Today, 23andMe added a new Genetic Health Risk report on APOL1-related chronic kidney disease that has particular relevance for customers with African ancestry.
<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/kidneydisease/basics.html">Chronic kidney disease</a> is when the kidneys stop working properly over time. It&#8217;s estimated that at least 40 percent of adults in the U.S. will develop chronic kidney disease during their lifetime [1]. If left untreated, chronic kidney disease can lead to complications, including heart disease or stroke, anemia, bone problems, a weakened immune system, and kidney failure. Because chronic kidney disease often has no symptoms at first, up to 90 percent of people with the condition aren&#8217;t aware they have it [2].
<h2>Two Variants in the Report</h2>
The Chronic Kidney Disease (APOL1-Related) Genetic Health Risk report* includes two variants in the APOL1 gene that can increase the risk of developing chronic kidney disease. These two variants — called G1 and G2 — are most common in people of African descent: about 13 percent of African Americans have two APOL1 risk variants, which puts them at increased risk for chronic kidney disease and several types of end-stage kidney disease (also called kidney failure). In addition, kidneys from donors with two APOL1 risk variants tend to survive for a shorter time after transplantation [3].
&#8220;We hope that this report can help guide conversations with a healthcare professional so that customers can work with their doctor to help manage their risk for chronic kidney disease,&#8221; said 23andMe Product Scientist Ruth Tennen.
<h2>Chronic Kidney Disease in African Americans</h2>
In the U.S., African Americans are about three times as likely to develop end-stage kidney disease as Americans of European descent [2], and it&#8217;s thought that the APOL1 G1 and G2 variants account for a large proportion of this excess risk.
Although there is currently no evidence that particular interventions are more or less effective at reducing chronic kidney disease risk in people with two APOL1 risk variants, studies have reported support in the African American community for offering APOL1 testing. In these studies, participants have highlighted that such testing could increase awareness and knowledge about kidney disease, motivate a healthier lifestyle, provide insight into potential risks for family members, and provide opportunities for future research that could help eliminate racial disparities in end-stage kidney disease [4].
<h2>Other Factors Also Influence Risk</h2>
Despite the impact of the APOL1 G1 and G2 variants on chronic kidney disease risk, most cases of chronic kidney disease are not caused by these two variants. In addition to genetics, many other factors can influence the chances of developing chronic kidney disease, including age, family history, and lifestyle factors. Diabetes and high blood pressure are two of the biggest risk factors for chronic kidney disease in adults [5] [6].
The Chronic Kidney Disease (APOL1-Related) Genetic Health Risk report is available to 23andMe Health + Ancestry customers who are genotyped on the V5 version of our chip. Not yet a customer, find out more <a href="https://www.23andme.com/dna-health-ancestry">here</a>.
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[1] McMahon GM et al. (2017). &#8220;Residual lifetime risk of chronic kidney disease.&#8221; Nephrol Dial Transplant. 32(10):1705-1709. [<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27358274/">https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27358274/</a>]
[2] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. &#8220;Chronic Kidney Disease in the United States, 2019.&#8221;
[3] Freedman BI et al. (2018). &#8220;APOL1-Associated Nephropathy: A Key Contributor to Racial Disparities in CKD.&#8221; Am J Kidney Dis. 72(5 Suppl 1):S8-S16. [<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30343724/">https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30343724/</a>]
[4] Umeukeje EM et al. (2019). &#8220;You Are Just Now Telling Us About This? African American Perspectives of Testing for Genetic Susceptibility to Kidney Disease.&#8221; J Am Soc Nephrol. 30(4):526-530. <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30858224/">https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30858224/</a>]
[5] American Heart Association. &#8220;Kidney Disease and Diabetes.&#8221; [https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/diabetes/why-diabetes-matters/kidney-disease&#8211;diabetes]
[6] American Heart Association. &#8220;How High Blood Pressure Can Lead to Kidney Damage or Failure.&#8221; [<a href="https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure/health-threats-from-high-blood-pressure/how-high-blood-pressure-can-lead-to-kidney-damage-or-failure">https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure/health-threats-from-high-blood-pressure/how-high-blood-pressure-can-lead-to-kidney-damage-or-failure</a>]
*The 23andMe PGS 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. The Chronic Kidney Disease (APOL1-Related) genetic health risk report (i) is indicated for reporting of the S342G and N388_Y389del variants in the APOL1 gene, which define the G1 and G2 haplotypes, respectively and (ii) describes if a person has variants associated with an increased risk of developing chronic kidney disease. The variants included in this report are the most common and best studied in people of African descent.
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23andMe Blog

23andMe Blog Team

23andMe Offers a New Report on APOL1-Related Chronic Kidney Disease

This month marks the two-year anniversary of 23andMe’s collaboration with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). In <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-28361 size-medium alignright" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Therapeutic-300x119.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="119" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Therapeutic-300x119.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Therapeutic.jpg 564w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />July 2018 the two <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/news/collaboration-with-gsk/">joined forces</a> to focus on increasing the probability of success in drug development by prioritizing candidates validated by human genetics.
<a href="https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/513945v1">Studies</a> show that treatments that have been validated with genetic data are at least twice as likely to succeed when compared to traditional approaches.
Ultimately, the goal of the collaboration is to drive the discovery of novel, genetically validated drug targets to bring new transformational medicines to patients. There are now close to 30 therapeutic targets that have been identified in oncology, immunology, neurology, cardiovascular and metabolic disease. The majority of these preclinical programs are in the target validation phase, and the remainder are in early drug discovery programs.
“Since our inception, 23andMe has strived to help people access, understand, and benefit from the human genome,” said Anne Wojcicki, 23andMe co-founder, and CEO. “We launched our research program more than a decade ago with the idea that we could make a significant impact on drug discovery with a crowdsourced genetic community. The collaboration with GSK accelerates us making that a reality.”
In a significant milestone for the collaboration, GSK and 23andMe have advanced the first joint asset into the clinic, a potential first-in-class cancer treatment that was discovered by GSK and being co-developed by the two companies. GSK and 23andMe were working on similar programs independently prior to the collaboration; GSK’s was chosen to advance to the clinic. The axis was genetically validated by 23andMe using a proprietary algorithm that compares potential drug targets to a unique data set from the 23andMe research platform. This data set comprises detailed genetic information integrated with thousands of phenotypes (non-genetic information) to help uncover genetic patterns, enabling scientists from 23andMe and from GSK to identify potential therapeutic candidates.
The benefit of this exclusive collaboration goes well beyond the programs. The collaboration is bringing together great science, new technology, and outstanding people to steer research where the data shows we can have the most impact. 23andMe brings large-scale genetic resources, antibody and protein engineering, and substantial biology experience and with its 300-year history, GSK provides tremendous expertise and resources to turn new ideas into new medicines and vaccines.
Data studied as part of the collaboration — and for all 23andMe research — is contributed by customers who explicitly opt-in to a separate research consent. 23andMe scientists study the data in-house and share summary statistics, stripped of any personal information. Collaborating with GSK allows 23andMe to much more quickly deliver on what many customers have been asking for — better treatments for diseases where current therapies are inadequate today.
“We give our customers the opportunity to participate in <a href="https://www.23andme.com/research/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">novel research programs</a> across a wide variety of areas,” said Anne. “When we talk with customers who are suffering from a disease, they are hoping our research community can impact their lives, or future lives, by understanding the genetic cause of a disease and possibly finding a treatment.”

23andMe and GSK Clinical Trial

A physician, lawyer, and business leader, Okey brings a rich mix of experience to 23andMe. We sat down to learn more about his background, education, and future aspirations in his new role.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright wp-image-28355 size-medium" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Okey-2-218x300.jpg" alt="" width="218" height="300" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Okey-2-218x300.jpg 218w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Okey-2-743x1024.jpg 743w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Okey-2-768x1058.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Okey-2-639x880.jpg 639w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Okey-2-857x1180.jpg 857w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Okey-2.jpg 1065w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 218px) 100vw, 218px" />
Okey began his career as an IP litigator, with stints at Weil, Gotshal &amp; Manges LLP and Kasowitz, Benson, Torres, &amp; Friedman LLP, serving as a partner at the latter. Throughout his career, Okey has practiced medicine at the V.A. Palo Alto Emergency Department, leveraging his unique background to develop broad expertise in clinical medical operations.
Building on this experience, Okey founded and led Zobreus Medical, a StartX-backed company that developed patient-centered digital health solutions for consumers and providers. Most recently, Okey worked as counsel at K&amp;L Gates LLP, and then as in-house counsel and Head of Medical Affairs for Virta Health Corp.  
Okey earned his undergraduate and medical degrees from The Ohio State University and its College of Medicine before completing a family medicine residency at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center. He received his J.D. from Stanford Law School.
Okey is a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and serves as a Senior Flight Surgeon for the United States Air Force Reserves. Okey is an avid sports fan, and a married, father of three.
<h6>Tell us about your childhood and growing up, as well as your family’s connection to Ohio State University.</h6>
I was born and raised in Columbus, OH, the firstborn of Nigerian immigrants who emigrated as part of the mass exodus of Nigerians in the many years after the Nigerian Civil War. They came to Ohio State for graduate studies.
My father was a professor of political science and black studies, and my mother held various leadership positions at the university. Even though my grandparents were illiterate, my parents were academics (both PhDs) and raised four professional children who went on to become doctors and lawyers. We grew up on Ohio State’s campus and all four children graduated from the university.
<h6>How did you become interested in medicine?</h6>
I remember being interested in math and science at least by the fourth grade and wanting to be a scientist. I think I settled on being a doctor around middle school, probably as a result of the Cosby Show.
<h6>And not only do you have an M.D. but you also received a J.D. Tell us more about your shift to law and what led to that career move?</h6>
Toward the middle of my residency, I started to feel a bit jaded about medicine. I was working in an underserved community (Washington Heights) in an era of increasing consolidation, managed care, and various reimbursement challenges. The joy of practicing medicine was fading and I wanted to work on health care reform.
I set out originally thinking I would do government or policy work, but I ended up being a patent litigator for most of my career. What I didn’t plan for was how relevant the litigation and regulatory skill set I picked up would be for health care leadership. When combined with clinical practice, this has given me a 360 degree perspective on many health care issues.
<h6>You also serve as a Senior Flight Surgeon in the US Air Force. Can you share what you’ve done in this admirable role?</h6>
Around the time I started law school, I was commissioned into the United States Air Force Reserves. After living through September 11, 2001 in Manhattan, I knew I wanted to serve.
I trained as a flight surgeon, which is a fancy term used in the military to describe a physician who is trained to manage critical health care scenarios while in flight, and if necessary, in combat. I thought one weekend a month would be a manageable commitment that would allow me to stay connected to medicine.
But it’s been more involved, and I’ve had two overseas deployments including one in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom during the surge. During that service, I was awarded an Air Medal for Meritorious Achievement While Participating in Aerial Flight — one of the proudest achievements in my career.
<h6>Why did you decide to join 23andMe?</h6>
I was looking for three things in my next opportunity: impact, innovation, and inspiration. I wanted to go somewhere I genuinely felt I could help have a positive impact not only at the company, but on healthcare as a whole. I was looking to join an innovative company that was committed to developing new products and services in creative ways, while continuing to delight on its existing offerings.
And lastly, I desperately wanted to go to a place where I would be inspired every day, working with amazing people with a passion for tackling tough problems.
Somewhere that values what I bring to the table, and where I’m in turn awed by my phenomenal colleagues. 23andMe is such a place. And once I learned more about Anne’s incredible vision, and after I met my future teammates, it was a no-brainer!
<h6>What most excites you about this role?</h6>
I’m excited about playing a role in defining a new category in the delivery of healthcare. While the exact contours remain to be defined, this role will have a substantive impact on shaping that category.
<h6>What are some of the biggest challenges you foresee?</h6>
Defining a new category in healthcare is daunting. There will be naysayers and opponents. There will be entrenched interests who currently benefit from the inefficiencies we seek to address.
But the biggest potential challenge will not be external. It will be whether or not we have the resolve to weather these storms and persist in our determination to bring something better to the table. Given past challenges, and having met many on the leadership team, I have no doubt we will overcome all obstacles.
<h6>What is the best career advice you can share?</h6>
The best supervisors and bosses work for you, and not the other way around. Make sure to push your supervisors to challenge you and give you opportunities above your current skills or experience set. Think about what it is that you want to do next and then ask for projects related to that.
This is how you grow and prepare yourself for more advanced roles.
<h6>What are you passionate about?</h6>
My children are the center of my universe. Everything my wife and I do is aimed toward making the world a little bit better for them. This means proactively contributing to ensuring that they live in a world that’s tolerant, inclusive, and equitable.
As black children, they need to grow up believing &#8212; knowing &#8212; that their skin color isn’t a liability, or worse, a death sentence. That’s not the world we live in now, and nothing that I do will mean anything if that doesn’t change.

Introducing L. Okey Onyejekwe Jr.

Published in <a href="https://www.cell.com/ajhg/fulltext/S0002-9297(20)30200-7">The American Journal of Human Genetics</a>, a paper by 23andMe researchers leveraged genetic data from close to 50,000 people to detail one of the most comprehensive investigations of the transatlantic slave trade ever done. 
The study confirms genetic links between regions in the Americas with areas along the Atlantic coast of Africa that align with routes of known slave voyages documented in shipping records. 
The researchers were able to date the arrival of specific African populations to different parts of the Americas and the representation of specific African communities in those regions of America.

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 <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-style-default"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="654" src="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/slave-trade-by-volume.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-27639" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/slave-trade-by-volume.jpg 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/slave-trade-by-volume-300x192.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/slave-trade-by-volume-768x491.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/slave-trade-by-volume-880x562.jpg 880w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
 
<h6>Genetic Data and Historical Records</h6>
“Last year marked 400 years since the arrival of the first enslaved Africans in what was to become the United States of America,” said lead author Steven Micheletti, Ph.D., and a 23andMe population geneticist. 

 <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-style-default"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="538" src="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/African-Deportation_Final_01-1-1024x538.png" alt="" class="wp-image-28348" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/African-Deportation_Final_01-1-1024x538.png 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/African-Deportation_Final_01-1-300x158.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/African-Deportation_Final_01-1-768x403.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/African-Deportation_Final_01-1-880x462.png 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/African-Deportation_Final_01-1-1180x620.png 1180w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/African-Deportation_Final_01-1.png 1200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
 
&nbsp;
The study documents genetic links to Africa in the Americas, Steven said.
“It’s important that we understand the rich history and contributions of African people and their descendants, to the culture and history not only of the United States but also to all the Americas. In looking at the genetic landscape that resulted from this forced migration, one gets a deep and profound sense of the continuous hardships people of African descent have endured.”
<h6>Some Surprises</h6>
While the study aligns with known historical records, the researchers also made some unexpected findings. One was an over-representation of Nigerian ancestry in many parts of the Americas compared to what shipping records show.
&nbsp;

 <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-style-default"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="538" src="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Mean-African_Final_02-1024x538.png" alt="" class="wp-image-28345" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Mean-African_Final_02-1024x538.png 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Mean-African_Final_02-300x158.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Mean-African_Final_02-768x403.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Mean-African_Final_02-880x462.png 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Mean-African_Final_02-1180x620.png 1180w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Mean-African_Final_02.png 1200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
 
&nbsp;
This most likely reflects the often under-discussed active trade that moved slaves within the Americas, even after the slave trade had been banned by several European nations. 
The data also indicated that South America and Central America had the lowest proportion of African ancestry when compared to the United States and the British Caribbean. This is despite the majority of enslaved people taken from Africa being shipped to South America. It likely reflects cultural and historical differences. It could be due to higher mortality rates in those areas, but also it may be a result that some Latin and South American countries promoted dilution of African ethnicity through intermarriage of fair-skinned European men and women of African descent.&nbsp;
Another surprise was that the researchers failed to find strong genetic connections with people from Senegal and The Gambia. That was unexpected given the number of enslaved people that were deported from that region of Africa. 
The researchers believe this may be because many of those enslaved Senegambians were transported to rice plantations in the United States because they had experience cultivating rice in Africa. But rice plantations in the United States were often rampant with malaria, resulting in extremely high death rates among enslaved people on those plantations.
<h6>History in the DNA</h6>
And the analysis yielded insights into other brutal practices of slavery, one that impacted the lifespan of male slaves and the sexual exploitation of women. 
<div class="mceTemp">
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</div>

 <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-style-default"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="538" src="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/African-Sex-Bias_-Final_01-1-1024x538.png" alt="" class="wp-image-28347" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/African-Sex-Bias_-Final_01-1-1024x538.png 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/African-Sex-Bias_-Final_01-1-300x158.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/African-Sex-Bias_-Final_01-1-768x403.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/African-Sex-Bias_-Final_01-1-880x462.png 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/African-Sex-Bias_-Final_01-1-1180x620.png 1180w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/African-Sex-Bias_-Final_01-1.png 1200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
 
&nbsp;
The report confirmed what other studies have shown: a bias towards African female contributions to the gene pools of the Americas due to generations of rape and exploitation. The study found that this was particularly stark in Central America and South America. 
This was another example where genetic results support historical accounts of the dehumanization of enslaved people and their descendants 
<h6>A Deeper Understanding</h6>
Joanna Mountain, 23andMe’s Senior Director of Research and a co-author of the paper, said the study deepens our understanding of the impact of the transatlantic slave trade.
“Our study advances the understanding of the consequences of this period by comparing genetic connections between Africa and the Americas with historical records,” Mountain said. “While historical records previously revealed a large part of the story of the transatlantic slave trade, this study yielded insights into historical processes that may have been only conjectured prior to this study.”
But the research also reveals the deep connections to Africa across all the Americas. 

For Uzodinma Iweala a medical doctor and CEO of The Africa Center, who read an early draft of the paper, it’s that aspect of the paper that resonated the most.&nbsp;
Dr. Iweala, who is Igbo and the child of Nigerian immigrants, said in traveling throughout the United States, the Caribbean and South America he has always been inspired by the long-standing connections between people and the African continent and its Diaspora that show the triumph of personal and community resilience in a context of deliberate and sustained violence.&nbsp;
“It’s a sense of familiarity I and my family have felt in places as different and spread out as St. Simons Island in Georgia, or the streets of Jamaica, or in Bahia, Brazil,” he said. “It sometimes feels like walking the streets of the village where my family is from in Nigeria and that makes me feel safe and welcome.”
The study would not have been possible without the contributions of data by tens of thousands of 23andMe customers who consented to participate in research.

23andMe Paper on Transatlantic Slave Trade Published

For Ann, a college genetics professor in Pennsylvania, her interest in 23andMe started over ten years ago with scientific curiosity, but it quickly evolved into something more profound.
<div id="attachment_28335" style="width: 310px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-28335" class="wp-image-28335 size-medium" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Ann.yezerski-and-Mom-300x215.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="215" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Ann.yezerski-and-Mom-300x215.jpeg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Ann.yezerski-and-Mom-768x549.jpeg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Ann.yezerski-and-Mom-880x629.jpeg 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Ann.yezerski-and-Mom.jpeg 895w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />Ann on the right and her mom.</div>
First, Ann dug into information about her health, learning about conditions for which she had increased genetic risk of developing. Then she used 23andMe to discover more about her ancestry and her family&#8217;s Irish, Polish, Italian, and German ancestry. Most recently came something even more unexpected — Ann used 23andMe to help her find her elderly mother&#8217;s long-lost sister. This, in turn, enabled her to bring the two sisters together for the first time.

It happened last year on her mother&#8217;s 76th birthday. They&#8217;d just had a celebration, and Ann came home and happened to open an email from 23andMe about a new DNA Relative. She was stunned.
&#8220;I called my mom and said, &#8216;I have one more gift for you,'&#8221; Ann said. &#8220;I found your sister.&#8221;
Ann and her mother learned of the sister after extensive genealogical research, eventually creating a family tree with more than 7,000 relatives.
&#8220;It was so exciting to match 23andMe DNA (Relative) results with the relationships on our tree,&#8221; Ann said.
She also used 23andMe me to help some of her distant relatives find biological parents.
But they also discovered more about Ann&#8217;s mother&#8217;s father. He had a child with another woman before he got married to Ann&#8217;s grandmother. Ann thought they&#8217;d never find her mother&#8217;s sister and had exhausted the historical resources. They assumed her sister, who would be over 80 years old, might have already passed away.
&#8220;We figured the window of finding her alive was closed,&#8221; Ann said.
But using her 23andMe results helped them track her down.
&#8220;We were very lucky to find her and all of our new family,&#8221; she said.
As miraculous and wonderous as this was, the connection was just another deeper layer to DNA discoveries Ann has been making over the years. Whether it&#8217;s learning that her twin boys are identical and not fraternal twins, or using her 23andMe results to inspire her college students, or digging into her raw data, Ann said she&#8217;s endlessly excited by genetics.
&#8220;I really appreciated the information I&#8217;ve received,&#8221; she said.
23andMe has helped feed her interest in the science, she said. She&#8217;s curious about the function of different genes, and their role in human traits and the risk of disease. Her academic work has focused on dyslexia, but her twin sons have also primed her interest. For example, she&#8217;s eager to learn more about &#8220;half identical twins,&#8221; also known as<a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/health-47371431"> &#8220;semi-identical twins.&#8221;</a> Ann wants 23andMe to study this very, very rare phenomenon to see if our massive data set may identify more cases.
More than anything else, Ann said 23andMe has helped feed her insatiable interest in learning more about herself, her family, and the world of genetics.
&#8220;I think I&#8217;ve used about every angle you can use on 23andMe,&#8221; said Ann.
Here&#8217;s to her finding even more.

A Gift of Knowledge

Led by researchers in Australia, an international team of scientists uncovered <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosgenetics/article?id=10.1371/journal.pgen.1008725">new genetic associations</a> for allergies, asthma, and eczema by studying how soon in life individuals developed those conditions.<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Dandelion-Allergies-300x200.jpg" alt="" class="alignright wp-image-26256 size-medium" width="300" height="200" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Dandelion-Allergies-300x200.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Dandelion-Allergies-768x512.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Dandelion-Allergies-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Dandelion-Allergies-880x587.jpg 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Dandelion-Allergies-1180x787.jpg 1180w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Dandelion-Allergies.jpg 1254w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />
 
The researchers identified 76 genetic variants associated with these sorts of allergic diseases in or near 18 different genes. They found that about 50 of the variants are associated with both a higher risk for developing allergic diseases and developing one of these conditions at a very early age.
<h6>Genetic Burden </h6>
The significance of the finding is that it can help determine the overall “genetic burden” for developing allergies, or asthma or eczema, according to the co-lead author of the study Manuel Ferreira, Ph.D., a specialist in the genetics of asthma formerly at the<a href="https://www.qimrberghofer.edu.au/"> QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute</a> in Brisbane, Australia.

In this <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosgenetics/article?id=10.1371/journal.pgen.1008725">study</a>, the findings indicate that people with the highest genetic risk are likely developing one of these conditions earliest in life. Those with the lowest genetic risk may never develop symptoms. Using this insight also helped researchers identify new genetic associations for these conditions.
 
While genetics plays an important role, environmental factors also influence the risk of developing an allergic condition. But the findings will help researchers better understand why and how allergic disease develops in some individuals and not others, as well as understand the genetic influences.
<h6>Overlapping Risk</h6>
Ferreira, now at Regeneron, previously worked on a study that found<a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/ng.3985"> overlapping genetic risk</a> factors for allergic diseases, such as asthma and hay fever, which used data from 23andMe. 
 
For this study, the researchers used data from the dozens of previously published genome-wide association studies for allergic disease — some of which included data from 23andMe, as well as the UK Biobank and others.

You can read the full study in <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosgenetics/article?id=10.1371/journal.pgen.1008725">PLOS Genetics.</a>

Researchers Identify New Genetic Associations for Allergies, Asthma and Eczema

Hoping to improve representation in national news coverage, 23andMe joined with seven other companies as a Founding Partner to assist in the launch of iHeartMedia’s BIN: <a href="https://www.iheartmedia.com/press/bin-black-information-network-launches-today-first-its-kind-247-national-and-local-all-news">Black Information Network</a>.<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/image001.jpg" alt="" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-28329" width="300" height="292" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/image001.jpg 319w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/image001-300x292.jpg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />
 
The new 24 hour-a-day national and local news audio service will be dedicated to offering objective, accurate, and trusted news that highlights the voice and perspective of Black communities across the country. Launched this week, the service is distributed nationally through the iHeartRadio digital service; locally via dedicated all-news AM/FM broadcast radio stations in 15 markets, with additional markets to be added in the next 60 days; and BIN will also provide the news service for iHeartMedia’s 91 Hip Hop, R&amp;B, and Gospel music stations nationally.
 
23andMe joined as a Founding Partner with seven other companies including Bank of America, CVS Health, GEICO, Lowe’s, McDonald’s, Sony, and Verizon, to help launch the new network.  
 
“23andMe is honored to be part of this important iHeart initiative, giving the Black community a strong, informed voice and providing those outside the community with a deeper understanding of our societal issues,” said Anne Wojcicki, CEO, and Co-Founder of 23andMe. “This is the first step in a long journey to continually hold ourselves accountable and be part of changing the future.”  
 
In<a href="https://www.23andme.com/black-lives-matter"> an open letter</a> in early June, Anne said that as a leader she felt a deeper responsibility to make meaningful changes to improve inclusion and equity not just within the company and its product, but within society. Adding that she was holding both herself and the company accountable to make impactful changes. This is just one of many endeavors the company is becoming involved with to follow through with that commitment.
 
Under the leadership of Tony Coles, BIN will leverage the resources, assets, and financial support of iHeartMedia with the goal of filling a void in coverage by and for the Black community. Coles has more than 35 years’ experience in the radio industry, from on-air to programming and management, with a strong record of success and team-building. Coles currently serves as Executive Vice President of Programming for iHeartMedia’s West Region. 
 
“BIN: Black Information Network will fill a void by providing continual news and objective information with full focus on the Black community,” said Coles. “We began developing our 24/7 Black news source last year, and events of the last few weeks, especially the senseless and tragic death of George Floyd, highlighted the need for this network. Now is the time for our voice to be heard, and I could not be more proud of our work and the team we are assembling at BIN.”
 
A recent study by iHeartMedia of Black listeners found that 86 percent believe a service like BIN is necessary and are likely to use it as an important news source, and 83 percent think BIN could offer a key service and important information they can’t get on radio or TV today. 
 
“As a brand, we are in a unique time and position to make sure our marketing is doing more than just selling our product, but that it’s focused on values,” said Tracy Keim, Vice President of Consumer Marketing &amp; Brand at 23andMe. “We have the opportunity to create content that can better humanity. iHeart’s Black Information Network is the first of its kind to take a stand on creating a trusted news source to address the importance of building toward lasting change.”
&nbsp;
The business will be enabled and supported by the full resources of iHeartMedia. In addition, Clear Channel Outdoor Americas (CCOA) will also be a local marketing partner.
&nbsp;
To find out more about BIN programming, visit <a href="https://www.binnews.com/">BINNews.com</a>.

23andMe Becomes a Founding Partner For First and Only 24/7 All-News Audio Service Dedicated To The Black Community

By Jey McCreight Ph.D., Science Communication Senior Program Manager at 23andMe



<figure class="wp-block-image alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="300" height="157" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Pride-Post-3-blog-300x157.png" alt="" class="wp-image-28324" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Pride-Post-3-blog-300x157.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Pride-Post-3-blog-1024x536.png 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Pride-Post-3-blog-768x402.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Pride-Post-3-blog-880x461.png 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Pride-Post-3-blog-1180x618.png 1180w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></figure>



Pride month is a time to celebrate the love that’s in all our DNA, regardless of someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity. But even though we are all 99.5 percent genetically identical, we still aren’t treated 100 percent equally.



Here at 23andMe, we’re constantly thinking about how we can make our product, research, and workplace more equitable for everyone, including the LGBTQ+ community.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-in-product">In Product</h2>



First, our Product team is actively looking into how we can improve the experience for transgender and non-binary customers. For example, the team is working to separate the concepts of biological sex from gender identity. This will not only be more scientifically accurate but will also provide a better experience for our transgender and non-binary customers.



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



A person’s biological sex is usually classified at birth based on their external genitalia. However, a person’s sex is not just determined by their external anatomy. It is also determined by chromosomes, hormones, internal reproductive organs, and secondary sex characteristics.



Many people think that sex is binary, but it is often not that simple. At least one in 1,500 births are intersex, meaning that a person’s anatomy and/or their chromosomes can&#8217;t be classified as typically male or female.<a id="f1" href="#a1">[1]</a> This is a conservative estimate, as many people do not realize they are intersex until later in life. Some never find out. How society defines “male,” “female,” and “intersex” is heavily driven by culture and social norms of the day, and not simply by biological traits.



Even chromosomal sex is not binary. While most women have two X chromosomes and most men have an X and a Y, this is not always the case. People can have a single X chromosome, three X chromosomes, two Xs and one Y, and a whole suite of other possibilities.<a id="f2" href="#a2">[2]</a> Some women are XY but have a broken or deleted copy of the SRY gene, which is key for developing into a male. Likewise, some men are XX but have a translocated copy of SRY, which induces male development.



Because some of our reports involve the X and Y chromosomes, we need to know a customer’s chromosomal sex. However, sex is not the same as gender.



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



Gender identity is “a person’s internal, deeply held sense of their gender.”<a id="f3" href="#a3">[3]</a> Many people have a gender identity that matches their biological sex, while transgender people do not. Additionally, some people have a non-binary gender identity that doesn’t fit a neat male-female category (e.g. genderfluid, androgyne, agender, culture-specific “third genders,” etc).



Some people assume that trans and non-binary gender identities are something new, but they are actually a natural part of human diversity. There are historical records documenting the existence of trans and non-binary people as far back as four thousand years ago, and those records continue throughout history and across cultures.



Scientific research on gender identity has a long history as well. In the early 1900s, the Institut für Sexualwissenschaft in Berlin was one of the first places to research gender and perform pioneering gender affirmation surgeries. However, Nazi soldiers burnt down the institute and set back research for decades.<a id="f4" href="#a4">[4]</a>



Despite this setback, modern research continues to support the existence of transgender identities through neuroanatomical<a id="f5" href="#a5">[5]</a> and genetic<a id="f6" href="#a6">[6]</a> studies. Trans people do not need their existence legitimized by science, but for some, it can be affirming to know that gender identity is not “just a choice” but is rather a complex trait governed by a number of genetics and non-genetic factors, just like height.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-does-it-matter">Why does it matter?</h2>



Transgender people face daily threats to their wellbeing, so much so that the <a href="https://www.ama-assn.org/press-center/press-releases/ama-adopts-new-policies-first-day-voting-2019-annual-meeting">American Medical Association</a> deemed the situation “an epidemic of violence against the transgender community.” We want to do our part in making sure our trans and non-binary customers have a safe and inclusive experience, whether it is being able to use their correct pronouns or being sure that they will not be accidentally outed or deadnamed (called their pre-transition name rather than their chosen name).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-in-research">In Research</h2>



<a href="https://blog.23andme.com/23andme-research/sexual-behavior-not-meaningfully-predicted-by-genetics-new-study-finds/">Last year</a> we contributed to a genome-wide association study that identified a number of variants associated with same-sex sexual behavior. We recognized that this study had some limitations, so we sought out ways to ensure future studies were even more robust.



We have since been working to improve our gender and sexuality survey through user testing with the LGBTQ+ community. This feedback has helped us refine our survey to be both sensitively worded, as well as scientifically robust.



One improvement that resulted from this feedback was an update to the question “About how old were you when you became aware of your current gender identity?” We added “About” after several participants noted that this is a gradual process for most people, but that they had no problem providing an estimated age if prompted.



We have also added additional questions in order to separately assess attraction vs. behavior, as well as to better capture bisexual and pansexual orientations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-in-our-workplace">In Our Workplace</h2>



Finally, we want to make sure that 23andMe is an amazing place to work for LGBTQ+ employees. Same-sex partners are eligible for health care coverage and benefits, and all parents receive 16 weeks of Paid Parental Leave regardless of gender. Our health insurance plans also cover medical transitioning, including hormone replacement therapy and gender reassignment surgery.



Additionally, every year our LGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group hosts a company-wide Pride event to celebrate our employees and to educate allies. Employees also frequently volunteer to share their experiences with younger LGBTQ+ scientists at external events like Out in STEM panels and the Lesbians Who Tech Summit.



Equity and justice will only arrive through action. We hope that you’ll join us.



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



<footer class="footnotes"><code style="display: none;"> 
</code><code style="display: none;"> </code> <a id="f1" href="#a1">[1]</a> &#8220;<a href="https://isna.org/faq/what_is_intersex/">What is Intersex?</a>&#8221; Intersex Society of North America.</footer>



<footer class="footnotes"><code style="display: none;"></code> <a id="f2" href="#a2">[2]</a>&#8220;<a href="https://www.genderinclusivebiology.com/newsletter/who-gender-and-genetics">Gender and Genetics</a>&#8221; World Health Organization.</footer>



<footer class="footnotes"><code style="display: none;"> </code> <a id="f3" href="#a3">[3]</a><a href="https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/lgbtq-definitions-gender-sexuality-terms">Gender National Glossary</a>, Refinery29</footer>



<footer class="footnotes"><code style="display: none;"> </code> <a id="f4" href="#a4">[4]</a>&#8220;<a href="https://www.teenvogue.com/story/lgbtq-institute-in-germany-was-burned-down-by-nazis">LGBT Institute in Germany was Burned Down by Nazis</a>,&#8221; by Lucy Diavolo Teen Vogue 9/20,2017.</footer>



<footer class="footnotes"><code style="display: none;"> </code> <a id="f5" href="#a5">[5]</a> Baudewijntje P.C. Kreukels &amp; Antonio Guillamon (2016) Neuroimaging studies in people with gender incongruence, International Review of Psychiatry, 28:1, 120-128, DOI: <a href="https://doi.org/10.3109/09540261.2015.1113163">10.3109/09540261.2015.1113163</a></footer>



<footer class="footnotes"><code style="display: none;"> </code> <a id="f6" href="#a6">[6]</a> Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University. &#8220;<a href="https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/02/200205084203.htm">Gene variants provide insight into brain, body incongruence in transgender</a>.&#8221;&nbsp; ScienceDaily, 5 February 2020.</footer>



<footer class="footnotes"><code style="display: none;"> 
</code></footer>



<footer class="footnotes"></footer>



<footer class="footnotes"></footer>

Celebrating Pride Month, a Spotlight on Sex and Gender

This week, 23andMe updated its G6PD Deficiency Genetic Health Risk Report.* The update includes testing for an additional variant linked to G6PD  deficiency, a condition that can lead to episodes of anemia.<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright wp-image-28317 size-medium" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/G6PD-Gene-300x185.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="185" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/G6PD-Gene-300x185.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/G6PD-Gene-768x473.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/G6PD-Gene-880x542.jpg 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/G6PD-Gene.jpg 887w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />
The update makes this report more comprehensive and relevant to more people.
<h2>The G6PD Report</h2>
Two of the most common variants linked to G6PD Deficiency are V68M and S188F. Until today, 23andMe reported on just one of those variants, V68M. That variant is most common in people of African descent. It is also found in people of African ancestry, including Hispanic or Latino descent. Now, 23andMe has added another common variant, S188F, making the report relevant for more people. The S188F variant is most common in people of Southern European, Kurdish, Jewish, Middle Eastern, Central Asian, and South Asian descent.

Together these two variants make 23andMe’s report more comprehensive. The update is also consistent with 23andMe’s mission to ensure people, all people, can access, understand, and benefit from the human genome. This report is another one of our efforts to improve diversity in our reports.<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright wp-image-28318 size-medium" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Updated-G6PD-Def-Report-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Updated-G6PD-Def-Report-300x200.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Updated-G6PD-Def-Report-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Updated-G6PD-Def-Report-768x512.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Updated-G6PD-Def-Report-880x586.jpg 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Updated-G6PD-Def-Report-1180x786.jpg 1180w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Updated-G6PD-Def-Report.jpg 1942w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />
The effort to update the report was informed, in part, by discussions with the <a href="https://g6pddf.org/">g6pd Deficiency Foundation</a>, which raises awareness of this little-known disease. The foundation encouraged 23andMe to expand the report&#8217;s scope by including this additional variant.
“This is a giant step for screening for G6PD deficiency and the timing is perfect,” said Keely Harris, President, and founder of the g6pd Deficiency Foundation.
<h2>The G6PD Protein</h2>
Harris said the foundation is currently working on a new awareness campaign.
The variants included in the report can reduce the levels or activity of an enzyme called glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, or <a href="https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/gene/G6PD">G6PD</a>. This protein helps protect red blood cells from damage. People with G6PD deficiency usually don’t have symptoms unless exposed to certain factors, such as certain medications, infections, or foods (like fava beans).
Specific triggers may vary from person to person, and many people with the condition do not experience symptoms. In a person with G6PD deficiency, a trigger can result in the destruction of red blood cells. If too many red blood cells are destroyed, this can sometimes — though not always — lead to episodes of anemia, which can be characterized by symptoms such as dark urine, fatigue, pale skin, shortness of breath, and more.
<h2>Worldwide Impact</h2>
The National Institutes of Health estimates that about 400 million people worldwide have the condition. It is most common in people from certain parts of Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean.
The G6PD gene is found on the X chromosome. Because it is inherited, males are more likely to have G6PD deficiency than females. About one in ten <a href="https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase-deficiency#statistics">African American males has G6PD deficiency</a>. Because these variants are so common among African Americans, it is not unusual for African American women to also have this condition.
23andMe’s test doesn’t diagnose<a href="https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase-deficiency"> G6PD deficiency</a>. Instead, it detects two common variants linked to G6PD deficiency. 23andMe’s updated G6PD Deficiency Genetic Health Risk report* is one of more than 10 Health Predisposition reports offered to new and existing <a href="https://www.23andme.com/dna-health-ancestry?mkbanner=true">Health + Ancestry Service</a> customers. These include reports that meet FDA requirements for Genetic Health Risks and reports powered by 23andMe research.
<h2>Note:</h2>
*The 23andMe PGS 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.  The G6PD genetic health risk report is indicated for reporting of the V68M and S188F variants in the G6PD gene and describes if a person has one or more variants linked to G6PD deficiency and an increased risk for episodes of anemia. The variants included in this report are most studied in people of African, Southern European, Kurdish Jewish, Middle Eastern, Central Asian, and South Asian descent.

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