You have a good head on your shoulders, but your genetics might be influencing whether or not you also have a little dandruff there.
<h2>Combing Through The Genetics</h2>
While we can’t brush it off for you, 23andMe scientists have identified genetic variants associated with dandruff.
As part of 23andMe’s regular cadence of releasing new<a href="https://www.23andme.com/dna-health-ancestry/#toc-traits"> trait reports</a>, 23andMe now offers a report on a customer’s genetic predisposition toward having dandruff.
The new report analyzes a customer’s genetic data for 487 variants associated with dandruff, takes into account a customer&#8217;s age, sex, and ancestry, and reports back whether that customer is more or less likely to have dandruff.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-large wp-image-26975 aligncenter" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/WS-Dandruff-1024x536.png" alt="" width="1024" height="536" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/WS-Dandruff-1024x536.png 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/WS-Dandruff-300x157.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/WS-Dandruff-768x402.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/WS-Dandruff-880x461.png 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/WS-Dandruff-1180x618.png 1180w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/WS-Dandruff.png 1200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />
<h2>Not Just Your Genetics</h2>
Your genetics, of course, is just part of the picture. Your environment and lifestyle also influence the flaking of the skin on your scalp. And the root of the problem, or at least one possible cause, maybe in the interaction between the microbes on your scalp and your skin cells.
For some of us, these microbes — and don’t freak out because we all have ‘em — may trigger an immune response that triggers skin cells to move more rapidly, causing skin cells to flake off and form dandruff. Scientists don’t yet know why some of us are more sensitive to these microbes than others, but they’ll continue combing the data to find out why.
This report and the more than two dozen other trait reports we offer within our  Health + Ancestry Service are meant to give customers a bit more insight into the fascinating world of genetics. They also add to the understanding of how your DNA and environment interact to help influence all the many things that are part of who you are.

23andMe Blog

23andMe Blog Team

23andMe’s New Dandruff Report

Pregnancy or rapid changes in weight can lead to stretch marks, but your genetics play a vital role in whether you see those lines across your skin.
<h2>The Genetics of Stretch Marks</h2>
23andMe scientists have identified 544 genetic variants associated with stretch marks.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-26976 size-large" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/WS-Stretch-Marks-1024x536.png" alt="An illustration with the words stretch marks" width="1024" height="536" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/WS-Stretch-Marks-1024x536.png 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/WS-Stretch-Marks-300x157.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/WS-Stretch-Marks-768x402.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/WS-Stretch-Marks-880x461.png 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/WS-Stretch-Marks-1180x618.png 1180w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/WS-Stretch-Marks.png 1200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />
As part of 23andMe’s regular cadence of releasing new <a href="https://www.23andme.com/dna-health-ancestry/#toc-traits">trait reports</a>, 23andMe now offers a report on a customer’s genetic predisposition toward having stretch marks, also known as striae distensae.
The new report analyzes a customer’s genetic data against those variants we have identified. It takes into account a customer&#8217;s age, sex, and ancestry and reports back whether that customer is more or less likely to have stretch marks.
<h2>Not Just Genetics</h2>
Some of us are more susceptible to stretch marks than others because of environment, age, and sex, but genetics also plays an important role.
Studies have shown that skin cells from people with stretch marks have lower amounts of specific proteins that are important for skin elasticity and repair. So when this skin is stretched rapidly from, say, pregnancy or weight loss or gain, the damage may be repaired, but it can also leave behind marks.
More than five years ago, 23andMe<a href="https://www.jidonline.org/article/S0022-202X(15)36019-X/fulltext"> published</a> a first-of-its-kind study looking at the genetics behind stretch marks, identifying an association near the gene that encodes for the elastin protein.
The new Stretch Marks trait report and the now more than two-dozen other trait reports we offer within the Health + Ancestry Service are meant to give customers a bit more insight into genetics. They also add to the understanding of how your DNA and environment interact to help influence all the many things that are part of who you are.

23andMe’s New Report on Stretch Marks

23andMe’s new Type 2 Diabetes report* offers customers insight into their likelihood of developing one of the most prevalent, pernicious, and yet preventable health conditions in the United States.<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/T2D-Image-300x138.jpg" alt="" class="alignright wp-image-26911" title="diet and exercise can help lower risk of type 2 diabetes" width="350" height="162" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/T2D-Image-300x138.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/T2D-Image-768x354.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/T2D-Image-1024x473.jpg 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/T2D-Image-880x406.jpg 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/T2D-Image-1180x545.jpg 1180w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/T2D-Image.jpg 1950w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px" />
This new report will impact more 23andMe customers than any other <a href="https://www.23andme.com/dna-health-ancestry">Health Predisposition report</a> the company has ever released. In part, this is because the likelihood of developing <a href="https://www.23andme.com/topics/health-predispositions/type-2-diabetes/">type 2 diabetes</a> is so high in the general population.
“Diabetes is a significant health issue in the United States that is expected to impact nearly half of the population,&#8221; said Anne Wojcicki, CEO and Co-Founder of 23andMe. &#8220;When customers learn about their genetic likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes, we believe there is an opportunity to motivate them to change their lifestyle and ultimately to help them prevent the disease.&#8221; 
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<h6>What’s a Polygenic Score?</h6>
The genes we inherit from our mother and father influence our risk of disease. While that’s pretty straightforward, the role genetics plays is a bit more complicated.
Although there are examples of a single genetic variant in a single gene causing certain conditions, it is often the case that hundreds or even thousands of variants — along with lifestyle and environmental factors — all play a role. And that’s precisely the case with type 2 diabetes.
For 23andMe’s new Type 2 Diabetes report, we created a model that incorporates more than 1,000 genetic variants to calculate a polygenic score for a customer’s likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes.
It’s not the first time we’ve used this method. However, it is the first time we’ve used this kind of polygenic score for a Health Predisposition report. In the past, we’ve used this method to develop our<a href="https://blog.23andme.com/health-traits/23andme-releases-first-of-its-kind-genetic-weight-report/"> Genetic Weight Report</a>. That report used both genetic data — hundreds of variants associated with BMI — and non-genetic data to calculate a person’s genetic predisposition to weigh more or less than average. 
<h6>Modeled Reports</h6>
Several other trait reports similarly rely on polygenic scores. For example, 23andMe’s recent reports on<a href="https://blog.23andme.com/health-traits/feeling-woozy-over-23andmes-new-report-on-motion-sickness/"> Motion Sickness</a>, the ability to<a href="https://blog.23andme.com/health-traits/itching-to-see-23andmes-new-trait-reports/"> Match a Musical Pitch</a>, and estimated<a href="https://blog.23andme.com/health-traits/23andme-adds-four-new-trait-reports/"> Wake Up Time</a> each use hundreds of variants to calculate one’s predisposition toward those traits.
23andMe will continue to use these kinds of polygenic modeled reports to report health predispositions to its customers. We are uniquely positioned to do this because of the data our customers contribute. This in turn allows our researchers to better understand the complex genetic underpinnings of various diseases. We can also then create polygenic models that take into account the cumulative effects of a large number of genetic variants. This allows us to give better estimates of their influence on different health conditions and diseases. 
You can learn more about how others are incorporating polygenic modeling to estimate risk by looking at coverage in the <a href="https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2018/08/polygenic-risk-scoring-flags-likelihood-of-developing-common-diseases/">Harvard Gazette</a>. That article focuses on  research done by scientists at the Broad Institute of MIT, Harvard, and Massachusetts General Hospital. In the summer of 2018 the team published their findings in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41588-018-0183-z?_ga=2.116551877.2133794146.1551300156-1054250013.1551300156#Abs1">Nature</a>. The study showed how they created a polygenic model to better estimate for the risk of five different conditions. The conditions included type 2 diabetes, breast cancer, and coronary artery disease.
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<h6>Rising Rates of Diabetes</h6>
In the United States alone a staggering one in three Americans have prediabetes, according to estimates from<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db319.htm?utm_source=STAT+Newsletters&#038;utm_campaign=ae2c97fb19-MR_COPY_12&#038;utm_medium=email&#038;utm_term=0_8cab1d7961-ae2c97fb19-150868577"> the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention</a>. Worse, 90 percent don’t know they have it. The impact is even greater among certain ethnicities. For example, Hispanics have the highest rates of diabetes with about 20 percent having the condition.
Worldwide, as lifestyle and diets are changing, the prevalence is also increasing. Beyond the very real human costs are the healthcare costs for treating the condition.  In the United States estimates for the costs of treating diabetes are more than $327 billion per year, according to the American Diabetes Association.
Despite the alarming statistics, there’s reason to be optimistic. Type 2 diabetes is one condition that can be prevented or delayed with lifestyle and diet changes. Genetics, family history, ethnicity, and age all contribute to the likelihood for developing type 2 diabetes. But type 2 diabetes is preventable. In many cases the likelihood can be lessened with a healthier diet and exercise. That’s where this report could help, by raising awareness among customers about their likelihood of developing the condition. There is some evidence that people do make positive changes to their diet and exercise more after getting genetic testing, according to<a href="http://www.genomes2people.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/20170502_PGen_BMCMedicalGenomics_Nielsen_DietExerciseDTC.pdf"> 2017 study</a> led by<a href="http://www.genomes2people.org/about/"> researchers</a> at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Broad Institute and Harvard Medical School.
<h6>The New Report and the Genetics of Type 2 Diabetes </h6>
We hope that 23andMe’s new Type 2 Diabetes report will raise awareness about diabetes. The report also informs customers of the potential of making healthy lifestyle changes to lower one’s likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes. We’re excited by the potential that this report has for making a difference in people’s lives, but it’s significant for another reason as well.
This report is built using real-world data from more than 2.5 million 23andMe customers who have opted into research. Some of those customers have the condition and others do not. Together the data from those cusomters have allowed our product scientists to create what’s called a polygenic score. To asses an individuals likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes, our team created a model that takes into account more than a thousand genetic variants.
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<h6>Polygenic Score</h6>
Research has shown that type 2 diabetes is partially impacted by many genetics. Many genetic variants  each individually have a tiny impact on the likelihood of developing it. The Type 2 Diabetes report calculates the combined effects of more than 1,000 of these variants. These variants, known as single nucleotide polymorphisms ( SNPs)  are variations in DNA sequence at particular locations in the genome. The calculation uses all these variants to arrive at a polygenic score.  The report can help customers learn how their genetics, influence the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes. It also looks at other factors such as  weight, age and lifestyle. In addition, the report also suggests actions customers can take to lower that likelihood.
Unlike other 23andMe health reports we developed and validated the Type 2 Diabetes report  completely on 23andMe research data. The report also underwent scientific review by our team of scientists, as well as reviews by our Medical Affairs and Regulatory teams. In addition, to create this report 23andMe relied on the expertise and knowledge of external experts. We included input from other scientific and medical professionals who are familiar with polygenic scores and the condition itself.
To learn more about the science behind 23andMe’s new Type 2 Diabetes report see <a href="https://permalinks.23andme.com/pdf/23_19-Type2Diabetes_March2019.pdf">our white paper</a>.
*Note: The 23andMe Type 2 Diabetes report is based on 23andMe research and incorporates more than 1,000 genetic variants to provide information on the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes.  The report does not account for lifestyle or family history and has not been reviewed by the US Food and Drug Administration. Visit www.23andme.com/topics/health-predispositions/type-2-diabetes for additional important information.
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23andMe Offers New Genetic Report on Type 2 Diabetes

<a href="https://www.23andme.com/topics/health-predispositions/fh/">Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH)</a> is one of the most common genetic conditions, which is associated with very high levels of “bad” cholesterol. Elevated levels of cholesterol can lead to a higher risk for early cardiovascular disease, and, in turn, an increased risk for heart attacks.
Even though FH is relatively common — affecting about 1 in 250 people worldwide — awareness of the condition is very low. That combined with the lack of symptoms, means that people with FH often go undiagnosed. 
In fact, as many as <a href="https://thefhfoundation.org/about-us/who-are-we">90 percent of people</a> with FH don’t know they have it. If left untreated, men with the condition have a 50 percent chance of having a heart attack by age 50, while untreated women with the condition have about a 30 percent risk of a heart attack by age 60,<a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12732381"> according to published studies.</a>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/WS-FH-1024x536.jpg" alt="" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-26893" width="1024" height="536" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/WS-FH-1024x536.jpg 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/WS-FH-300x157.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/WS-FH-768x402.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/WS-FH-880x461.jpg 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/WS-FH-1180x618.jpg 1180w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/WS-FH.jpg 1200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />
<h6>A Positive First Step for FH </h6>
Today 23andMe added a new <a href="https://www.23andme.com/dna-health-ancestry">Genetic Health Risk</a>* report on FH* which can tell individuals about their risk of developing high cholesterol associated with the condition. Given its expertise as the leading research and patient advocacy organization for the FH community, the FH Foundation provided input on the patient journey, the report’s content and associated educational resources. 
This new report could give an early warning for people who otherwise wouldn’t know of their risk, given the lack of awareness around the condition. Because there are few physical signs or symptoms, many people don’t know they have FH and how it can affect their cholesterol levels. However, when diagnosed early in life, the condition can be treated effectively to substantially reduce the risk of heart attack.
“Nine out of ten people born with familial hypercholesterolemia in the United States are undiagnosed, leaving them at risk for heart disease in the prime of life. Unlike many genetic conditions, FH is highly actionable.  Early diagnosis and appropriate medical treatment save lives,” said Katherine Wilemon, Founder and CEO of the<a href="https://thefhfoundation.org/"> FH Foundation</a>, a global research and advocacy organization. “The new 23andMe report, will not find everyone with an FH mutation, but it can be a positive first step for prevention by providing early detection for those who have one of the FH variants reported on.”
<h6>A New Genetic Health Risk Report for Familial Hypercholesterolemia </h6>
23andMe’s new Familial Hypercholesterolemia Genetic Health Risk report looks at 24 variants in the LDLR and APOB genes linked to the condition that have been shown to increase one’s risk of elevated levels of LDL cholesterol, and as a result, aggressive and premature cardiovascular disease. 23andMe’s report looks at some of the more common variants in people of European and Lebanese ancestry, as well as people from the “Old Order Amish” community. The variants in the report are also found in people of other ethnicities. Our team of scientists conducted an extensive review of the currently available peer-reviewed publications on the genetic variants associated with FH. We determined that those included in this report are among some of the more common in certain populations and well-studied.
“Through this report, 23andMe is providing individuals with potentially life-saving information about their risk for high LDL cholesterol levels associated with FH. We are grateful for the input from the FH Foundation on the patient journey and how we can continue to educate individuals about their risk for this often undiagnosed genetic condition,” said Arin Assero, Director of Advocacy at 23andMe.
<h6>FH and LDL </h6>
People with FH have very high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) — so-called “bad cholesterol.” This is because genetic variants, or mutations, associated with the condition decrease the liver&#8217;s ability to remove excess LDL cholesterol from the blood. The result is often much higher LDL levels in the bloodstream. This in turn can lead to cardiovascular disease and a higher risk for heart attack. Other factors influence a person’s chances for heart disease or high cholesterol such as smoking, diet, exercise, and weight. However 23andMe’s report focuses specifically on genetic factors for FH and its influence on the risk for high cholesterol and cardiovascular disease.
Importantly, since FH is an inherited condition, each child of a person with FH has a 50 percent chance of inheriting the disorder so it is essential to screen parents, siblings and children of a person diagnosed with FH. This will aid in finding others who may have inherited the condition. 
<h6>Limitations</h6>
There are limitations to the 23andMe report. It looks at  only a few select variants of the more than 1,000 associated with the condition. About 30-35 percent of people who are of European descent with a variant linked to FH have one of the variants in this report. In the case of individuals with FH of Lebanese ancestry, about 80 percent have one of the variants in this report. About 15-20 percent of Latinos and people of East Asian ancestry with a variant linked to FH have one of the variants in 23andMe&#8217;s report. 
Given the report’s limitations, many 23andMe customers will receive a 0 variant result. This does not mean they have no risk for the condition. It also doesn&#8217;t mean they should forgo regular screening for cholesterol particularly if they have a family history of high cholesterol or early heart disease. In addition, the report is unable to detect if a person has two copies of a variant. Having two copies of a variant  is associated with the more severe form of FH called homozygous FH. The FH Foundation can provide more resources on FH. It can also serve as a care navigator for individuals with a <a href="https://thefhfoundation.org/fh-genetic-test-results">positive or negative</a> test result.
There are currently effective treatments that can lower the risks associated with FH. However, early detection is critical. 23andMe and the FH Foundation are committed to raising awareness of familial hypercholesterolemia. We are working to advocate for access to early detection and treatment.

The 23andMe PGS test uses qualitative genotyping to detect select clinically relevant variants in the genomic DNA of adults from saliva for the purpose of reporting and interpreting genetic health risks. It is not intended to diagnose any disease. Your ethnicity may affect the relevance of each report and how your genetic health risk results are interpreted. Each genetic health risk report describes if a person has variants associated with a higher risk of developing a disease, but does not describe a person’s overall risk of developing the disease. The test is  not intended to tell you anything about your current state of health, or to be used to make medical decisions, including whether or not you should take a medication, how much of a medication you should take, or determine any treatment. The Familial Hypercholesterolemia genetic health risk report is indicated for reporting of one variant in the APOB gene and 23 variants in the LDLR gene and describes if a person has variants associated with an increased risk of developing very high LDL cholesterol, which can lead to heart disease.  The majority of the variants included in this report have been most studied in people of European and Lebanese descent, as well as in the Old Order Amish.

23andMe Offers a New Report on Familial Hypercholesterolemia

If even the idea of a boat trip triggers a bit of nausea, you may be able to partly blame it on your genetics.
23andMe scientists have identified more than 413 genetic variants associated with motion sickness — that queasy feeling some of us get riding in cars, planes or traveling on the sea.
23andMe now offers a report on a customer’s genetic predisposition for motion sickness. Using data from more than 480,000 customers who’ve participated in research, 23andMe’s new report analyzes a customer’s genetic data against variants associated with motion sickness. On top of using genetic factors the report also takes into account non-genetic factors such as a customers age, sex, and ancestry, and then reports back whether a customer is more or less likely to experience motion sickness.

<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/1080x1080-Motion-Sickness-1024x1024.png" alt="" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-26858" width="1024" height="1024" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/1080x1080-Motion-Sickness-1024x1024.png 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/1080x1080-Motion-Sickness-150x150.png 150w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/1080x1080-Motion-Sickness-300x300.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/1080x1080-Motion-Sickness-768x768.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/1080x1080-Motion-Sickness-880x880.png 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/1080x1080-Motion-Sickness-271x271.png 271w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/1080x1080-Motion-Sickness-372x372.png 372w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/1080x1080-Motion-Sickness-574x574.png 574w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/1080x1080-Motion-Sickness-980x980.png 980w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/1080x1080-Motion-Sickness.png 1080w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />
The sensation comes, in part, from one’s body trying to maintain balance. To keep our balance, we all rely on signals from multiple sources, both visual and physical, as well as signals from the vestibular system in our inner ear. When those sensory signals conflict — say our vision tells us we are sitting still, but we can feel ourselves moving in a car or on a boat — it can trigger feelings of nausea or dizziness. A person’s genetics may make them more or less susceptible to feeling motion sickness.
While seemingly trivial, it’s not for those who experience severe cases. And motion sickness has been found to be associated with several other more serious conditions. 23andMe previously published a<a href="https://academic.oup.com/hmg/article/24/9/2700/2385879"> study</a> that confirmed associations with such conditions as migraines, vertigo, and morning sickness.
This report, as well as the now more than two-dozen<a href="https://www.23andme.com/dna-health-ancestry/#toc-traits"> other trait reports</a> we offer within the <a href="https://www.23andme.com/dna-health-ancestry/"> Health + Ancestry</a> Service, are meant to give customers a bit more insight into the fascinating world of genetics. They also add to the understanding of how your DNA and environment interact to help influence all the many things that are part of who you are.

Feeling Woozy Over 23andMe’s New Report on Motion Sickness

23andMe received FDA clearance to report on the two most common genetic variants influencing what is called MUTYH-associated polyposis (MAP), a hereditary colorectal cancer syndrome.<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-26850" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/1200x628-MUTYH-2.5-300x157.png" alt="MUTYH-associated polyposis, a hereditary colorectal cancer syndrome" width="300" height="157" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/1200x628-MUTYH-2.5-300x157.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/1200x628-MUTYH-2.5-768x402.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/1200x628-MUTYH-2.5-1024x536.png 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/1200x628-MUTYH-2.5-880x461.png 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/1200x628-MUTYH-2.5-1180x618.png 1180w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/1200x628-MUTYH-2.5.png 1200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />
This new clearance is part of 23andMe&#8217;s ongoing efforts to work with the FDA to offer additional Genetic Health Risk reports as part of its <a href="https://www.23andme.com/dna-health-ancestry">Health + Ancestry Service</a>.
“We are committed to giving people affordable and direct access to important health information that can impact their lives,” said Anne Wojcicki, 23andMe CEO and co-founder. 
<h2>A Hereditary Colorectal Cancer Syndrom</h2>
The MAP report is not yet available, but as soon as it is ready for release, it will be offered to new Health + Ancestry Service customers and existing 23andMe Health + Ancestry Service customers genotyped on the company’s most recent platforms. Like the 23andMe BRCA1/BRCA2 (Selected Variants) Genetic Health Risk report, customers must first choose whether or not they want to receive this information.
If customers choose to view their report, they’ll go through an educational module to ensure they are informed about what they can learn from it and how to interpret the results. Customers also learn about the report&#8217;s limitations. Customers take a similar step to access other 23andMe Genetic Health Risk reports.
For example, information associated with the MAP report will clearly state that hereditary colorectal cancers only account for about 5 percent of all colorectal cancer cases. This is important to understand because not having one of the variants that 23andMe tests for does not mean that a customer does not have any risk for this kind of cancer. Additionally, this report does not look at variants associated with Lynch syndrome, which is the most common form of inherited colorectal cancer. Also, more than 100 variants in the MUTYH gene are <a href="https://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/diseases/10805/myh-associated-polyposis">linked to MAP.</a>
<h2>MUTYH and Genetic Risk for Colon Cancer</h2>
The two variants included in 23andMe’s MAP report account for the majority (about 80-90 percent) of MUTYH variants in people of Northern European descent. They are also the most prevalent in people with Northern European ancestry, at between 1 and 2 percent. These variants have also been found in people of other ethnicities.
Carrying both of these variants or having two copies of one of these variants increases the risk of developing colorectal cancer. If left unchecked, 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 for those who have just one variant is uncertain. That said, some studies suggest that the colorectal cancer risk may be slightly increased, particularly for those with a family history of colorectal cancer.
<h2>FDA Clearance</h2>
The FDA clearance for 23andMe’s MUTYH-Associated Polyposis Genetic Health Risk report demonstrates substantial equivalence, through the FDA’s 510(k) pathway, to its predicate device 23andMe’s BRCA1/BRCA2 (Selected Variants) Genetic Health Risk report.
This FDA clearance follows several years of work by 23andMe. It has led to four separate FDA de novo authorizations for direct-to-consumer genetic tests for carrier status, genetic health risk reports, select BRCA1 and BRCA2 variants and pharmacogenetic reports. Each has included an extensive FDA review process. During that process, 23andMe submitted studies and evidence demonstrating that our reports are scientifically valid and understandable for consumers, and we showed that the results are analytically reliable.
For this newest clearance, the MUTYH-Associated Polyposis Genetic Health Risk report adhered to the same standards used in our other reports. That includes ensuring greater than 99 percent accuracy and reports with key informational concepts that achieved 90 percent or greater comprehension in a demographically diverse population.

MUTYH-associated polyposis, a hereditary colorectal cancer syndrome

FDA Clearance for Hereditary Colorectal Cancer Report

(Editor&#8217;s note: 1/14/19) We want to clarify a few points on the science involved in the integration. Our science and research teams recognize that the data related to how genetics interacts with diet being studied. This program is not intended to suggest a specific diet based solely on one’s genetic information. 
Rather, by integrating information from 23andMe into Lark’s proven and peer-reviewed AI coaching programs for diabetes prevention and weight loss, there is simply an added layer of personalization for customers. The integration uses information from a number of reports already available to 23andMe customers. Those include 23andMe&#8217;s reports on Genetic Weight, Saturated Fat and Weight, Lactose Intolerance, Caffeine Consumption, <a href="https://www.23andme.com/topics/wellness/deep-sleep">Deep Sleep</a>, Sleep Movement, Bitter Taste and Sweet v. Salty Preference. 
The genetic interpretations presented in the programs are not being used as part of the major decision points in Lark’s recommendations. Instead, they serve as triggers or motivators to do things Lark would already suggest. For example, if your 23andMe report says you’re likely to be <a href="http://www.23andme.com/topics/wellness/lactose-intolerance/">lactose intolerant</a>, the Lark program might ask you if you would like lactose-free diet recommendations. 
To help you take the next step in your wellness journey, Lark and 23andMe have teamed up to offer customers the opportunity to integrate their genetic results into coaching programs to spur you toward your health goals this year.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Lark_blog_300x200_fitness@2x-1-300x200.jpg" alt="" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-26807" width="300" height="200" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Lark_blog_300x200_fitness@2x-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Lark_blog_300x200_fitness@2x-1.jpg 600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />Lark offers a new type of coaching program. This is built using artificial intelligence (AI) to help you make healthy lifestyle choices. Lark provides two options — a Wellness Program, for weight loss, and a CDC-recognized Diabetes Prevention Program. 
<h6>Digital Coaching</h6>
Both leverage your 23andMe genetic information using clinically validated A.I. to generate personalized suggestions for diet and exercise. These digital coaching programs are also 23andMe’s first forays into using genetic data to deliver these kinds of tailored recommendations. 
They could mark “a turning point for driving more effective behavior change,” said Robert Gabbay, Chief Medical Officer and Senior Vice President at Joslin Diabetes Center at Harvard and Lark Health’s Senior Medical Advisor.
<h6>Personalized Coaching</h6>
So how do you get access to this supportive and personalized coaching to help you reach your day-to-day health goals?
It&#8217;s simple enough for <a href="https://www.23andme.com/dna-health-ancestry">23andMe Health + Ancestry</a> customers to opt into and use the programs. But that ease of use belies the sophistication of what’s going on in the background.
The programs are personalized by 23andMe research that’s identified not just how genetics can impact weight. They also look at how lifestyle choices — for things like diet, exercise, and sleep — may play a role. The programs also integrate customers’ individual genetic information from several 23andMe weight and diet-related reports. These are used with Lark’s A.I. coaching program to serve up tailor-made recommendations for users. And best of all this helpful coach is available every day 24-7.
<h6>What does that really mean? <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Lark_blog_300x200_food@2x-300x200.jpg" alt="" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-26798" width="300" height="200" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Lark_blog_300x200_food@2x-300x200.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Lark_blog_300x200_food@2x.jpg 600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></h6>
It means that instead of just getting generic advice about eating less and exercising more. The application can, for example, use 23andMe’s Genetic Weight Report to rank the different impacts certain foods may have on an individual’s weight. Or the A.I. coach might make other personalized recommendations that are based on 23andMe reports that look at a person’s response to saturated fat, or lactose or their movement during sleep. And you can get that kind of personal advice any time you need it.
<h6>Here’s the breakdown on the Lark Apps: </h6>
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<li>The Wellness Program will tap into data from the 23andMe genetic reports, and the A.I. coach will focus on suggestions around nutrition, sleep, and exercise. The program can also seamlessly merge data from more than 70 other types of monitors or apps to incorporate that information that in turn can improve the personalization of the A.I. recommendations. To integrate Lark’s Wellness Program and use it with your 23andMe results, it will cost $19.99 a month. There is now a special introductory offer of just $14.99 per month.</li>
<li>The CDC-recognized Diabetes Prevention Program is a yearlong program meant to lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. This program includes specialized coaching, a digital scale, and a Fitbit, and some insurance providers cover it. You can find out if you are eligible by downloading  Lark and taking a survey. For those who do not qualify for insurance coverage, they can still self-pay for the Diabetes Prevention Program. The price for this self-pay option includes a digital scale but not a Fitbit.</li>
</ul>
<h6>Taking Action</h6>
Taken together these two new programs are an exciting opportunity for 23andMe Health + Ancestry customers. This is not just because these programs can help nudge people toward their health goals, but also because they offer an actionable way for customers to use their genetic results to make lifestyle changes, something customers tell us they want.
“Access to your genetic information is really just the beginning — using that information to prevent serious health consequences is the next critical step,” said Anne Wojcicki, CEO and co-founder of 23andMe. “Our collaboration with Lark helps 23andMe customers use their genetic information to take action and make lifestyle changes that positively impact health and wellness.”
Not yet a 23andMe Health + Ancestry customer, but you want to take this next step? Find out more <a href="https://www.23andme.com/dna-health-ancestry/">here</a>.
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<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe loading="lazy" width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yzisO72sUGU" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen">?</iframe></div>

Your Digital Health Coach Is Here

This week 23andMe added a new Carrier Status report on familial Mediterranean fever, a genetic disorder that can include periodic fevers and inflammation in the abdomen, chest or joints.
The Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) Carrier Status* report provides information on whether a customer has at least one of seven variants in the MEFV gene. These are not the only variants associated with the condition. However, these are common variants associated with this disorder in people of Arab, Armenian, Sephardic Jewish, and Turkish descent.
<h6>More on Familial Mediterranean Fever</h6>
People with familial Mediterranean fever often have two variants in the MEFV gene, and the disorder often shows up in childhood. Beyond periodic fevers and inflammation, typical symptoms may also include skin rashes. In some cases, FMF can lead to an abnormal buildup of protein in the kidneys.
Among the treatments for FMF are anti-inflammatory drugs that can be used to manage episodes of fever. On some occasions, doctors prescribe drugs to prevent fever attacks and kidney damage, especially for people with the M694V variant. 
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-26776" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Scientific-Detail-FMF-1024x870.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="870" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Scientific-Detail-FMF-1024x870.jpg 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Scientific-Detail-FMF-300x255.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Scientific-Detail-FMF-768x653.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Scientific-Detail-FMF-880x748.jpg 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Scientific-Detail-FMF.jpg 1172w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />This new Carrier Status report doesn’t diagnose familial Mediterranean fever. Instead, it reports on whether a customer is a carrier for at least one of seven variants in the MEFV gene associated with a risk for FMF.
<h6>Carrier Detection Rate</h6>
<div style="float: right; text-align: justified; width: 300px; background-color: #eee; padding: 15px; margin-left: 10px;">
<h6>What’s a Carrier Status* Report?</h6>
Carrier status tests are a type of genetic test used to find out if you carry a genetic change – or variant. For the types of conditions included in a carrier status test, having one genetic change – being a carrier – typically means you do not have that condition, but you could pass the variant on to your each of your children.Carrier status tests are typically offered for autosomal recessive conditions [or disorders]. For these conditions, a child needs to inherit a variant from both parents in order to have the condition. If both parents are carriers, each child has a one in four, or 25 percent, chance of being affected with the condition. 
(It’s important to note that this also means that each child has a 75 percent chance of not being affected.)Autosomal recessive conditions for which carrier testing is commonly offered by healthcare providers include cystic fibrosis, Tay-Sachs disease, and <a href="https://www.23andme.com/topics/carrier/sickle-cell-anemia">sickle cell anemia</a>, among many others.
</div>
The &#8220;carrier detection rate&#8221; for this report — which is the percentage of carriers of FMF who are expected to be identified by this test — is from 70 percent to more than 90 percent for people of Arab, Armenian, Sephardic Jewish, and Turkish descent.
The FMF report is the latest in a regular cadence of new health-related reports 23andMe offers <a href="https://www.23andme.com/dna-health-ancestry/">Health+Ancestry</a> Service customers, all of which meet FDA requirements. This brings the total number of <a href="https://www.23andme.com/dna-health-ancestry/#toc-carrierstatus">Carrier Status</a>* reports to 44.
23andMe also offers nine <a href="https://www.23andme.com/dna-health-ancestry/#toc-ghr">Genetic Health Risk</a>* reports, eight Wellness reports on such things as Genetic Weight and Sleep Movement, and more than two dozen different trait reports.
As with other health-related reports, 23andMe has a tutorial that customers can go through before viewing their Familial Mediterranean Fever Carrier Status report. In addition to the tutorial, the report itself offers details on the condition, the specific variants tested for and the scientific information supporting the report. There are also links to information about genetic counseling and support group resources.
<h6>Note </h6>
*The 23andMe PGS test uses qualitative genotyping to detect select clinically relevant variants in the genomic DNA of adults from saliva for the purpose of reporting and interpreting genetic health risks 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 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. The Familial Mediterranean Fever Carrier Status Report is indicated for the detection of seven (7) variants in the MEFV gene and is most relevant for people of Arab, Armenian, Sephardic, Jewish, and Turkish descent. 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>.

23andMe’s Report on Familial Mediterranean Fever

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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Health + Traits — Page 18