By Briana Cameron, Ph.D., 23andMe Scientist, Biostatistics
As the year comes to an end and the temperature starts to drop, your urge for frosty treats like ice cream may also wane. At least, that’s what data from 23andMe research participants shows us: 
<div id="attachment_26665" style="width: 310px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-26665" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Ice-Cream-Consumption-300x206.png" alt="" class="wp-image-26665 size-medium" width="300" height="206" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Ice-Cream-Consumption-300x206.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Ice-Cream-Consumption.png 512w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />Customers were asked to report on how frequently they had consumed ice cream in the past month, with options ranging from never to two or more times a day. If we look at the week in which a customer answers this question, we can see that, unsurprisingly, customers tend to eat more ice cream in the summer months. Ice cream consumption reaches a low point in January.</div>It may seem obvious that January isn’t the best time to enjoy an ice cream cone, but what about other food? At 23andMe, we ask customers about how frequently they eat a wide variety of foods over the previous four weeks. Customers can answer this survey at any time, allowing researchers to look into how dietary habits may be influenced by season. (To make sure that all respondents were experiencing the same seasons, our Southern Hemisphere customers were excluded from the analysis.)
Evaluating these seasonal patterns, and adjusting for these trends in analyses of nutrition data, allows for more accurate research in this field. 
<h6>Eating Habits</h6>
Diet is an important component in studying many health outcomes, and a more nuanced consideration of how season affects our eating habits may provide researchers with a better understanding of the connection between diet and our health. In addition, understanding how factors such as food availability and cultural influences, which may be tied to season, impact what we eat may help inform policies and programs designed to improve diet quality.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/iStock-917339906-300x200.jpg" alt="" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-26667" width="300" height="200" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/iStock-917339906-300x200.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/iStock-917339906-768x512.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/iStock-917339906-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/iStock-917339906-880x587.jpg 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/iStock-917339906-1180x787.jpg 1180w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/iStock-917339906.jpg 1254w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />Not all foods follow the seasonal pattern observed in ice cream consumption, however. 
In fact, when looking at the consumption of chocolate and other candy, the pattern reverses: Candy consumption reaches a peak in the winter, with slightly less candy consumption in the summer months. We can also see an increased candy intake right around Halloween, illustrating the power of this survey to detect these small perturbations in typical dietary intake. 
<div id="attachment_26666" style="width: 310px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-26666" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Chocolate-Consumption-300x206.png" alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-26666" width="300" height="206" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Chocolate-Consumption-300x206.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Chocolate-Consumption-768x528.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Chocolate-Consumption-880x605.png 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Chocolate-Consumption.png 918w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />The plot above shows the mean and standard error bars for the average number of times a day a customer reports eating chocolate or other candy for each week during the year.</div>
Halloween and other holidays can have strong, sharp impacts on our diet, but other factors may be involved as well. Certain foods, such as fresh fruit and vegetables, may be less readily available during the winter in certain places, which may impact consumption of those foods. In addition, cultural associations may influence how people eat throughout the year; for example, ice cream is often seen as a summer treat, and soup may be thought of as a good meal on a cold winter day.
The 23andMe research model, which is based on a continuous collection of self-reported data over a long period of time, allows for more detailed investigation of behavioral patterns and dietary habits over time. It will be important to understand and adjust for variables related to season, such as the time a customer takes a survey, in order to form a more clear picture of the role of nutrition in leading a healthy life.
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Briana Cameron

23andMe Evaluates Seasonal Dietary Habits

Last month, with autumn in full season, students from the Yale Genetics Club gathered inside Harkness Hall to watch and then discuss the film <a href="https://www.thankyouforcomingmovie.com/synopsis/">Thank you for Coming</a>, a documentary about DNA testing and donor-conceived children.
<div id="attachment_26673" style="width: 310px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-26673" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Sara-Lamm-Thao-300x215.jpg" alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-26673" width="300" height="215" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Sara-Lamm-Thao-300x215.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Sara-Lamm-Thao.jpg 512w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />Documentary filmmaker Sara Lamm and 23andMe&#8217;s Thao Do at the Yale screening of Thank You for Coming.</div>
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While elsewhere on this beautifully adorned campus with its Gothic-style buildings, students were studying for their midterm exams, inside the hall students were discussing genetics and the meaning of family.
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“(The) screening was such a rewarding experience for me,” said Ava Daniel, sophomore Yale student and founder of the Yale Genetics Club. “The film inspired such thoughtful conversations between my peers and me about the deep familial and cultural themes that accompany genetic testing, which is something we can’t often dive into within a classroom setting.”

The 90 minutes movie follows a filmmaker, Sara Lamm, who discovered at age 29 that her biological father was a sperm donor and not the father that she grew up with. The film follows her on a heartfelt journey as she uses her DNA testing results and historical records to find and connect with her biological father and siblings.
<div id="attachment_26675" style="width: 310px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-26675" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/At-Yale-Classroom-screening-300x176.jpg" alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-26675" width="300" height="176" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/At-Yale-Classroom-screening-300x176.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/At-Yale-Classroom-screening.jpg 512w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />Inside Harkness Hall for the screening of the film Thank You for Coming.</div>
As part of the 23andMe Genetics Club, Yale Genetics Club students are invited to participate in educational opportunities throughout the year, like this movie screening. Participation in the <a href="https://education.23andme.com/genetics-club/">23andMe Genetics Club</a> is free and the mission is to inspire and support students to have conversations about genetics, and its potential impact in society. 
&nbsp;
“The screening at Yale, and the discussion it sparked, is just the sort of engaging activity these clubs are meant to foster,” said Thao Do, Ph.D., 23andMe Education, and Academia Manager.
&nbsp;
“I love spending time with students,” said Thao, who was at the screening. “They are full of light and energy and hope for the future. They are highly engaged and ask very thoughtful questions. It’s a privilege to be a witness to their beautiful journey of learning.” 
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At the screening, Sara Lamm, the filmmaker and main character of the movie, traveled on a train from New York to Connecticut to join the students for a live question and answer sessions. Although scheduled for a 30 minutes, the students stayed long into the night to ask Sara questions like: What does it mean to be family? Is it genetically-defined or socially-constructed? How will genetics testing influence our society in the future?
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“My mother immigrated to America 34 years ago from South Korea, which is where half of my family still resides,” said Keith Ochwat, Producer of Thank You For Coming. “Sara’s film about reconnecting with family resonates with me because of my shared aspiration and desire to connect and create new family stories.” 
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If you are a college student or educators and would like to bring the film Thank you for Coming to your campus and host your own screening with the director, Sara Lamm, you can contact the film&#8217;s producer directly through the film&#8217;s website.
If you are an active college student or educator at an accredited U.S. institution, join the <a href="https://education.23andme.com/genetics-club/">23andMe Genetics Club</a> to participate in fun educational events like this movie screening. No purchase necessary.
Here&#8217;s a trailer for the film.
<iframe loading="lazy" width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kadIus1tE1A" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>

23andMe Blog

23andMe Blog Team

23andMe Sponsors Screening Film at Yale University Genetics Club

23andMe’s commitment to Parkinson’s research is in the company’s DNA. It goes back almost a decade to when we first launched our<a href="https://www.23andme.com/pd/"> Parkinson’s research community</a>, and  for many of us this interest is more than just professional, it’s personal.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Run-DNA-Fox-Trot-300x225.jpg" alt="" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-26638" width="300" height="225" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Run-DNA-Fox-Trot-300x225.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Run-DNA-Fox-Trot-768x576.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Run-DNA-Fox-Trot-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Run-DNA-Fox-Trot-880x660.jpg 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Run-DNA-Fox-Trot-1180x885.jpg 1180w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Run-DNA-Fox-Trot.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />
We have both friends and family members who are living with the disease. Last month our Parkinson’s research community manager, Paul Cannon,<a href="https://blog.23andme.com/research-communities/an-interview-with-23andmes-parkinsons-disease-program-manager-paul-cannon/"> shared his experience</a> of undergoing surgery for Deep Brain Stimulation for treatment of his Parkinson’s.
 Paul’s experience and others is what helps motivate the work and efforts like 23andMe’s recent sponsorship of fundraisers like the The Michael J. Fox Foundation’s (MJFF) Bay Area Fox Trot 5k to raise money and awareness for Parkinson&#8217;s research. This year our team — 23andMe Run DNA — of more than 100 employees and their family members raised about $12,000. 

This fun way of getting involved also highlights one of our strongest allies in our efforts in Parkinson’s disease, MJFF. One year ago, the Foundation launched a new Parkinson’s research initiative called<a href="http://foxinsight.org"> Fox Insight</a> in collaboration with 23andMe.
Fox Insight is an online clinical study that collects self-reported data about health experiences from those with and without Parkinson&#8217;s, and aims to transform the search for better treatments for the disease. 23andMe and The Michael J. Fox Foundation have joined forces to help eligible participants add their genetic data to this study, which can allow researchers to create a more holistic understanding of the disease. This folds neatly into 23andMe’s long-standing goals of better understanding, treating and preventing the disease.

In the last year, Fox Insight enrollment has more than quadrupled to over 27,000 people and counting, and we hope that thousands, even hundreds of thousands, more will participate.
To educate people about genetic research and how it could help us overcome knowledge and treatment gaps in Parkinson&#8217;s, MJFF created a new video to explain what genetics is teaching us about the disease. As movement disorder specialist and Michael J. Fox Foundation Scientific Advisor Dr. Susan Bressman puts it,
“Advances coming out of genetic research today offer one of our best chances to develop drugs that will help everyone living with Parkinson’s whether they have a (genetic) mutation (for the disease) or not.”
That’s because insights from genetic research can help scientists better understand how Parkinson’s develops, why it manifests itself differently in some people, and why some individuals who carry a genetic mutation associated with Parkinson’s never develop the disease. Studying both those with and without Parkinson’s illuminates these questions. Take a moment to check out the <a href="https://youtu.be/SwQojrAZV9M">video</a> and learn more about<a href="http://foxinsight.org"> Fox Insight</a>.

October Insights into Parkinson’s Research

23andMe The Perfect Gift for the Holidays

Genetic counselors are more in demand than ever, filling critical roles at healthcare institutions and companies across the country. However, with two to three job openings for every new genetic counselor who graduates, we’re facing a national workforce shortage.
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In fact, according to the <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/genetic-counselors.htm">U.S. Bureau of Labour Statistics</a>, the number of genetic counselors needed is expected to increase by 29 percent in the next ten years — which is much faster than average growth across other fields.
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At 23andMe, we’re committed to developing genetic reports that consumers can access on their own. However, we rely heavily on our genetic counselors to ensure that the information we share is both accurate and understandable. 
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So, in honor of <a href="https://www.nsgc.org/page/genetic-counselor-awareness-day">Genetic Counselor Awareness Day</a> (November 8), we’re profiling our very own genetic counselors at 23andMe who make the work we do possible. As an added bonus, we also asked what they love most about their role at 23andMe, especially since their path may not be what others consider “traditional” for those in the genetic counseling field. 
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<h5>Altovise Ewing, PhD, LCGC</h5>
 <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Ewing-photo-216x300.jpg" alt="" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-26686" width="216" height="300" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Ewing-photo-216x300.jpg 216w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Ewing-photo-768x1069.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Ewing-photo-736x1024.jpg 736w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Ewing-photo-632x880.jpg 632w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Ewing-photo-848x1180.jpg 848w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Ewing-photo-scaled.jpg 1839w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 216px) 100vw, 216px" />&#8220;As a Medical Science Liaison, I am able to meld my clinical genetic counseling, research and educator skills all into one valuable experience.  I am honored to engage in purpose-filled work that contributes to our ability to provide an optimal and potentially more inclusive experience for all customers.
Altovise is a licensed and board-certified genetic counselor with seven years of clinical and research experience in cancer genetics. She joined 23andMe in April 2018 as a Medical Science Liaison and focuses on distilling complex medical information for our customers. She’s also responsible for developing external relationships with key opinion leaders and educational development. Altovise holds a PhD in Human Genetics with a specialization in Genetic Counseling from Howard University and received a BA in Biology from Rhodes College. During her training, she spent time at the NIH with the National Human Genome Research Institute and the National Cancer Institute. She also had the privilege of providing genetic counseling services to patients at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. 
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<h5>Stacey Detweiler, MS, LCGC</h5>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/©PITER2017©PITER2017Stacey-Detweiler0057-copy-218x300.jpg" alt="" class="alignright wp-image-26687" width="230" height="316" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/©PITER2017©PITER2017Stacey-Detweiler0057-copy-218x300.jpg 218w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/©PITER2017©PITER2017Stacey-Detweiler0057-copy-768x1056.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/©PITER2017©PITER2017Stacey-Detweiler0057-copy-745x1024.jpg 745w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/©PITER2017©PITER2017Stacey-Detweiler0057-copy-640x880.jpg 640w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/©PITER2017©PITER2017Stacey-Detweiler0057-copy-858x1180.jpg 858w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/©PITER2017©PITER2017Stacey-Detweiler0057-copy-scaled.jpg 1862w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 230px) 100vw, 230px" />&#8220;I love the people! In my role, I have the opportunity to interact with people from all over the company.  Every day I’m working with people who are passionate about genetics and, just like me, they want to share that passion with others. Being part of a team focused on making genetics accessible and paving a path towards precision medicine is an honor and a joy.&#8221;
Stacey  is also on our Medical Affairs team and has four years of clinical and research experience in perinatal genetics. She’s an active member of the National Society of Genetic Counselors. 
As part of her role as a Medical Affairs Associate, she focuses on product, clinical and educational development &#8212; which means that she helps ensure our product includes consumer-friendly information that’s medically accurate. 
Prior to joining 23andMe in 2016, Stacey served as both a perinatal genetic counselor and clinical research coordinator at Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School before providing clinical counseling at Palo Alto Medical Foundation. 
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<h5>Anne Greb, MS, CGC<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Anne-Greb-300x259.jpg" alt="" class="alignright wp-image-26688 size-medium" width="300" height="259" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Anne-Greb-300x259.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Anne-Greb.jpg 629w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></h5>
&#8220;For the past three decades I have eagerly anticipated this new era of genomic medicine. What I didn’t anticipate was this widespread popular interest in genetics as people seek to know more about their <a href="https://www.23andme.com/dna-health-ancestry/">health, ancestry</a> and other <a href="https://www.23andme.com/dna-ancestry/">human traits</a>. At 23andMe I have an opportunity to provide educational opportunities for healthcare providers so they take advantage of this enthusiasm and engage their patients in discussions about the role of genetics in health and wellness.&#8220;
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Anne is on our Medical Education team and specializes in developing content to educate health care professionals to better integrate personalized genetic information into the everyday care of their patients. Anne is a board-certified genetic counselor with over 25 years of experience in genetic counseling program leadership, medical education and administration. Most recently, Anne directed the Joan H. Marks Graduate Program in Human Genetics at Sarah Lawrence College where she led efforts to increase the program’s training capacity so more genetic counselors are available to meet the needs of patients and their families. She also served as president of the American Board of Genetic Counseling.
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Altovise, Stacey and Anne are critical members of our team, and we sure don’t give them much downtime. On Genetic Counselor Awareness Day, we’re particularly excited to show our support for their work but that doesn’t mean we aren’t sending our kudos their way every day, too. 
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23andMe’s Team of Genetic Counselors

By: Thao Do, Ph.D.
College professors and students across the country are starting Genetics Club at their universities to educate and engage their peers and local community about genetics.
<div id="attachment_26670" style="width: 310px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-26670" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Thao-Do-and-Hannah-300x156.png" alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-26670" width="300" height="156" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Thao-Do-and-Hannah-300x156.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Thao-Do-and-Hannah-768x400.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Thao-Do-and-Hannah-1024x533.png 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Thao-Do-and-Hannah-880x458.png 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Thao-Do-and-Hannah.png 1032w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />Thao Do, PhD, and University of Iowa student Hannah Ericson earlier this year  for a live broadcast from 23andMe headquarters.</div>
One sophomore student, Hannah Ericson, from the University of Iowa visited the 23andMe headquarters this year and shared her  personal experiences in leading and participating in a club at the University of Iowa with Thao Do, 23andMe’s Education and Academia Manager, during the broadcast of 23andMe Live. 
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The club is part of what is called the Personal Genome Learning Center (PGLC), which was started by Professor Bryant McAllister, an associate professor at the University of Iowa.  Prof. McAllister created the center because he wanted to inspire students to actively engage with their learning outside of the classroom through community outreach events. The students know that understanding the science of genetics will be ever more important in the future.
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“I think definitely it’ll come to a point where genetics is influencing everything in our daily lives from the food we’re eating to the clothes we’re wearing and even the medicine we’re being given,” said Hannah. “That’s why I think it’s so important that we help educate other people about genetics, so they have a basic understanding of what’s going on because it’s going to be so important in the future.”
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To that end the student group  gets together each week and supports programming for a monthly community meeting of the DNA Interest Group &#8211; Iowa City. Topics might include genealogy, human trait variations, the societal impact of commercial DNA testings, and even doggy DNA! The group also hosts fun genetics events like the annual Festival of Genetics around National DNA Day, April 25.
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The PGLC is also participating in the 23andMe Genetics Club. Participation in the <a href="https://education.23andme.com/genetics-club/">23andMe Genetics Club</a> is free and the mission is to inspire and support students to have conversations about genetics and its potential impact in society.
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As part of the 23andMe Genetics Club, college students and educators are invited to participate in free educational opportunities throughout the year, like the movie screening of <a href="https://www.thankyouforcomingmovie.com/">Thank You for Coming</a> and a live Q&amp;A session with the director Sara Lamm. The PGLC will be screening the movie at the November meeting of the DNA Interest Group, Iowa City.
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If you are an active college student or educator at an accredited U.S. institutions, join the <a href="https://education.23andme.com/genetics-club/">23andMe Genetics Club</a> to participate in fun educational events. No purchase necessary.
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<iframe loading="lazy" width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qL_ShuYwYpM" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>

23andMe Genetics Club at the University of Iowa

23andMe is built on science.  It’s in our DNA.<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Research-Icon-285x300.jpeg" alt="" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-23374" width="285" height="300" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Research-Icon-285x300.jpeg 285w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Research-Icon.jpeg 673w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 285px) 100vw, 285px" />
We are a bunch of scientists, and science enthusiasts, who have a mission to help people access, understand and benefit from the human genome. That means, in part, making sure that our research insights are not walled off into silos that only scientists can see. We want the people who choose to participate in our research to see these insights and how their contributions make a difference.
While we take a traditional approach to rigorous scientific inquiry and publishing our findings — we now have<a href="https://www.23andme.com/publications/"> more than 110 papers</a> that have appeared in peer-reviewed publications, some of which have taken months and often years to complete — we also occasionally take a lighter approach to sharing insights from customers who have consented to participate in research.
So we’re excited to be able to share these insights back with our customers during times like Halloween, when we can dig into breakdowns of our customers’ genetic predispositions for sweet vs. salty foods. Here’s a sneak peek:
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<ul>
<li>Based on their genes, women in their 90&#8217;s are predicted to prefer sweets more than women in any other decade of life. While for men, it is in their 70s.</li>
<li>As for regional breakdowns, a higher fraction of people in Oregon are predicted to prefer sweet foods compared to the rest of the country. On the other hand, Hawaii has the highest fraction of customers predicted to prefer salty foods.</li>
</ul>
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One thing to keep in mind is that these are trends that 23andMe has observed based on genetic data from customers who have consented to participate in research. There are many reasons why the predisposition for a sweet food preference may differ between groups or regions, including differences in the ancestral backgrounds of people in a particular segment of the data, or simply random chance.
These fun and engaging findings all benefit from the same innovative data rich research model that 23andMe pioneered, and the deep expertise that our scientists bring to the table. Some of these findings are preliminary, most will never make it into a report or end up in a scientific journal, but they represent another way to share our research and engage with people in the science.
And sometimes these odd findings point to something worthy of deeper study. Can you smell <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosgenetics/article?id=10.1371/journal.pgen.1000993">asparagus pee</a>?

Big ‘R’ and Little ‘r’ Research at 23andMe

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted 23andMe authorization to offer reports to customers on <a href="https://www.23andme.com/test-info/pharmacogenetics/">pharmacogenetics</a>, indicating how customers’ genetics may influence the way they metabolize certain medications.<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright wp-image-26661 size-medium" title="pharmacogenetics" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/New-PGT-logo-300x157.png" alt="" width="300" height="157" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/New-PGT-logo-300x157.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/New-PGT-logo-768x402.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/New-PGT-logo-1024x536.png 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/New-PGT-logo-880x461.png 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/New-PGT-logo-1180x618.png 1180w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/New-PGT-logo.png 1200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />
The decision marks the first time the FDA has <a href="https://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm624753.htm">authorized</a> a direct-to-consumer genetic test for pharmacogenetics.

<h6> Pharmacogentics Test</h6>
“We&#8217;ve continued to <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/a-note-to-our-customers-regarding-the-fda">innovate through the FDA</a> and pioneer safe, effective pathways for consumers to directly access genetic health information,” said 23andMe co-founder and CEO Anne Wojcicki. “Pharmacogenetic reports are an important category of information.  I believe this authorization opens the door for consumers to work with their health providers to better manage their medications.”
The authorization allows for the reporting of <a href="https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cdrh_docs/pdf18/DEN180028.pdf">variants in multiple genes</a> that impact how well an individual metabolizes certain medications.  For example how well they metabolize clopidogrel. Clopidogrel is commonly prescribed to prevent heart attacks and strokes. These genes are associated with response to more than 50 other commonly used medications.
<h6>Genetics Test for Medications</h6>
The authorization allows us to provide customers with information on whether they are fast or slow metabolizers. And we can report on whether they may experience reduced efficacy, or have an increased chance of side effects from certain medications.
It has long been established that genetics influence how people respond to different medications. Certain medications have for many years included labeling with pharmacogenetics information. The FDA started listing these in 2009. However, people often only learn that they process a medication differently after they begin taking it.
<h6>FDA and Pharmacogenetics</h6>
This latest <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/pharmacogenetics-report">FDA authorization</a> follows several years of work by 23andMe. This work led to four separate FDA de novo authorizations for direct-to-consumer genetic tests. Those authorizations are for carrier status, genetic health risk reports, select BRCA1 and BRCA2 variants, and now <a href="https://www.23andme.com/membership" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pharmacogenetic reports</a>.
Each has included an extensive FDA review process. The process required 23andMe to submit studies demonstrating that our reports are scientifically valid and understandable for consumers. 23andMe also had to show that the results are analytically reliable.
<h6>Comprehension and Accuracy</h6>
In order to demonstrate this, 23andMe showed its tests have greater than 99 percent accuracy. Further, 23andMe had to demonstrate at least 90 percent user comprehension of the key concepts communicated in the reports.
User comprehension was an important part of the FDA’s evaluation of the pharmacogenetics reports. In this case it was not just looking to ensure that consumers understand the reports but also that they wouldn&#8217;t impact “treatment adherence.” That refers to whether or not a customer would stick to their prescribed treatment of a medication or whether a report would lead them to change or stop treatment. Our study showed that more than 97 percent of users understood that they should not use the report to make any changes to treatment without consulting their doctor.
Finally, the decision <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/fda-clearance">continues the commitment</a> made by 23andMe to return all the types of genetic health information to customers that it offered before received an FDA warning letter in 2013.

23andMe Pharmacogenetics Report Authorization

This is the third and final set of videos from 23andMe’s new series, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sw4rQoo2TiY&amp;list=PLFvkfbvHpp1nPvSN-Bjg2z2WIvCwDviHO">The DNA Download</a>, and it offers a nice way to explain another core focus of the company, our research.<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-26584" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Screen-Shot-2018-09-19-at-4.48.09-PM-300x168.png" alt="" width="300" height="168" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Screen-Shot-2018-09-19-at-4.48.09-PM-300x168.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Screen-Shot-2018-09-19-at-4.48.09-PM-768x430.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Screen-Shot-2018-09-19-at-4.48.09-PM-1024x573.png 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Screen-Shot-2018-09-19-at-4.48.09-PM-880x493.png 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Screen-Shot-2018-09-19-at-4.48.09-PM-1180x661.png 1180w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Screen-Shot-2018-09-19-at-4.48.09-PM.png 1434w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />
As with the all episodes of this series, the ever-enthusiastic Halleta Alemu hosts these videos, which each attempt to make the fascinating world of genetic science a little more approachable. In this set of videos a few of our scientists and specialists sit down with Halleta to explain aspects of 23andMe’s unique people-centered research model, and some of the basics on research in general.
<h6>HOW DOES GENETICS RESEARCH WORK?</h6>
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This video is a great place to start, with 23andMe product scientists James Ashenhurst, Ph.D. explaining some of the basics around not just genetic research but all scientific research. He uses some easy to understand descriptions of the scientific method and how it relates to the kind of work done at 23andMe.
<h6>UNDERSTANDING DNA VARIANTS</h6>
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This video touches on the data that helps fuel 23andMe research engine as 23andMe product scientist Kayla Capper, Ph.D., explains DNA variants. One of the fascinating aspects of genetics is how genetically similar any two people are — we are all 99.5 percent genetically the same. It’s that tiny fraction of a difference that offers opportunities for scientists to learn more about the biology of complex mix of traits that makes us each unique as well as health conditions. Kayla also explains the variants our researchers often look at in their work — single nucleotide polymorphisms, or SNPs for short, which generate biological variation between people.
<h6>BRAINS, GAMES AND DNA DISCOVERY</h6>
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There are many ways we can gather data and in this video 23andMe research survey methodologist Will Smith explains how scientists combine games with neuroscience and genetics to learn how our brain works. Using these so-called brain games, our scientists hope to learn more about the genetics of neurological and mental health conditions. Ultimately we hope these insights will help advance treatment of conditions affecting the brain.
<h6>THE IMPORTANCE OF DIVERSITY IN RESEARCH</h6>
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The pace of discovery in genetic research is breathtaking, but it hasn’t benefited everyone because there has been a lack of diversity in genetic research. In this video 23andMe’s research communications scientist, Jey McCreight, Ph.D., tells us why diversity is so important in research, what 23andMe is doing to engage research participants with different backgrounds.
OK, we hope these videos, which were part of 23andMe’s <a href="https://education.23andme.com/">educational program</a>, sparked an interest in learning more. There are other resources, like our <a href="https://education.23andme.com/genetics-101-booklet/">Genetics 101</a> booklet, you can tap that are a part to explore more.

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