Juan Fernandez had made many presentations about his Dominican heritage and the island’s Native Taíno population. But he’d never been caught off-guard by such a simple and direct question before:
&nbsp;
“Do you actually have any Taíno ancestry?”
&nbsp;
Thus launched a journey of discovery for Juan — to find out about his ancestors and, in turn, his own identity.

<div id="attachment_27355" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-27355" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Juan-1024x630.jpg" alt="" class="size-large wp-image-27355" width="1024" height="630" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Juan-1024x630.jpg 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Juan-300x185.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Juan-768x473.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Juan-880x542.jpg 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Juan-1180x726.jpg 1180w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Juan.jpg 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />Juan Fernandez during one of his presentations.</div>
Starting with newly released genetic research (see Sidebar), Juan found that Taíno DNA is, indeed, found throughout people of Caribbean descent. And then, after purchasing a kit from 23andMe, Juan awaited the moment of truth — was the Taíno story also his own?
&nbsp;
A few weeks later, he opened the results on his computer screen. Sure enough, Juan had 10 percent Native American ancestry — and the answer to the question that had launched his journey.
<h6>Why Ancestry Matters</h6>
<div style="float: right; text-align: justified; width: 300px; background-color: #eee; padding: 15px; margin-left: 10px;">An Ancient Connection
Native Caribbean ancestry, primarily  Taíno, is still found among Puerto Ricans, Cubans, and Dominicans.
 
Researchers showed this definitively in 2018 by extracting DNA and sequencing the<a href="https://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/ancient-genome-study-identifies-traces-of-indigenous-taino-in-present-day-caribbean-populations"> first ancient human genome from the Caribbean.</a> This offered clear genetic evidence linking the ancient Taíno people to those with Caribbean ancestry living today.
 
On average, Puerto Ricans have around 12 percent of this Taíno ancestry. But over 60 percent of their <a href="https://you.23andme.com/reports/maternal_haplogroup/">maternal-line</a> ancestry<a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28912065"> is of Taíno origin</a>.
 
Interestingly, evidence of Taino ancestry is almost completely absent from the islands formerly controlled by Britain and France, such as Jamaica and Haiti.
</div>
While the Ancestry Composition statistic pleased Juan, the exact figure was less important than the two generational forces it represented:
&nbsp;
First, it meant that the Taíno legacy had survived. This despite being declared extinct by Spanish colonists at the end of the 16th century. Neither enslavement nor disease had fully extinguished a population that once numbered in the hundreds of thousands across the Caribbean.
&nbsp;
And second, the discovery represented a bridge from Juan’s past to his future. A father of three, he had noticed an “invisible barrier” starting to form between his kids and their Dominican heritage. So the chance to share the full richness and complexity of their ancestry was a chance to break through this intergenerational blockade.
<h6>What’s Next</h6>
Empowered by his new genetic insight, Juan plans to share the story of the Taíno with even more people — including at the Cultural Commission of the Dominican Republic in New York. 
“This story doesn’t belong to me,” said Juan. “It belongs to the 1.1 million Dominicans in the US.”
&nbsp;
As for himself, Juan feels that his 23andMe experience “gave me the critical meaning to my search for identity. Being part of any diaspora leaves you in a cultural limbo; a foreigner in your country and a foreigner in the motherland. Now I know where I belong.”
&nbsp;
Want to make your own ancestry discovery? Check out your <a href="https://you.23andme.com/reports/ancestry_composition_hd/">Ancestry Composition</a> &#8211; including the newly released <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/ancestry/23andme-improves-reports-for-caribbean-and-latin-american-customers/">Recent Ancestry in the Americas feature</a> for people with Caribbean and Latin American heritage. Or if you’re new to 23andMe, <a href="https://www.23andme.com/?myg02=true">purchase a kit</a> to start your own journey.

23andMe Blog

23andMe Blog Team

Now I Know Where I Belong

By Rafaela Bagur Quetglas, PhD



<figure class="wp-block-image alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="350" height="257" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/foodchoicesna.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-10396" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/foodchoicesna.jpg 350w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/foodchoicesna-300x220.jpg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px" /></figure>



You are what you eat, is the old adage, but what does your diet actually say about you? 



23andMe has a unique opportunity to explore that question, as we investigate how dietary habits, along with genetics, demographics, lifestyle and other data can influence overall health outcomes.







Looking at diet specifically, our scientists analyzed the data of more than 850,000 people who consented to participate in research and who shared details about their own eating habits.&nbsp;



Using machine learning techniques* we were able to see that dietary choices clustered into four distinct types of eaters, which were mainly characterized by two dietary behaviors. The first one represents the spectrum of foods’ nutrient content from high nutrient-dense foods (i.e. low caloric foods with high nutrient content like vegetables, leafy greens, fruit, beans or whole-grains) to low nutrient-dense foods (i.e. high caloric foods with low nutrient content like. processed foods, sweets, sodas, pastries, saturated fats or&nbsp; fast food). The second main behavior differentiating diet groups is the meat intake, in particular, red and processed meat (e.g., sausages, hot dogs, ham, or cured bacon).&nbsp;&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dietary-types">Dietary Types</h2>



Using these two behaviors as axes, we can plot the four main diet groups:&nbsp;



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>On one end, we find people who eat high-nutrient-dense (HND) foods like vegetables, leafy greens, and fruits and tend to avoid high-calorie foods with low nutrient content like refined carbs, processed foods, saturated fats, and fast food. Depending on their meat intake, these people can be classified as HND + Carnivores (high meat intake) or Herbivores (low meat intake). Importantly, not all Herbivores are vegetarian or vegan; they just eat less meat than the other diet groups. </li>



<li>Conversely, people with a diet low in vegetables, leafy greens, and fruits also tend to eat more high-calorie foods with low nutrient content and low nutrient-dense foods (LND). This group also tends to eat more meat, particularly processed and red meat (LND + Carnivores). Curiously, in this study we couldn’t find a group of people with a diet rich in low nutrient-dense foods that have a low meat intake (group absent in the lower-right corner of Figure 1). </li>



<li>Finally, the people in the middle were called Omnivores because they ate a little of everything.</li>
</ul>



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large wp-image-27333"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="310" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Dietary-Types-1024x310.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-27333" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Dietary-Types-1024x310.jpg 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Dietary-Types-300x91.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Dietary-Types-768x233.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Dietary-Types-880x267.jpg 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Dietary-Types-1180x358.jpg 1180w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Dietary-Types.jpg 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Figure 1. Left graph represents the four defined diets projected in the two main behaviors axis (nutrient content of foods and meat intake). Right panel describes the nutritional differences between these diets, the dots represent the average response to the survey question: “How frequently do you eat this food?” Possible responses were: “not at all” (all dots empty), “1-2 times per week” (one filled dot), “3-6 times per week” (two filled dots), “once per day” (three filled dots) or “more than once a day” (all dots filled).</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-men-versus-women">Men versus Women</h2>



After defining these dietary clusters, we looked to see if there were any noticeable demographic differences between these groups, and there were. We found that women tend to group in the Herbivore or HND + Carnivore groups. Fewer women — only about 20 percent in our study — were in the LND + Carnivore group. In contrast, about 30 percent of men were in that group. Women also tended to eat more fruits and vegetables and avoid meat more than men. About one in four women, versus one in six men, were classified in the Herbivore group. (Figure 2)



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large wp-image-27334"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="316" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Gender-and-Diet-1024x316.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-27334" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Gender-and-Diet-1024x316.jpg 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Gender-and-Diet-300x92.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Gender-and-Diet-768x237.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Gender-and-Diet-880x271.jpg 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Gender-and-Diet-1180x364.jpg 1180w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Gender-and-Diet.jpg 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Figure 2. Percent of users belonging to each diet class depending on their gender.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-younger-versus-older">Younger versus Older</h2>



As with gender, if we look at age we also can see differences within each of the dietary classifications. In this study, younger people appeared to eat fewer fruits and vegetables and more high-calorie foods with low nutrient content. We found that about 40 percent of adults under 30 belong to LND + Carnivore category, and only about 10 percent of this age group were in the Herbivore category. The reverse is true for individuals over 60, with people in that age group more likely to eat fruits and vegetables and less likely to eat refined carbs or fast food. This is not surprising since our diets change over time — think about the difference between the typical diet of a college freshman versus the typical diet of a senior citizen. 



Interestingly, when we look at Omnivores, their numbers don’t seem to change as they age. Is a part of the population resilient to changing their nutritional habits as they age? We can&#8217;t say for sure without further study (Figure 3).



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter wp-image-27341 size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="317" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Figure-3-1-1024x317.png" alt="" class="wp-image-27341" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Figure-3-1-1024x317.png 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Figure-3-1-300x93.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Figure-3-1-768x238.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Figure-3-1-880x273.png 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Figure-3-1-1180x366.png 1180w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Figure-3-1.png 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Figure 3. Percent of users belonging to each diet class depending on their age. Users were divided into four different age bins: under 30 (&lt;30), between 30 and 45 (30-45), between 45 and 60 (45-60) and older than 60 (>60).</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bmi-by-dietary-groups">BMI by Dietary Groups</h2>



We also wanted to examine how these different dietary categories might impact weight, specifically BMI. We found that individuals who ate more fruits and vegetables — Herbivores — were more likely to have a BMI in the healthy range — between 18.5 and 24.9 as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Figure 4). However, without exercise, those individuals in the Herbivore group were still likely to be overweight. That said, looking at our data it may be even more difficult to maintain a healthy BMI if your diet is in one of the other three dietary categories HND + Carnivore, Omnivore and LND + Carnivore.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large wp-image-27336"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="369" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Age-and-Exercise-1024x369.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-27336" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Age-and-Exercise-1024x369.jpg 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Age-and-Exercise-300x108.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Age-and-Exercise-768x277.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Age-and-Exercise-880x317.jpg 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Age-and-Exercise-1180x426.jpg 1180w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Age-and-Exercise.jpg 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Figure 4. Description of the relationship between the average body mass index (BMI) of each diet class and the users’ age (left panel) and the number of times that they exercise per week for at least 30 min (right panel).</figcaption></figure>



A surprising finding was that the difference in average BMI between the LND + Carnivore group and the Herbivore group is higher in women than in men. This raises the question: Is a woman’s weight more sensitive to eating high-calorie foods?



&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bmi-by-gender">BMI by Gender</h2>



The differences between women and men in this study could be explained by many reasons. It’s important to highlight that BMI is a measure of weight adjusted for height, but it doesn’t consider body composition. The difference in BMI between men and women could be partially explained by the differences in fat storage observed in men and women [3]. On average, women have 6 to 11 percent more body fat than men. Studies show that estrogen reduces a woman&#8217;s ability to burn energy after eating, resulting in more fat being stored around the body. Experts in this field speculate that the likely reason for the differences in fat storage is to prime women for childbearing [3]. One could speculate that since gender-specific differences in fat storage exist, we might expect a fat-rich diet to impact women’s and men’s BMI differently.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter wp-image-27342 size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="700" height="361" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/New-image-5.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-27342" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/New-image-5.jpg 700w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/New-image-5-300x155.jpg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Figure 5. Difference in BMI between users (divided by their gender) belonging to the LND+Carnivore group compared to that belonging to the Herbivore group.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eating-behavior">Eating Behavior</h2>



This study has shed some light on the eating behaviors of the 23andMe community and how they vary by age and gender. More importantly, we have shown that diet plays a significant role in maintaining a healthy weight, which is really important for your health: The higher your BMI, the higher your risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers [1], [2]. However, what you eat is not enough to define your weight since our data showed that even people in the Herbivore group need to exercise at least five times a week to have a healthy weight. In a future blog post, we will look further into the differences in activity in the 23andMe research community broken down by age, sex, and diet behaviors.



Rafaela Bagur Quetglas is a Data Scientist in Health Research and Development at 23andMe.



____________________________________



*Two machine learning techniques were used in this study. The first method, k-means clustering, was used to place people with similar diet behavior into k distinct groups; in this case, k is four. The second method, principal component analysis, identifies which dietary details set those four groups apart.



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



[1] Donald&nbsp; M. Lyall et al., (2017) Association of Body Mass Index With Cardiometabolic Disease in the UK Biobank: A Mendelian Randomization Study. JAMA Cardiol. 10.1001/jamacardio.2016.5804



[2] Bhaskaran K. et al., (2014) Body-mass index and risk of 22 specific cancers: a population-based cohort study of 5·24 million UK adults. Lancet. 10.1016/S0140-6736(14)60892-8



[3] Betty N. Wu and Anthony J. O&#8217;Sullivan (2011) Sex Differences in Energy Metabolism Need to Be Considered with Lifestyle Modifications in Humans. J Nutr Metab. 10.1155/2011/391809



&nbsp;

Rafaela Bagur Quetglas

23andMe Explores Dietary Habit and Health Outcomes

&nbsp;
By Eloycsia Ratliff, MPH, 23andMe Medical Education Project Manager
&nbsp;
Editor’s note: This is the first post in an occasional series explaining our Medical Education program.&nbsp;
It is no secret that the evolving field of genomic medicine is changing at a rate that is surpassing healthcare professionals’ (HCPs) ability to keep up. Along with that, the growing popularity of direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic testing, means that more and more conversations between patients and their healthcare provider revolve around genetics. These twin forces are creating a need for more medical education.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Doctor-236x300.jpg" alt="" class="alignright wp-image-27331 size-medium" width="236" height="300" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Doctor-236x300.jpg 236w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Doctor-768x975.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Doctor-693x880.jpg 693w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Doctor.jpg 788w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 236px) 100vw, 236px" />
At 23andMe, we believe knowledge about genetics — both among consumers and HCPs — has the potential to improve health outcomes. Our Medical Education program supports HCPs who want to incorporate DTC genetic testing into patient care. By learning more about our service, HCPs will be more prepared to have meaningful conversations with their patients who want to discuss 23andMe reports.
&nbsp;
This offers an opportunity to prepare for the wave of consumer interest in genetic testing for health information. It is estimated that over <a href="https://www.technologyreview.com/s/612880/more-than-26-million-people-have-taken-an-at-home-ancestry-test/">26 million people </a>have taken a DTC genetic test. A desire to learn more about their health is one of the leading motivations for genetic testing. Studies show about 30 percent of individuals who have tested share their information with their healthcare providers.

<h6>What does Medical Education Look Like at 23andMe?</h6>
23andMe has a Healthcare Professionals website, <a href="https://medical.23andme.com/">medical.23andme.com</a>, with educational resources for HCPs so they can understand the consumer experience. Among those resources are samples of all of our 125+ reports, <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Med-Ed-300x294.jpg" alt="" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-27325" width="300" height="294" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Med-Ed-300x294.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Med-Ed.jpg 761w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />including our Health Predisposition, Carrier Status, Wellness, <a href="https://www.23andme.com/dna-ancestry/">Traits and Ancestry</a> report categories*. In addition, multiple sample reports representing various outcomes for many of our health reports are provided. The site also has information on the scientific process behind our FDA-authorized Genetic Health Risk and Carrier Status reports.*&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Other resources on our website include on-demand <a href="https://medical.23andme.com/resources/#webinars">webinars</a>, educational blogs, and information about continuing medical education (CME) credit opportunities. There is an events calendar where HCPs can find information on upcoming medical conferences we are attending and educational programs we are sponsoring. Through our education initiatives, we hope as patients come in to discuss results from their 23andMe health report, HCPs will either be prepared to immediately address their concerns or know exactly where to find informative physician-friendly resources — adding more value both to the reports and the overall visit.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
<h6>Who Are We?</h6>
<div id="attachment_27327" style="width: 260px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-27327" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/23andMe-24-Version-2-250x250.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-27327 size-full" width="250" height="250" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/23andMe-24-Version-2-250x250.jpg 250w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/23andMe-24-Version-2-250x250-150x150.jpg 150w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 250px) 100vw, 250px" />Anne Greb, MS, CGC</div>
23andMe’s Medical Education program is led by Anne Greb, MS, CGC, a board-certified genetic counselor with over 25 years of experience in genetic counseling program leadership, medical education and administration. Anne is responsible for leading and developing educational initiatives that equip healthcare professionals to better integrate personalized genetic information into the everyday care of their patients.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Medical Education project manager, Eloycsia Ratliff, MPH, is a healthcare professional with over eight years of experience working in health education, epidemiology and research, and project management at both the local and state levels. Eloycsia serves as a health education expert and lead on managing projects that elevate 23andMe in the clinical environment.
<div id="attachment_27328" style="width: 260px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-27328" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/23andMe-8-Version-2-250x250.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-27328 size-full" width="250" height="250" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/23andMe-8-Version-2-250x250.jpg 250w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/23andMe-8-Version-2-250x250-150x150.jpg 150w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 250px) 100vw, 250px" />Eloycsia Ratliff, MPH</div>
&nbsp;
The <a href="https://medical.23andme.com/medical-team/">Medical Education team</a> is part of a larger Medical team at 23andMe including, Medical Affairs, Medical Outreach, and Advocacy.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
<h6>23andMe Healthcare Community</h6>
&nbsp;
If you are a healthcare professional and interested in learning more about 23andMe’s Medical Education Program, join our healthcare community. We have a community of over 20,000 healthcare professionals ranging from genetic counselors; physicians of all specialties;&nbsp; scientists; to researchers and educators. Our community has access to timely and targeted educational resources linked to specific reports, which has been useful in helping HCPs understand and interpret our reports. In addition, our healthcare community receives regular updates on the latest 23andMe features and information about upcoming educational programs and engagement opportunities. We want our HCP community to be at the forefront of information so they are better prepared for their patients’ questions.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
23andMe recognizes that enhanced awareness and knowledge of genetics is beyond our service and more about the long-term value this information can have on patients’ lives.
&nbsp;
For more information on how to join, visit our Healthcare Professionals’ website <a href="https://medical.23andme.com/">https://medical.23andme.com/</a>.
&nbsp;
Stay tuned for our next blog post in August, where we will discuss common misconceptions HCPs have about 23andMe. Also, check out 23andMe’s new MUTYH-Associated Polyposis Genetic Health Risk report* released in June. You can find sample reports and on-demand report walk-throughs on our website.
&nbsp;
*The 23andMe PGS test includes health predisposition and carrier status reports. Health predisposition reports include both reports that meet US FDA requirements for genetic health risks and the 23andMe Type 2 Diabetes health predisposition report which is based on 23andMe research and has 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 and reporting carrier status. 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&nbsp; 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. Warnings &amp; Limitations: The MUTYH-Associated Polyposis Genetic Health Risk Report is indicated for reporting the Y179C and G396D variants in the MUTYH gene and an increased risk for colorectal cancer.&nbsp; The two variants included in this report are most common in people of Northern European descent. This report does not include variants in other genes linked to hereditary cancers and the absence of variants included in this report do not rule out the presence of other genetic variants that may impact cancer risk. The PGS test is not a substitute for visits to a healthcare professional for recommended screenings or appropriate follow-up. Results should be confirmed in a clinical setting before taking any medical action.&nbsp; For important information and limitations regarding other genetic health risk reports and carrier status reports, visit <a href="https://www.23andme.com/test-info/">https://www.23andme.com/test-info</a>.&nbsp;
&nbsp;

Eloycsia Ratliff

Medical Education at 23andMe

When they met for the first time, Tamara Miller and Leslie Wheeler were struck by their similarities. They both are Korean adoptees, and both share a cheerful disposition and closets full of colorful hats and clothes. They even carried nearly identical purses at that first meeting. 
<div id="attachment_27321" style="width: 235px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-27321" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/SBYT8-225x300.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-27321 size-medium" width="225" height="300" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/SBYT8-225x300.jpeg 225w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/SBYT8.jpeg 480w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px" />Leslie, left, and Tamara.</div>
&nbsp;
Though they were strangers, the two share the same birth mother. And beyond all the uncanny things they had in common, the sisters noticed a deeper connection right off: an immediate sense of sisterhood and love. 
&nbsp;
“You wouldn’t know that siblings could be so similar just through blood,” said Tamara. 
&nbsp;
She was stunned by all she had in common with her newfound sister, and yet “we couldn’t have been raised more differently or led more different lives,” she said.

<h6>Soldier Fathers</h6>
The sisters never met as children, and now, with children of their own, they’re making up for lost time and filling in the blanks in their family story. Their story is reminiscent of 23andMe stories from other Korean adoptees. 
<div id="attachment_27316" style="width: 299px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-27316" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/bQQZu-e1564598306146-289x300.jpeg" alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-27316" width="289" height="300" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/bQQZu-e1564598306146-289x300.jpeg 289w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/bQQZu-e1564598306146-768x798.jpeg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/bQQZu-e1564598306146-985x1024.jpeg 985w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/bQQZu-e1564598306146-846x880.jpeg 846w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/bQQZu-e1564598306146-1135x1180.jpeg 1135w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 289px) 100vw, 289px" />Tamara&#8217;s birth father, Harry Andrews, with her and Leslie&#8217;s birth mother.</div>
Both of their fathers had served in the Army in Korea. 
&nbsp;
Leslie was living with her grandmother when Tamara was born. Leslie’s father was white, while Tamara’s father was an African American GI. The family was poor and already struggling to make ends meet. Tamara was placed in an orphanage and adopted as an infant. Leslie’s adoption happened much later.
&nbsp;
“I had a hard life in Korea,” she said. “The country was poor and we were starving. It was a miracle if we ate two meals a day. Going to school was really hard. I just didn’t fit in with the Korean kids because I was so different looking. I was a little girl living in a country that wasn’t accepting of half-American kids.” 
&nbsp;
Leslie had lived with their mother and her American soldier father until the age of 2. When he returned to America, saying he’d come back for them. Then she lived with her mother and relatives until her mother passed away. Leslie was adopted by an American family at the age of 13.
&nbsp;
<h6>A Short History of Adoptions from Korea</h6>
The sisters’ story is part of a wave of orphaned and mixed-race Korean children adopted after the Korean War by American families. Now well into adulthood, many of these adoptees have turned to DNA testing. They hope to learn more about their cultural roots, and in some cases connect with biological family.
<div id="attachment_27320" style="width: 310px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-27320" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/aGdiP-e1564598558120-300x293.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-27320 size-medium" width="300" height="293" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/aGdiP-e1564598558120-300x293.jpeg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/aGdiP-e1564598558120.jpeg 467w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />Tamara as an infant in Korea.</div>
&nbsp;
International adoptions didn’t really begin in the US until the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Displaced_Persons_Act_of_1948">Displaced Persons Act of 1948</a>, which allowed orphans from WWII admission to the US for permanent residence. But it wasn’t until 1955, and the <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=HDklDwAAQBAJ&#038;pg=PA7&#038;lpg=PA7&#038;dq=%22Relief+of+Certain+War+Orphans%22+korean+adoption&#038;source=bl&#038;ots=ocLy46VVbp&#038;sig=ACfU3U0eq2jwpXxoJ5Mq9Gicbzh7ZMhARA&#038;hl=en&#038;sa=X&#038;ved=2ahUKEwjQ99Ky163jAhUFOH0KHek0B5gQ6AEwCXoECAkQAQ#v=onepage&#038;q=%22Relief%20of%20Certain%20War%20Orphans%22%20korean%20adoption&#038;f=false">Bill for Relief of Certain War Orphans,</a> that large scale international adoptions — initially from Korea — to the US were possible. Today China is the main hub of international adoption. But for at least <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/1536504211427866">40 years</a> most international adoptions originated in Korea, with at least <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/1536504211427866">200,000</a> children adopted worldwide. That only lessened in the late 1980s after Korea began limiting the number of children who could be adopted out of the country.
<h6>Holt International</h6>
Early on in the United States, it was standard practice for many families to Americanize their adopted child as quickly as possible. That often meant cutting them off from their cultural roots. Thus many generations of adoptees were estranged from their cultural heritage and had very little if any information about their birth families.
<div id="attachment_27330" style="width: 231px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-27330" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Tamara-before-her-adoption-221x300.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-27330 size-medium" width="221" height="300" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Tamara-before-her-adoption-221x300.jpeg 221w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Tamara-before-her-adoption-648x880.jpeg 648w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Tamara-before-her-adoption.jpeg 747w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 221px) 100vw, 221px" />A photo of Leslie before her adoption.</div>
With the hindsight of more than half a century of adoptions from Korea, the groups that handled many of these adoptions now see the importance of these cultural and family connections, said Susan Soonkeum Cox, Vice President of Policy &amp; External Affairs at <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holt_International_Children%27s_Services">Holt International Children&#8217;s Services</a>, an adoption agency that helps American families adopt children from outside the United States, including Korea. The couple who originally started Holt, Harry and Bertha Holt, were also instrumental in passing the Bill for Relief of Certain War Orphans.
&nbsp;
“We (now) have the benefit of several generations of adoptees,” said Soonkeum Cox, a Korean adoptee herself. “We’ve come to be aware that a child’s history, where they’re from and their beginning. (It) is very much a part of who they are as they go throughout their lifetime.” 
<h6>Reconnecting with Korean Ancestry</h6>
That desire to connect has expanded the services Holt now offers. The agency assists with family reunification, “motherland tours” of Korea, and Korean culture education. In particular, Holt offers “heritage camps,” where adoptees can learn more about the Korean language, dance and cuisine and discuss issues of identity. Other organizations like <a href="https://meandkorea.org/">Me and Korea</a> also provide adoptees with opportunities to learn more about Korean culture, connect with fellow adoptees and travel to Korea as well. In addition, Holt and some other agencies <a href="https://www.holtinternational.org/pas/adoptee/korea-2-adoptees/search-for-birth-family/">assist</a> adoptees over the age of 18 with finding more paper records and other information about their birth and adoptions, sometimes even connecting them with biological family.
&nbsp;
But frequently because of the nature of some of these early adoptions or the lack of a clear paper record, DNA is the only option for learning more. As companies like 23andMe have grown, so too have the chances of adoptees <a href="https://www.23andme.com/dna-ancestry/">finding relatives</a>. The nonprofit <a href="https://www.325kamra.org/">325 Kamra even </a>distributes DNA kits to Koreans and Korean adoptees worldwide, to try to help Korean adoptees find family. And then there are Facebook groups like the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/471938126211984/">KAD 23andme Results Group</a>, where Korean adoptees can share their results, questions, and concerns. 
<h6>Other Korean Adoptee Stories</h6>
Embracing testing has resulted in a wave of stories like Tamara’s and Leslie’s.
<div id="attachment_26535" style="width: 310px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-26535" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/siblings-2-300x269.jpg" alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-26535" width="300" height="269" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/siblings-2-300x269.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/siblings-2.jpg 480w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />Justin and Renee.</div>
&nbsp;
Most recently a <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Family/women-adopted-South-Korea-learn-sisters/story?id=64367065">pair of sisters</a> adopted from Korea found each other through 23andMe, and learned they grew up just 30 minutes from each other in Michigan. 23andMe also helped reunite identical twins <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/23andme-customer-stories/23andme-reunites-identical-twins-separated-birth/">Amanda and Katey</a>. Born in Seoul, and adopted by different American families, the sisters, both in their 30s, connected for the first time after using 23andMe. 
Another pair of sibling adoptees from Korea, <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/23andme-customer-stories/siblings-reunite-using-23andme/">Justin and Renee</a>, were also well into adulthood before finding each other. Justin had been abandoned on the steps of a theater in Seoul, when he was a toddler. The next day, his sister Renee, who was 5 at the time, was left at a market. They reunited 30 years later on Justin’s 36th birthday. And testing has helped others simply clear up mysteries. For example, another pair of sisters adopted together from Korea, grew up not knowing for sure that they were related. 23andMe confirmed that they indeed were <a href="https://www.popsugar.com/family/What-Like-Being-Adopted-From-Korea-White-Family-45954580">biological sisters</a>.
<h6>Tamara and Leslie</h6>
Although they all share a connection to Korea, each story is unique. 
&nbsp;
For Leslie and Tamara, the story isn’t just about sisters connecting, but also about coming to terms with their mixed ancestry, and filling in the gaps of their family history. They were able to find each other because Leslie’s son, Noelin Wheeler, had tested and matched with Tamara on 23andMe. Leslie didn’t even know she had a sister until Noelin, a tattoo artist known for his appearance on SpikeTV’s show Ink Master, found Tamara.
<div id="attachment_27317" style="width: 241px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-27317" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Leslie-and-Noelin-e1564598669982-231x300.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-27317 size-medium" width="231" height="300" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Leslie-and-Noelin-e1564598669982-231x300.jpeg 231w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Leslie-and-Noelin-e1564598669982.jpeg 655w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 231px) 100vw, 231px" />Leslie and her son Noelin.</div>
&nbsp;
When Noelin texted his mom Tamara’s photo, she immediately knew they were related.
&nbsp;
“I looked at Tamara and felt like I was staring at my mother,” Leslie said.
&nbsp;
The two have been able to meet each others’ families and spend time with each other. They’ve become a part of each other’s lives, seeing each other a couple times a year and talking weekly. 
&nbsp;
“Leslie has given me a sense of identity,” said Tamara. “As an orphan you don’t always know why you are the way you are, why you think or react the way you do. Now I understand myself better.” 
&nbsp;
These last three years, in particular, have been especially life changing for Tamara. Not only did she find Leslie, last year she found five paternal siblings, all of whom ended up living close to her. She enjoys spending time with them regularly, as well.
&nbsp;
“Generations of people have been brought together as a result of these DNA tests, and all of our lives have been enriched,” said Tamara.

Seoul Sisters and Brothers

Neanderthals may be an ancient species, but their genetics continue to surprise us to this day.<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-23459" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Neanderthal-Image-247x300.jpg" alt="" width="247" height="300" />
For instance, new research published last month in <a href="https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/5/6/eaaw5873">Science Advances</a> shows that Neanderthal DNA has a longer, more consistent history than previously realized. By comparing the genetic material of two 120,000-year old Neanderthals with specimens from just 40,000 years ago, scientists identified surprising similarities that spanned the 80,000-year gap.
And that’s just one of the discoveries that have us endlessly fascinated!

Consider the following:<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-27256" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Neanderthal-Skull-300x177.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="177" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Neanderthal-Skull-300x177.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Neanderthal-Skull-768x454.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Neanderthal-Skull-1024x605.jpg 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Neanderthal-Skull-880x520.jpg 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Neanderthal-Skull-1180x697.jpg 1180w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Neanderthal-Skull.jpg 1202w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />
<h6>Our Common Ancestor</h6>
The story of modern humans and Neanderthals actually starts together since scientists believe we hail from a common ancestor, <a href="http://humanorigins.si.edu/evidence/human-fossils/species/homo-heidelbergensis">Homo heidelbergensis</a>. This species inhabited much of Africa, Europe and probably Asia from at least 700,000 years ago until about 200,000 years ago. And it was only at that point that the European branch of Homo heidelbergensis had evolved into a genetically distinct species — Homo neanderthalensis, also known as Neanderthals.
<h6>Not Just a Caveman</h6>
While popular culture depicts Neanderthals as primitive creatures, they were probably a lot like us. For instance, the <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/ancestry/a-neanderthal-renaissance/">earliest European art</a> — Spanish cave paintings of animals and geometric shapes — dates from more than 20,000 years before the first modern humans arrived in Europe. And Neanderthal remains found throughout Europe suggest <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/nature21674">diets that evolved</a> to match their surroundings. In what is now modern Spain they ate from pine nuts and moss, but mostly ate reindeer and mushrooms in the region of Europe that is now Belgium.
<h6>A Neanderthal Human reUnion</h6>
Our stories come together again about 60,000 years ago. That’s when modern
<div id="attachment_27253" style="width: 310px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-27253" class="size-medium wp-image-27253" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/manot_cave_view-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/manot_cave_view-300x199.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/manot_cave_view.jpg 527w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />Manot Cave</div>
humans, having evolved in Africa, start to explore beyond the continent. And skeletal remains found in the <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/nature14134">Manot Cave</a> in Israel and elsewhere suggest that modern humans and Neanderthals began to interbreed. Thus linking our genetics.
<h6>The Last Neanderthal</h6>
Neanderthals became extinct about 40,000 years ago. But the reason for their disappearance remains a mystery. Some researchers blame climate change or exposure to unfamiliar human diseases. Others point to a decline in fertility rates in Neanderthal communities. While there may be some truth to each of these hypotheses, the disappearance of Neanderthals may also have come down to pure numbers. If there were more humans than Neanderthals 40,000 years ago, the latter may have simply been absorbed into the former.<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-27255" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Neanderthal-Migration-300x270.png" alt="" width="300" height="270" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Neanderthal-Migration-300x270.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Neanderthal-Migration-768x691.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Neanderthal-Migration.png 874w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />
<h6>Neanderthals, Unearthed</h6>
The first Neanderthal remains were discovered in the Neander Valley in Germany in 1856. However, it wasn’t until 30 years later that scientists realized the skeleton wasn’t just a modern human with bone deformities but a whole new species. Since then, archeologists and others have discovered the bones of more than 400 Neanderthals from Wales to Israel to Uzbekistan.
<h6>Our Neanderthal Inheritance</h6>
As a result of interbreeding between Neanderthals and modern humans, over 40 percent of the Neanderthal genome lives on today in our gene pool. Non-African populations, in particular, carry that ancestry forward, sharing on average 1-2 percent of their DNA with Neanderthals. However, Sub-Saharan African populations have virtually no Neanderthal ancestry given that migratory paths of Neanderthals spanned from Europe to Western Asia.
<h6>Neanderthal Genes Today</h6>
While our Neanderthal heritage may be limited, it does have a handful of associations with our traits. For instance, Neanderthal genetic variants are associated with having straighter hair and with being less likely to sneeze after eating dark chocolate. And counter to the popular perception, Neanderthal variants are actually associated with having less<a href="https://www.23andme.com/topics/traits/back-hair/"> back hair</a>! Perhaps most intriguingly, some scientists believe that interbreeding with Neanderthals <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/news/the-lasting-legacy-of-neanderthals/">even provided modern humans with evolutionarily advantageous traits</a> as they migrated into Europe.
<h6>How Neanderthal Are You?</h6>
If you’re just as intrigued by Neanderthals as we are, start by digging into your <a href="https://you.23andme.com/reports/neanderthal/">own shared ancestry</a>.
You can explore your Neanderthal Report <a href="https://you.23andme.com/reports/neanderthal/">here</a>. And if you’re not yet a customer, you can find out more <a href="https://www.23andme.com/dna-ancestry/#toc-neanderthal">here</a>.

Why 23andMe Loves Neanderthals, And You Should Too

23andMe has added a new Genetic Health Risk report* that looks at two genetic variants in the MUTYH gene (Y179C and G396D) associated with a hereditary colorectal cancer syndrome, MUTYH-associated polyposis (MAP). These two variants are most common and best studied in people of Northern European descent. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-27213 size-full" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/WS-Blog.png" alt="" width="1200" height="628" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/WS-Blog.png 1200w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/WS-Blog-300x157.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/WS-Blog-768x402.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/WS-Blog-1024x536.png 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/WS-Blog-880x461.png 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/WS-Blog-1180x618.png 1180w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" />
<h2>Genetics, Environment, and Lifestyle</h2>
In January, 23andMe<a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/fda-colorectal-cancer/"> received FDA clearance</a> to offer this information directly to consumers, and our team has been finalizing the report since then.
There are many factors — diet, exercise, alcohol consumption, and smoking, for example — that can influence a person’s risk for colorectal cancer. In fact, most cases are not caused by inherited genetic variants.
However, individuals with two genetic variants or two copies of a genetic variant included in this new report tend to develop colon and rectal polyps, have an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer, and may have a slightly increased risk for certain other cancers. 
These two variants account for the majority — from 80 percent to 90 percent — of all MAP variants in people of Northern European descent. Between 1 and 2 percent of people of Northern European descent have one of these variants, which means that between 1 in 10,000 and 1 in 40,000 people of Northern European descent are expected to have MAP.
It’s important to note that more than 100 other variants in the MUTYH gene have been linked to MAP and this report only includes two of those variants. While this report is most relevant for people of Northern European ancestry, the two variants are also found in people of other ethnicities.
<h2>MAP</h2>
“People with MUTYH-associated polyposis (MAP) are at a much higher risk of developing colon and rectal cancers, and it often affects them when they are at younger ages,” said Anjee Davis, President, Fight Colorectal Cancer, a leading colorectal cancer patient advocacy group in the U.S. “However, for people who know that they have MAP, early detection and subsequent screening can be potentially lifesaving. The new 23andMe report is limited in that it only identifies people with MAP — and not other hereditary colorectal cancer syndromes, like Lynch syndrome — but it can be a positive first step for prevention for those who have the two associated variants. Additionally, because only a small percentage of colorectal cancer cases are attributed to a hereditary predisposition, all people need to know the symptoms and be screened at the recommended age.&#8221;
Without appropriate surveillance, carrying both of these variants or having two copies of one increases the risk of developing colorectal cancer to between 43 and 100 percent. The risk in the general population is about 4.2 percent.
<h2> Health + Ancestry Service Customers</h2>
Eligible <a href="https://www.23andme.com/dna-health-ancestry/">23andMe Health + Ancestry Service</a> customers can view their MAP report. As with other Genetic Health Risk reports considered sensitive, eligible customers must first opt-in to view the report. If they choose to opt in, they will go through a short tutorial detailing vital information to know before seeing their results.
23andMe is committed to ensuring that our customers understand what it may mean to carry a risk variant or variants and what it means not to have one of the variants covered in this report. Specifically, not having one of the variants — or a negative result — does not mean one is not at risk for developing colorectal cancer. Instead, the report highlights the fact that genetics is just one of many risk factors for colorectal cancer.
<h2>Family History</h2>
More than a hundred genetic variants in the MUTYH gene are linked to MAP, and thousands of variants in other genes are linked to other hereditary colorectal cancer syndromes.
People with two variants or two copies of a variant included in the MAP report have a higher risk for colorectal cancer and the risk for people with one variant is still uncertain. Some studies suggest that people with one variant may have a slightly increased risk, particularly if they have a family history of colorectal cancer. Still, the evidence is limited at this point.
If a person has a positive family history of colorectal cancer or a personal history of colorectal polyps, they should consider talking to a doctor for more screening information. Finally, the MAP report is not diagnostic and is intended for adults only. It is not a substitute for visits to a healthcare professional for recommended screenings or appropriate follow-up. Any result should be confirmed in a clinical setting before taking any medical action.
<h2>Learn More</h2>
Eligible customers can go to their <a href="https://you.23andme.com/health/">Health Overview</a> page to view their report. On that page, they will be directed to update their report preferences and choose whether to opt in to receive the report. Not yet a 23andMe customer? Find out more <a href="https://www.23andme.com/dna-health-ancestry/">here</a>.
*For important information and limitations regarding each of our genetic health risk reports as well as our other health reports, visit<a href="http://23andme.com/test-info"> 23andme.com/test-info</a>.

Report Looks at Risk for Hereditary Colorectal Cancer

An overwhelming majority of people with depression or bipolar disorder wants better treatment options and care, according to a first-of-its-kind survey by The Milken Institute.<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright wp-image-27167 size-medium" title="23andMe's Depression and Bipolar Disorder Study" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/23andMe_MDDBDStudy_icon_645-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" />
The Milken Institute, one of two collaborators with<a href="https://www.23andme.com/depression-bipolar/"> 23andMe’s Depression and Bipolar Study</a>, began the survey last year. The survey involved more than 6,405 individuals who reported experiencing one or both of the conditions. About a third of those surveyed also are participants in 23andMe’s Depression and Bipolar Study. Among other things, the<a href="https://www.milkeninstitute.org/reports/supporting-wellness-initial-findings-survey-lived-experience-and-research-priorities"> survey</a> found that 89 percent of those with one or both of the conditions said there was a need for better treatments and care.
“Why aren’t there more options in treating depression?” one of the survey respondents asked. “Trial and error of creating the right cocktail of drugs should not be commonplace.”

<h6>23andMe Depression and Bipolar Study</h6>
The findings also support the basis of 23andMe’s Depression and Bipolar Study. The study  enrolled 25,000 participants diagnosed with depression or bipolar disorder and another 25,000 research participants who do not have the condition to study.
Researchers are exploring the underlying genetics and other factors that contribute to developing depression and or bipolar disorder.  The ultimate goal of the research is to improve the lives of people living with these conditions. That might come through better treatment options, a goal that aligns with those with the conditions who responded to the survey.<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright wp-image-27166 size-medium" title="The study of depression and bipolar disorder" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/0-300x200.png" alt="" width="300" height="200" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/0-300x200.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/0-768x512.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/0-1024x682.png 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/0-880x586.png 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/0-1180x786.png 1180w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/0.png 1255w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />
<h6>Collaborations</h6>
Along with the Milken Institute, 23andMe is collaborating with Lundbeck, a global pharmaceutical company tirelessly dedicated to restoring brain health, so every person can be their best.
The researchers are still combing through the data for that study. At the same time, 23andMe continues to collaborate with other research institutions and universities looking at these conditions.
Most recently, 23andMe contributed data used in a<a href="https://blog.23andme.com/23andme-research/new-insights-into-the-genetics-of-depression/"> genetic study</a> by the University of Edinburgh published in the journal<a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41593-018-0326-7"> Nature Neuroscience</a> earlier this year. That study found more than 200 genes associated with depression. Many of the strongest associations were in genes involved in neurotransmission and response to stimuli that are part of the central nervous system. The findings highlight the importance of studying cortical regions of the brain and their role in the condition, according to the researchers.
<h6>The Milken Survey</h6>
The intent of Milken Institute’s survey was to learn more about the experience of those with depression or bipolar disorder or both. The survey was conducted along with the<a href="https://www.dbsalliance.org/"> Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance.</a>  The group hopes to use those insights to prioritize the direction of research.
But the survey also offered some insight into the two conditions. It indicated that more often than not, depression and bipolar go hand-in-hand. About 33 percent of those surveyed said they were diagnosed with both depression and bipolar disorder. Another 21 percent said they were diagnosed with one condition, but experienced symptoms of the other. For researchers, it suggests that the conditions fall across a spectrum. They may not be distinct, although they are often diagnosed that way.
Finally, the survey asked about the age when symptoms first appeared. This revealed a potential gap in research. Almost 70 percent of those surveyed said their symptoms began in childhood. More than a quarter said the symptoms started before the age of 12. The significance here is that many organizations that track the condition report onset in early adulthood. That means that they may be missing a key period of onset.
This new survey offers essential insights into the conditions. But it also is notable for focusing on the input of people with depression or bipolar disorder, or both.

Better Treatment and Care Needed for People with Depression

<figure class="wp-block-image alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="252" height="300" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Anne-headshot_2018-e1532470981667-252x300.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-26375" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Anne-headshot_2018-e1532470981667-252x300.jpeg 252w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Anne-headshot_2018-e1532470981667-859x1024.jpeg 859w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Anne-headshot_2018-e1532470981667-990x1180.jpeg 990w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Anne-headshot_2018-e1532470981667-768x915.jpeg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Anne-headshot_2018-e1532470981667-739x880.jpeg 739w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 252px) 100vw, 252px" /></figure>



Great workers make for great places to work, and at 23andMe, it all starts at the top with CEO and Co-Founder Anne Wojcicki.



This week, Glassdoor, one of the world’s largest job and recruiting sites, made it official and named Anne among its 2019 Employees’ Choice Awards honoring Top CEOs, U.S. SMBs. The award highlights leaders who <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/23andme-named-one-of-the-best-places-to-work-in-2019-on-glassdoor">employees love working with</a> and is unique because winners are selected based on<a href="https://www.glassdoor.com/mz-survey/start_input.htm?cr=&amp;c=PR&amp;showSurvey=Reviews"> reviews shared</a> on Glassdoor by their employees.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-places-to-work">Best Places to Work</h2>



It’s the second time in the last six months that 23andMe has been recognized by Glassdoor. Late last year, 23andMe was named as one of the<a href="https://blog.23andme.com/news/23andme-named-one-of-the-best-places-to-work-in-2019-on-glassdoor/"> Best Places to Work in 2019</a> on Glassdoor. Again, like the Top CEO award, that honor was based entirely on reviews from 23andMe employees. This makes<a href="https://www.glassdoor.com/Award/index.htm"> these awards</a> even more reputable because there is no self-nominating process. The Top CEO award is based on the opinion of those who know the workplace best, the employees.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="190" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/23andme-banner-1491416147859-1024x190.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-26738" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/23andme-banner-1491416147859-1024x190.jpg 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/23andme-banner-1491416147859-300x56.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/23andme-banner-1491416147859-768x142.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/23andme-banner-1491416147859-880x163.jpg 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/23andme-banner-1491416147859-1180x219.jpg 1180w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/23andme-banner-1491416147859.jpg 1478w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



“It’s an honor to recognize incredible leaders who exemplify exceptional vision, trust, and communication from their employees&#8217; perspectives. Glassdoor’s Top CEOs award continues to be more competitive every year,” said Christian Sutherland-Wong, Glassdoor president and chief operating officer. “I congratulate each leader on their achievement.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reviews">Reviews</h2>



On Glassdoor’s site, employees can anonymously<a href="https://www.glassdoor.com/survey/start_input.htm?contentOriginHook=PR&amp;showSurvey=REVIEWS"> submit reviews</a> about their company. When they submit a review, they are asked to rate various factors about their employment experience, including their overall satisfaction and other workplace attributes like senior management. As part of these ratings, employees are also asked to rate whether they approve, disapprove, or are neutral about the job their CEO is doing. Among the approximately 900,000 companies reviewed on Glassdoor, the average CEO approval rating is 69 percent. Anne was ranked on this year’s list with a 97 percent employee approval rating.



Check out the Employees’ Choice Awards for the Top CEOs in 2019 on the U.S. SMB list here:<a href="https://www.glassdoor.com/Award/Top-CEOs-at-SMBs-LST_KQ0,16.htm"> https://www.glassdoor.com/Award/Top-CEOs-at-SMBs-LST_KQ0,16.htm</a>.



Interested in joining our gene pool? Learn more here.



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Glassdoor Names 23andMe’s Anne Wojcicki A Top CEO

<div id="attachment_27155" style="width: 310px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-27155" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Kenneth-Hillan-1-300x300.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-27155 size-medium" width="300" height="300" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Kenneth-Hillan-1-300x300.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Kenneth-Hillan-1-150x150.jpg 150w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Kenneth-Hillan-1-768x768.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Kenneth-Hillan-1-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Kenneth-Hillan-1-880x880.jpg 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Kenneth-Hillan-1-1180x1180.jpg 1180w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Kenneth-Hillan-1-271x271.jpg 271w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Kenneth-Hillan-1-372x372.jpg 372w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Kenneth-Hillan-1-574x574.jpg 574w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Kenneth-Hillan-1-980x980.jpg 980w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />Kenneth Hillan, M.B., Ch.B. 23andMe’s Head of Therapeutics</div>
We recently sat down with Kenneth Hillan, M.B., Ch.B. 23andMe’s Head of Therapeutics, to learn more about his journey, career, and vision for Therapeutics. Prior to coming to 23andMe Kenneth was CEO of Achaogen, Inc where he also served on the board of directors. Before that he spent 17 years at Genentech rising to the position of Senior Vice President and Head of Clinical Development and Product Development Strategy in Asia-Pacific for Roche in Shanghai, China. Originally from Scotland, Kenneth studied medicine and became a surgeon and pathologist before coming to the United States.
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<h6>Tell us about your childhood.</h6>
I grew up in a pretty traditional family, for the west of Scotland, in a town called Renfrew, near Glasgow. I went to school at Glasgow University, where I studied Medicine. Student life in Scotland was a wee-bit different from what normally happens in the States. It was a great place to learn and make lasting friendships. I’ve always enjoyed the outdoors, and as a keen hiker, I probably spent more time walking the hills of Scotland than I did studying.

<div id="attachment_27156" style="width: 235px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-27156" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/IMG-2544-225x300.jpg" alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-27156" width="225" height="300" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/IMG-2544-225x300.jpg 225w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/IMG-2544-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/IMG-2544-660x880.jpg 660w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/IMG-2544-885x1180.jpg 885w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/IMG-2544-scaled.jpg 1920w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px" />Glasgow University, Scotland</div>
<h6>What did you want to be when you were a kid??</h6>
I always wanted to be a doctor, and it’s ultimately what I became, although that’s not exactly what I do now.
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<h6>What eventually brought you to the US?</h6>
While you should listen to what people tell you, you shouldn’t always do what they say.
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Earlier in my career, when I was thinking about coming to the States, my then boss, Roddy MacSween, said to me, “You definitely should not go to the States — you’ll be lost to British pathology.”
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However, getting on a British Airways flight bound for SFO on July 31, 1994 turned out to be one of the best decisions I ever made, as it opened my mind to all of the incredible possibilities created through the emerging science of biotechnology.
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I planned to spend just two years in a lab at Genentech, working on a newly discovered gene,<a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/3082"> hepatocyte growth factor</a>, that caused the liver to grow. It’s a remarkable protein, when you give it to animals, their liver doubles in size in just three days!
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So, I thought I was going to Genentech to figure out how to cure patients with liver failure using hepatocyte growth factor and eventually to return to the UK; neither of those two things came to pass.
After my first two years was over, Genentech made me an offer to join research as a scientist. So, I decided to stay, which meant giving up a career in medicine and not going back to the UK.
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<h6>What was the best career advice you received?</h6>
When I was training as a doctor in Glasgow, I wanted to be a surgeon but wasn’t really sure what kind of surgery I should pursue.
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So, I asked my mentor, Harry Burns, what he would do if he were in my shoes. He said, “When I was at your stage, I would have explored going someplace else to learn new surgical techniques and to travel, as you have forty years of operating ahead of you.”
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Harry helped me find a place, through his network, as a surgical research fellow at the Hôpital Saint Antoine in Paris, France, which was the biggest GI surgical center in Europe.
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I spent a year in Paris doing half clinical and half research. I had the chance to learn French and to meet many interesting surgeons and researchers from all over the world and also started to develop an interest in liver disease, liver regeneration, and liver cell transplantation. It eventually became the bridge that took me to Genentech ten years later.
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My advice to people is to surround yourself with people who encourage and support you to do things that are a little unconventional in areas in which you have conviction.
<h6>What surprised you about 23andMe since joining?</h6>
The most surprising thing is the amount of data we have at 23andMe and our incredible data scientists who can transform that data into actionable information.
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I love the fact that I can sit at my desk and ask a question in my mind, then with a click of a button, I can find out what genes might be associated with a condition or disease.
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When I had lunch with Richard (Scheller, 23andMe’s Chief Scientific Officer) last November, he lured me in with data, specifically around the question, ‘are you a morning person or a night owl?’ I didn’t know the answer to what made someone a morning or night person, but Richard explained to me it had to do with the PER gene that controls circadian rhythm.
The fact you can ask our customers that question, and because of the size of the 23andMe customer database, you can find the gene that controls circadian rhythm – that blew me away! It took scientists 40 years to discover the gene that controls our body clock, and they won the Nobel prize for their work. And now at 23andMe we can find it with a click of a mouse!
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<h6>What are you most excited about this year?</h6>
I joined because I’m excited about what 23andMe is doing. The ability to marry the consumer and research sides of the business, together with therapeutics, exists no place else on planet Earth. Leveraging our database and our knowledge of human genetics to select the best possible drug targets for a given disease is incredibly powerful.
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We know that using genetics as a starting point in drug discovery approximately doubles the probability of creating a successful medicine, and selecting patients based on their personal genetics improves clinical outcomes. This is all part of our secret sauce and has never before been done on the scale that we are working on at 23andMe.
We have a really strong and committed Therapeutics team and are continuing to add new people and capabilities as we advance our pipeline. 
<div id="attachment_27163" style="width: 310px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-27163" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/IMG-0216-300x183.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-27163 size-medium" width="300" height="183" />23andMe&#8217;s Therapeutics team</div>
The database continues to grow and scale, and with the GSK collaboration we continue to make new discoveries.
It’s our ability to advance a portfolio of programs at 23andMe that is so important, as even with the best science and scientists, some programs will still falter, for reasons like toxicity or an inability to create a molecule with all of the drug-like properties needed to treat patients.
23andMe has the potential to turn the future of healthcare on its head.
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<h6>What is your vision for Therapeutics in the next five years?</h6>
The mission at 23andMe is all about helping people access, understand and benefit from the human genome. Therapeutics is one of the key ways we can help our customers to reach the full “benefit” from the human genome by successfully bringing targeted therapies based on human genetic data to them.
With products and patients selected based on a deep understanding of the genetic drivers of disease, we have a goal of delivering better patient outcomes and real value to the healthcare system. We are still on our way to realizing that vision and I feel extraordinarily privileged to be a part of what I know is going to be the incredible journey of getting from here to there.
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<h6>Final thoughts about Therapeutics</h6>
Unlike our consumer business where we improve and refine our product every year and can react and respond to marketing data on a real time basis, in Therapeutics, it&#8217;s very different, it is a longer journey.
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While the return on all of the work is potentially enormous, it occurs over five, six, or seven years. We need to understand that it takes time and while I wish we could move more quickly, we’re making real progress, and I’m confident it will be worthwhile.

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