsBingo.Package.Final</a><a href="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/GeneticsBingo.Package.Final_.pdf" class="wp-block-file__button" download aria-describedby="wp-block-file--media-8c9de86c-ed29-4c23-bb7a-f17649471f6d">Download</a></div>



<p> For those on mobile devices, you can download a game cards below.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="612" height="792" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Genetics-Bingo-Cards.Final-01.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-30736" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Genetics-Bingo-Cards.Final-01.jpg 612w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Genetics-Bingo-Cards.Final-01-232x300.jpg 232w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 612px) 100vw, 612px" /></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Genetics-Bingo-Cards.Final-02.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-30733"/></figure>


23andMe Introduces Genetics Bingo Game to Help Families Connect Over the Holidays

<p></p>
<p><em>November is <a href="https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/community-health-outreach/national-diabetes-month">National Diabetes Awareness Month</a>, so we wanted to share Bob&#8217;s story with you about how learning about his genetic risk for type 2 diabetes gave him the motivation to take charge of his health.</em></p>
<p><strong><em>By Amanda <span class="gI"><span email="amccorq@gmail.com" data-hovercard-id="amccorq@gmail.com" data-hovercard-owner-id="135">McCorquodale</span></span></em></strong></p>
<p><span>When he retired from nursing Bob Rodriquez felt great, but he thought he should do more to be healthier. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/BobRodriguez.jpeg" alt="Bob Rodriquez smiling." class="alignright size-medium wp-image-28613" width="215" height="300" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/BobRodriguez.jpeg 458w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/BobRodriguez-215x300.jpeg 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 215px) 100vw, 215px" /></span><span></span></p>
<p><span> At his yearly check-ups, his fasting blood sugar registered in the pre-diabetic range of 106 to 110, and that concerned him. </span><span></span></p>
<p><span>“ I always thought that if I stay active and don&#8217;t do anything in excess, maybe I won’t develop diabetes,” said Bob, who lives in Pleasant Hill, California.</span></p>
<p><span></span></p>
<h6><span>A Wake-Up Call</span></h6>
<p><span>But it was when he read his 23andMe Type 2 Diabetes report showing an increased likelihood of developing it that really motivated him to make a big change. </span></p>
<p><span>“It was a wake-up call,” Bob said. “I could no longer pretend that just continuing my usual habits would necessarily keep me from developing diabetes.” </span></p>
<p><span>In light of his results, Bob decided it was time to do something to try and lower his likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes. </span></p>
<p><span>“I started looking deeper into it with resources like the National Institute of Health, which says that as you get older, your risk of diabetes increases,” says Bob, who recently turned 65.<br /></span></p>
<h6><span>Taking the First Steps</span></h6>
<p><span>After reading his <a href="https://www.23andme.com/dna-health-ancestry" target="_blank" rel="noopener">23andMe health report</a>, Bob learned about steps he could take to reduce his likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes. <br /></span></p>
<p><span>“There were (many)  modifications you could make,” he said. “I learned that if you just reduce your weight by 7 percent, for example, it would be a fairly significant reduction in risk. I found that really encouraging.”</span></p>
<p><span>During his nursing career, Bob worked in critical care, and he saw patients who suffered from diabetes for years. Often those people developed heart and kidney disease. He also saw patients who had kept their diabetes in check with diet and exercise. It was a lesson on how important a role these habits play in your health. </span></p>
<p><span></span></p>
<h6><span>Setting a Goal</span></h6>
<p><span>At 5’ 7” and 189 pounds, Bob said he had a body mass index (BMI) of 29.6 which is deemed overweight, according to the NIH. <br /></span></p>
<p><span>“And you’re considered overweight when it’s above 25,” he said. “Going below 25 BMI felt unattainable to me. Yet I felt I could drop 7 percent of my weight and reduce my risk of developing diabetes. I even decided to push for a 10 percent weight loss.”</span></p>
<p><span>In addition to exercising more, Bob made some significant and consistent changes in his diet. <br /></span></p>
<p><span>“My eating habits aren&#8217;t too bad but there are some foods that I definitely needed to eliminate,” he said. “I love white rice, for example, but it gives such a spike to your glucose, so I finally transitioned to brown rice.”</span></p>
<h6><span>A Few Small Changes <br /></span></h6>
<p><span>Instead of eating three big meals a day, Bob now eats a big breakfast and then four smaller meals throughout the day. He also became more mindful when eating, opting not to stand and eat a sandwich, for instance, but to sit down and really focus on what&#8217;s on the plate. </span><span></span></p>
<p><span>“It made a difference when I could concentrate on just eating and chewing,” he explains. “It lets my body and mind recognize and feel the satisfaction of having something to eat.”</span></p>
<p><span>Bob has already lost 15 pounds but he&#8217;s experienced a small plateau in his progress. <br /></span></p>
<p><span>“I watched a great episode of Nova about how once you gain weight, the body wants to stay there,” he said. “Their point wasn’t that you shouldn’t try, but that it’s not a sprint, it&#8217;s a marathon. It’s important to make fundamental lifestyle changes to persist through the plateaus.”</span></p>
<h6><span>Health in the Time of COVID</span></h6>
<p><span>His weight loss journey started at about the same time as the shelter-in-place precautions due to the coronavirus pandemic. He admits that staying home took away certain temptations such as stopping for fast food while running errands or getting together with friends for drinks and meals at restaurants. The ample time at home also gave him the chance to cook and prepare foods of healthy portions and ingredients. <br /></span></p>
<p><span>“For me, the timing has actually been fortunate,” he said. </span></p>
<h6><span>Taking Time to Give Back</span></h6>
<p><span>In addition to losing weight and minimizing his diabetes risk, Bob has been spending the months of shutdown finally organizing his garage as well as volunteering with the American Red Cross.</span><span></span></p>
<p><span>“My wife and I did get deployed during the latest fires here in Northern California,” he said. “Most of the evacuees were placed in hotels. As American Red Cross nurses, we were able to provide health services to those clients over the phone to adhere to coronavirus precautions.”</span><span></span></p>
<p><span>As for his weight loss, even though he’s already met the 7 percent goal, he’s not going to stop there. Learning of his increased likelihood for type 2 diabetes, got his attention and motivated him to lose weight, Bob said.</span><span></span></p>
<p><span>“While getting to my goal of 10 percent weight loss is more difficult than I anticipated, I’m not discouraged. I continue to work on the lifestyle changes I’ve made and feel that if I continue to stay the course, I will hit that goal.”</span><span></span></p>
<p><em><strong>Amanda McCorquodale is a freelance writer. Her work has appeared in Gourmet, Miami Magazine, and Mental Floss. She previously worked as an associate editor at the Huffington Post and as an Arts and Culture Editor at the Miami New Times. She lives in New York with her family. Previously she wrote a three-part series on her own DNA journey with 23andMe. <br /></strong></em></p>
<p></p>

How a Health Report Became a Wake-Up Call for Healthier Habits


<p>Research shows that there really are &#8220;cat people&#8221; and &#8220;dog people.&#8221; Being one or the other is associated with differences in personality and well-being, according to new data analyzed by 23andMe.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-medium"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="300" height="200" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/GettyImages-1196356447-300x200.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-30160" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/GettyImages-1196356447-300x200.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/GettyImages-1196356447.jpg 724w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></figure>



<p>While the data reveals a clear cat-dog divide, what is less clear is whether it reflects pre-existing differences or whether owning a dog or a cat contributes to those differences. In other words, does owning a dog or cat make you feel better, less stressed, or even improve your overall health? Does it influence how outgoing you are or how much you exercise?</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-seeking-solace">Seeking Solace</h2>



<p>Those are interesting questions, especially now during this period of social isolation due to the pandemic. Since the start of stay-at-home orders, there has been a surge in pet adoptions in the United States. This surge has resulted in fewer pets to adopt and a so-called <a href="https://abc7news.com/national-christmas-puppy-shortage-adopting-for-holidays-demand-covid-pandemic-more-dogs-bay-area/6873566/">&#8220;puppy shortage&#8221;</a> just as the holidays approach.</p>



<p>The increased demand for cats and dogs also suggests that owning a pet offers the potential for companionship and solace during these stressful times for some people. That&#8217;s been true for ages. People have kept cats and dogs as companions for millennia. The bond with dogs goes back <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0022821">30,000 years</a>, while cats took a little longer to cozy up to humans, and that bond goes back 4,000 years. The domestication of cats and dogs benefited both humans and our canine and feline friends. Over time that relationship has evolved beyond merely catching rodents or guarding us by the campfire.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-some-differences-between-cat-and-dog-owners">Some Differences Between Cat and Dog Owners</h2>



<div style="float: right; text-align: justified; width: 300px; background-color: #eee; padding: 15px; margin-left: 10px;">
<h6>Cat Owners</h6>
<p><code style="display: none;"><br>
</code></p>
<ul>
<li>If you are married without kids, you’re more likely to own a cat.</li>
<li>Cat owners are a little more stressed than dog owners.</li>
<li>Cat owners are more likely to live in an urban setting than dog owners.</li>
<li>Women, particularly middle-aged women, are more likely to own a cat.</li>
<li>Cat owners are on average more highly educated.</li>
</ul>
<p><code style="display: none;"><br>
</code></p>
</div>



<p>For years, scientists have studied pet ownership and its correlation to differences in <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.2752/175303710X12750451258850">personality</a> and health outcomes. There is some promising research on the <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-019-44083-9#Abs1">heritability of dog ownership</a>. In addition to genetic factors, 23andMe&#8217;s data reveals that cat and dog ownership is a good barometer for health, personality, and even certain behaviors. We also saw differences between those who owned a cat versus a dog. (See sidebar for some of those clear differences in the data.)</p>



<p>For instance, our data showed that women, particularly middle-aged women, are more likely to own a cat than men. Also, if you are married but do not have children, you&#8217;re more likely to own a cat. And cat owners are a little more stressed than dog owners.</p>



<p>However, whether you own a dog or a cat also correlates with other things. Where you live, in a city or a more rural community, plays a role, such as your income and family status. Those demographic factors also affect your health and personality.</p>



<p>So what did we find?</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pets-and-stress">Pets and Stress</h2>



<div style="float: right; text-align: justified; width: 300px; background-color: #eee; padding: 15px; margin-left: 10px;">
<h6>Dog Owners</h6>
<p><code style="display: none;"><br>
</code></p>
<ul>
<li>Dog owners are more likely to be married with kids.</li>
<li>Dog owners get a lot more exercise than people who don’t own a dog, 14 percent more likely to exercise each week.</li>
<li>Dog owners are more extroverted than those who don’t own a dog.</li>
</ul>
<p><code style="display: none;"><br>
</code></p>
</div>



<p>Some of it was surprising, considering the surge in pet adoptions. 23andMe&#8217;s data — from more than 1.5 million customers who consented to participate in research — found an association between owning a cat or a dog and <b><i>more stress, </i></b>not less. We used a <a href="http://www.ucdenver.edu/academics/colleges/medicalschool/departments/Anesthesiology/Wellness/Documents/PerceivedStressScale.pdf">10-item Perceived Stress Scale</a> to compute a relative stress score. Our data, however, doesn&#8217;t show whether individuals get pets because they are already stressed or whether their stress comes from the added responsibilities of owning a pet. People with more stress may be more likely to own pets, and we do not have data to show whether owning a pet helps reduce that stress.</p>



<p>23andMe&#8217;s findings offer a slightly different take on other studies that <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/20/pets-make-you-less-stressed-more-productive-and-healthy-amid-covid-19.html">associate lower stress with pet ownership</a>. But both cat and dog owners are more likely to be stressed, so we simply can’t say whether owning a pet helps to lower their stress.</p>



<p>Our data also highlighted some differences between cat owners and dog owners. For example, dog owners are more likely than cat owners to be married with kids, and they&#8217;re more likely to exercise each week. And dog owners are more extroverted than those who don&#8217;t own a dog.</p>



<p>While the dog versus cat divide may tell us something about personality traits and well-being, it&#8217;s not the complete picture. Some of those differences may have more to do with whether you live in a city or live in rural areas, which may have something to do with demographics.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-urban-and-rural-divide">Urban and Rural Divide</h2>



<p>Below is what we saw when we plotted some of this data on maps of the US. We found distinct regional differences between urban and rural communities. For example, we saw that customers in Alaska, which is mostly rural, are much more likely to own a dog than a cat. That’s likely because it’s too cold in Alaska for cats to be outside.</p>



<p>Simultaneously, being in a rural county doesn&#8217;t necessarily mean you&#8217;re more likely to be a dog owner. For instance, in similarly rural states in the Northeast, specifically in Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire, customers are more likely to own a cat, which may be because cats are used for pest control.</p>



<p>So why do we ask these kinds of questions? What does owning a cat or a dog have to do with genetics or your health?</p>



<p>23andMe asks customers many questions, not just about their health and traits but also about seemingly unrelated things like their ability to do a cartwheel or curl their tongues. We ask these questions because they add layers to what we can learn about how the environment and genetics play a role in personality, well-being, and even health risks.</p>



<p>Customers who are participating in research can look at our <a href="https://you.23andme.com/p/394a5612ffeef442/research/">research overview here</a>. Not yet, a customer? You can <a href="https://www.23andme.com/compare-dna-tests/">Compare 23andMe products </a>or <a href="https://www.23andme.com/publications/">view our research publications</a> for more information.</p>



<p>&nbsp;</p>


Latest Posts — Page 54