By Becca Krock, Product Scientist 
You might have noticed that 23andMe’s <a href="https://www.23andme.com/dna-ancestry/">Trait reports</a> have a new look. If you haven&#8217;t yet, go check them out. Genetics can&#8217;t tell your fortune, but they can be used to make pretty cool statistical predictions about the color of your eyes, <a href="https://www.23andme.com/topics/traits/cheek-dimples">whether you have dimples</a>, and your taste preferences. We redesigned the Trait reports after hearing from our customers that they wanted to learn more about the genetics behind their traits and why their genetic predictions might not always match their real-life traits. The new designs bring these ideas to the forefront with the help of vivid visuals and other features.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/eye-1024x683.png" alt="" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-26050" width="1024" height="683" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/eye-1024x683.png 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/eye-300x200.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/eye-768x512.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/eye-880x587.png 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/eye-1180x787.png 1180w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/eye.png 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />

<h5>What&#8217;s new?</h5>
The new Trait reports have:
<ul>
<li>a fresh face with colorful designs,</li>
<li>a new visual showing your results,</li>
<li>an interactive element that compares your predicted result with your actual trait,</li>
<li>a visual showing your DNA variants,</li>
<li>and expanded content explaining more about the &#8216;how&#8217; and &#8216;why&#8217; of each trait. </li>
</ul>

You can learn a lot by taking a closer look at these info-packed features. 

<h5>For every 100 people like you&#8230;</h5>
The first change you&#8217;ll notice is the look and feel of your results. For the most part your results themselves haven&#8217;t changed, but how we illustrate them has. We hope the new result graphics give you more insight into what your result really means, and how we created it.

Take the Bitter Taste report, for example: it turns out that some people are able to taste certain bitter chemicals, like molecules called PTC and PROP, that are similar to chemicals that occur naturally in food like raw broccoli and brussels sprouts, while other people can&#8217;t taste them. Those people are missing the taste sensors that their taste buds would need to detect this bitterness. So broccoli can taste different to two different people.

Let&#8217;s take a look through all the new features, starting with my own genetic results for the Bitter Taste report. Based on my genetics, I&#8217;m unlikely to be able to detect these bitter chemicals. Below my result is an image comparing me to 100 people with the same genetic profile for this trait. It shows that for every 100 23andMe research participants with the same genetic result as me, 65 have told us raw broccoli or brussels sprouts don&#8217;t taste bitter to them, and 35 say they do taste bitter. 
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Becca-Results-1024x856.png" alt="" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-26052" width="1024" height="856" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Becca-Results-1024x856.png 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Becca-Results-300x251.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Becca-Results-768x642.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Becca-Results-880x736.png 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Becca-Results-1180x987.png 1180w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Becca-Results.png 1232w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />You can learn from this image that people with genetics like mine have a 65 percent chance of being unable to taste the bitterness in broccoli and brussels sprouts. Since this likelihood is greater than 50 percent, that&#8217;s the outcome predicted for me: &#8220;unlikely to detect certain bitter tastes.&#8221; As it turns out, that is true for me. I tested my sensitivity to these chemicals using at-home PTC taste test strips. One of my PTC-perceiving colleagues tried one and immediately grimaced at the bitterness, while I didn&#8217;t taste anything at all.
&nbsp;
At the same time, this data also shows that I still have a 35 percent chance of having the opposite result. So what would it mean if I actually were able to detect these bitter tastes? I would fall in that smaller group, the 35 percent of people with my genetics who buck the trend. 
&nbsp;
<h5>When your most likely result doesn&#8217;t match your actual trait</h5>
If you&#8217;re one of the people with the less common result for your genetics, the next new feature is tailor-made for you. This interactive element unpacks some reasons why you might be the way you are. Below the result image is a link that reads &#8220;Do broccoli or brussels sprouts taste bitter to you? Click here.&#8221; Clicking on this link opens a dialogue box.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Do-Raw-Broccoli-1024x701.png" alt="" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-26053" width="1024" height="701" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Do-Raw-Broccoli-1024x701.png 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Do-Raw-Broccoli-300x205.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Do-Raw-Broccoli-768x526.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Do-Raw-Broccoli-880x602.png 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Do-Raw-Broccoli-1180x808.png 1180w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Do-Raw-Broccoli.png 1198w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />For the Bitter Taste report, if I answered that I actually do perceive the bitterness in broccoli and brussels sprouts, it would tell me that I have the more unusual outcome. I could also learn about factors other than genetics — like age, sex, or culture and life experiences — that could have the opposite effect from your genetics. 
&nbsp;
<h5>Behind the scenes with your genetics</h5>
The next new item in the report gives you a glimpse into how we calculate your result. Different Trait reports are powered by different DNA differences, or genetic variants. Some traits are strongly influenced by just one or a few genetic variants, while other traits are influenced by dozens or more genetic variants. Bitter Taste is an example of a trait that&#8217;s strongly affected by just one variant: 
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/How-We-Calculate-2-1024x455.png" alt="" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-26054" width="1024" height="455" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/How-We-Calculate-2-1024x455.png 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/How-We-Calculate-2-300x133.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/How-We-Calculate-2-768x341.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/How-We-Calculate-2-880x391.png 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/How-We-Calculate-2-1180x524.png 1180w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/How-We-Calculate-2.png 1274w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />The image shows a diagram of Becca&#8217;s two copies of chromosome number 7, the chromosome that this genetic variant marker happens to be on. It also shows the approximate location of this genetic marker, and the DNA variants she has there, called her genotype. 
&nbsp;
<h5>When traits get complex</h5>
Many traits are genetically complex, meaning they&#8217;re influenced by not just one, but many genetic variants. The taste preference that’s detailed in 23andMe’s <a href="https://www.23andme.com/topics/traits/sweet-salty/">Sweet vs. Salty report</a> is one example of a complex trait. 
&nbsp;
For reports like this, there are two parts of the &#8220;How did we calculate your result?&#8221; section. The first part summarizes all the genetic variants that went into your result, along with any other factors we also took into account. These other factors can include your age, sex, and a number called the &#8220;intercept&#8221; that goes into the math calculating your result. (The intercept value is the same for everyone, but differs for each trait.) 
&nbsp;
Let&#8217;s take a look at the image that summarizes all those factors. This one is taken from the Sweet vs. Salty report of our scientist Chelsea, who is predicted to prefer salty snacks over sweet ones. (We were half right — Chelsea says she loves all snacks equally!)
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/How-We-Calculate.jpg" alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-26055" width="659" height="445" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/How-We-Calculate.jpg 659w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/How-We-Calculate-300x203.jpg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 659px) 100vw, 659px" />The green bar is longer than the blue bar, showing that the factors that make Chelsea likely to prefer salty snacks outweigh the factors that make her likely to prefer sweet ones. The different contributions of genetics versus other factors are distinguished with bold versus pale colors. The bold blue and green show the contribution of her genetics to her likelihoods of each possible outcome, and the pale blue and green show the contribution of the other factors. 
&nbsp;
The second part of this section breaks down the genetic factors and maps them on to the 23 chromosomes: 
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Breakdown-1024x513.png" alt="" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-26056" width="1024" height="513" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Breakdown-1024x513.png 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Breakdown-300x150.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Breakdown-768x385.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Breakdown-880x441.png 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Breakdown-1180x591.png 1180w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Breakdown.png 1522w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />Reports like Sweet vs. Salty show the locations of all the genetic variants included in that report. The effect of your genetic variants at each markers is shown as one dot on the chromosomes. Genetic variants that tip Chelsea&#8217;s result toward preferring sweet tastes are shown in blue, and genetic variants that tip her result back toward preferring salty tastes are shown in green. 
&nbsp;
But wait… there&#8217;s more. The size of the dots is scaled to show how strong of an effect that genetic variant has. Bigger dots have a bigger effect on the trait prediction. For Chelsea, there&#8217;s one large green dot on chromosome 19 that&#8217;s having a big impact on her result. 
&nbsp;
Whew! That was a lot. Spending a little time on these images can reward you with so much knowledge about yourself (and genetics and probabilities)! And now that we&#8217;ve walked through a couple examples, you&#8217;ve got the gist of them all. 
&nbsp;
<h5>The power of 23andMe research</h5>
One of the coolest things about our Trait reports, if we do say so ourselves, is that they were all created using the survey responses of 23andMe research participants. We sent survey questions asking our research participants about their taste preferences, hair color, <a href="https://www.23andme.com/topics/traits/finger-length-ratio">finger length</a>, and more. They answered. And then we used that information to discover brand-new genetic associations that power the algorithms behind your predictions. 
&nbsp;
Our customers&#8217; enthusiasm for participating in research is what made many of these Trait reports possible. These new versions give even more of this research back to you.
&nbsp;

Becca Krock

Your Traits Never Looked Better

It may have been a coincidence but with Valentine’s Day just around the corner, one night a few weeks ago a band of thieves nicked 44 tons of chocolate, worth about half a million dollars.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-20323" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/HiRes-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/HiRes-300x300.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/HiRes-150x150.jpg 150w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/HiRes-768x768.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/HiRes-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/HiRes-880x880.jpg 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/HiRes-1180x1180.jpg 1180w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/HiRes-271x271.jpg 271w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/HiRes-372x372.jpg 372w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/HiRes-574x574.jpg 574w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/HiRes-980x980.jpg 980w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />
German chocolate.
Maybe these guys pulled the wrong heist. Perhaps all this focus on one confection at this time of year is misplaced.
Do we all really love chocolate that much?
Being the nerds that we are, we looked at the data.
First, we actually do have data on chocolate. Turns out most people we surveyed prefer dark chocolate to milk chocolate — 52 percent versus 48 percent. We don’t have data about whether any of those same people like marzipan inside their chocolates, yuck.
But we do know from the data that among those who eat chocolate — most of us — more than 35 percent eat some chocolate at least once a week. About 18 percent said they had a bit of chocolate every single day, and then there were a few that may need an intervention. About two percent of those surveyed said they eat chocolate several times a day.
OK, so that seems to settle it people really like chocolate, right?
Not so fast.
Another of our surveys asked research participants what they reached for when they wanted to nosh on a snack, and a majority of them passed on sweet stuff, like chocolate, and went for salty snacks.
About 58 percent of the more than 500,000 customers who answered the survey said they preferred salty over sweet. The percentages skew a little more toward men liking salty a bit more than women, but even among women, 56 percent say they go for a salty treat over a sweet one.
So maybe consider something beyond just a box of chocolates for the love of your life this Valentine’s Day.
As for those thieves, maybe they should have ripped off a bunch of pretzels instead. We hear they make good ones in Germany.

23andMe Blog

23andMe Blog Team

23andMine

Even after a best-selling book and countless articles, few of us know the name Henrietta Lacks — but we should.
<div id="attachment_26005" style="width: 260px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-26005" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Henrietta_Lacks_1920-1951.jpg" alt="" class="size-full wp-image-26005" width="250" height="362" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Henrietta_Lacks_1920-1951.jpg 250w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Henrietta_Lacks_1920-1951-207x300.jpg 207w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 250px) 100vw, 250px" />Henrietta Lacks</div>
The young African American mother of five, who died in 1951 of an aggressive form of cervical cancer, has remained a hidden figure in our history. Yet her contributions to science — in the form of the human cancer cells cultured from her body — have transformed medicine. These immortal “HeLa cells”, as scientists dubbed them, have been vital for the development of everything from the polio vaccine, to chemotherapy drugs, HPV treatments, in-vitro fertilization and gene mapping. And the cells are still being used today, critical in important research. It’s distressing to learn now that at the time it never occured to doctors or scientists to even ask Henrietta or her family for permission.
This week 23andMe participated in an event to honor Henrietta Lacks’ contribution to science. Put together by <a href="http://www.aachac.org/">African American Community Health Advisory Committee,</a> in partnership with the San Francisco-Peninsula Alumnae Chapter, <a href="http://www.dstsfpa.org/">Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc</a>., and the <a href="https://www.smchealth.org/division-public-health-policy-and-planning">County of San Mateo,</a> California, the event included two members of the Henrietta’s family in part to help bring awareness of health issues for people of color. 
The tragedy of Henrietta’s death, and the loss experienced by her husband and children, was compounded by the fact that no one ever told her family that her cells had been taken and cultured for research. Major breakthroughs were made, and so were billions of dollars, but her family — who lived in the shadow of the world-renowned John’s Hopkins Hospital where some of this research took place — was kept in the dark for decades. They first learned about what was happening when <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-23611189">scientists reached out </a>to them for additional blood samples. And in an irony of this story, while Henrietta’s cells were so vital for medical research, many of her family members lived without basic health insurance. At the event this week, her grandson Frank Lacks was there to encourage people to learn from her story. The lesson isn’t that underrepresented people should walk away from participating in this kind of research, said Frank, they should be demanding a seat at the table so they too can benefit from it.
Henrietta’s story, so ably told in<a href="http://rebeccaskloot.com/"> Rebecca Skloot</a>’<a href="http://rebeccaskloot.com/">s</a> 2010 book<a href="http://rebeccaskloot.com/the-immortal-life/"> The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks</a> and in a new<a href="http://www.hbo.com/movies/the-immortal-life-of-henrietta-lacks"> HBO Films movie</a> starring Oprah Winfrey, is both moving and important for finally recognizing the contribution of this hidden hero. 
Her story also reminds us of how far we’ve come, and how important one person, like Henrietta, could be for research. It also highlights how much more needs to be done to improve health research in underrepresented populations.
After years of developing 23andMe’s unique research model — one that enlists people as participants in research, not subjects to it — we’ve learned that people want to participate in important science, and more than 80 percent of our customers choose to participate in research. But our research participants also want to know and have control over how their information is being used. They want the choice to participate, or not, an option Henrietta never had. They do not want someone else making that choice for them. They want to know what happens to their data, and when a discovery is made, they want to hear about it. 23andMe works toward being as transparent with our own customers as possible, sharing with them information about research we do using customer data, and giving customers control over whether or not they want to share their data. 23andMe also gives participants the option of opting out of research at any time. For more please read our<a href="https://www.23andme.com/about/privacy/"> privacy statement</a>,<a href="https://www.23andme.com/about/tos/"> terms of service</a>, our <a href="https://www.23andme.com/about/consent/">consent form</a>, or visit our bibliography cataloguing  <a href="https://www.23andme.com/publications/">our research</a>. 
Henrietta didn’t just help power scientific research: Her story helped transform how researchers treat people who participate in scientific studies. Research on human subjects now must be overseen by independent review boards to ensure that participants understand the research being done with their information, that they are not harmed by that research, and that their interests are protected. 
For all of that and more we owe our thanks to Henrietta, and we should each learn more about her story. It was also a fitting way to begin Black History Month.
&nbsp;
<h5>To Learn More</h5>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://henriettalacksfoundation.org/">Henrietta Lacks Foundation</a></li>
<li><a href="http://rebeccaskloot.com/">Rebecca Skloot</a>, author of the book The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks</li>
<li><a href="http://www.hbo.com/movies/the-immortal-life-of-henrietta-lacks">HBO Films “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks”</a></li>
<li><a href="https://directorsblog.nih.gov/2013/08/07/hela-cells-a-new-chapter-in-an-enduring-story/#more-1902">HeLa Cells: A New Chapter in an Enduring Story</a>, blog by NIH Director Francis Collins</li>
<li>NIH Henrietta Lacks Timeline</li>
</ul>

Honoring Henrietta Lacks

Over the last decade, more and more people have embraced a gluten-free diet, but their motivations often differ.

Some of these people might have wheat allergies or gluten intolerance. But a small percentage of people have a condition called <a href="https://www.23andme.com/topics/health-predispositions/celiac-disease">celiac disease.</a> For someone with celiac disease gluten triggers an immune response that damages the small intestine. This can affect the absorption of nutrients and lead to painful digestive problems.

<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Celiac_1-1024x535.png" alt="" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-25801" width="1024" height="535" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Celiac_1-1024x535.png 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Celiac_1-300x157.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Celiac_1-768x401.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Celiac_1-880x460.png 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Celiac_1-1180x617.png 1180w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Celiac_1.png 1200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />
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<h6>New 23andMe Report on Celiac Disease</h6>
This week 23andMe released a new genetic health risk report on celiac disease.*  The new report looks at two genetic variants — rs2187668 and rs7454108 — that are linked to the HLA-DQ2.5 and HLA-DQ8 haplotypes associated with higher risk for celiac. 
A haplotype is a group of genes inherited together from a single parent. People with one or both of these two haplotypes account for about 95 percent of all of celiac disease cases. So if you have celiac disease, it’s likely you have one of these variants. 
But it’s important to note that having one of these variants doesn’t mean you will develop celiac disease. Although 15 to 30 percent of all people have one of these risk variants, only about 3 percent of people with one of these variants develop celiac disease. If you don’t have one of these haplotypes it is very unlikely that you will develop celiac disease.
<h6>A Gluten-Free Diet</h6>
But knowing you have one of these variants can be important especially for those who believe they have symptoms or additional risk factors. If they learn they have at least one of the risk variants, the report could help them follow-up with a doctor. A doctor  may recommend more rigorous screening. For most people with celiac disease, the most effective treatment is adhering to a completely gluten-free diet. This can help alleviate symptoms and allow the small intestine to heal.

It’s possible to have gluten sensitivity and not have celiac disease. This report does not cover non-celiac disease gluten sensitivity. 23andMe doesn’t currently have reports on food allergies or other sensitivities to gluten.

23andMe&#8217;s Celiac Disease report adds to a growing list of valuable and actionable <a href="https://www.23andme.com/dna-health-ancestry">genetic health risk reports</a> we offer customers. 

*The Celiac Disease genetic health risk report (i) is indicated for reporting of the rs2187668 variant in the HLA-DQA1 gene, which tags the HLA-DQ2.5 haplotype; and the rs7454108 variant near the HLA-DQB1 gene, which tags the HLA-DQ8 haplotype, (ii) describes if a person has variants associated with an increased risk of developing celiac disease, and (iii) is most relevant for people of European descent.

New 23andMe Report on Celiac Disease

Last week, 23andMe released two new genetic health risk reports for customers.<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright wp-image-25671 size-medium" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/eye.001-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/eye.001-300x225.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/eye.001-768x576.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/eye.001-880x660.jpg 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/eye.001.jpg 1024w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />
Taken together, 23andMe’s Genetic Health Risk reports remain the only direct-to-consumer genetic health reports authorized by the FDA. They can tell you about genetic variants that may increase your risk of <a href="https://www.23andme.com/dna-health-ancestry/">developing certain serious health conditions</a>, such as late-onset Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s.
The two new reports focus on two other conditions: <a href="https://www.23andme.com/topics/health-predispositions/amd">Age-related macular degeneration</a> (AMD), and <a href="https://www.23andme.com/topics/health-predispositions/hereditary-hemochromatosis/">Hereditary Hemochromatosis</a>. AMD is a leading cause of irreparable vision loss and blindness in older Americans. Hemochromatosis, which is a genetic condition characterized by the absorption of too much dietary iron, can lead to iron overload and which in turn can cause damage to the liver, heart, and pancreas.
These reports look at genetic variants with well-established and meaningful effects on risk.
<h5>Age-related Macular Degeneration</h5>
Our new report on AMD looks at the two most common variants associated with the risk of developing the condition — Y402H and A69S.
There are two kinds of AMD— Dry AMD, which progresses more slowly and is milder, and it accounts for about 90 percent of all cases; and Wet AMD, which is more severe, progresses rapidly and accounts for the remaining cases.
A common symptom as AMD progresses is the development of a blurred area near the center of vision. Over time, the blurred area may grow larger or individuals may develop blank spots in their central vision. In addition objects may be less bright as the condition progresses.
Genetics plays a major role in developing both forms of AMD, although other factors also influence the risk, including diet, smoking, age, ethnicity (this report is most relevant to people of European ancestry) and exposure to sunlight. Lifestyle changes, like eating more leafy green vegetables, wearing sunglasses, and not smoking, can help reduce the risk of AMD.
While there are no treatments that can successfully reverse the damage from AMD, there are treatments that can help slow its progression. Researchers are looking to see if genetics influences the effectiveness of some of these treatments, such as the use of the injectable drug ranibizumab.
<h5>Hereditary Hemochromatosis</h5>
The 23andMe Genetic Health Risk report for Hereditary Hemochromatosis covers the most common forms of the condition caused by variants in the HFE gene. The HFE gene contains instructions for making a protein that helps to regulate the amount of iron absorbed into the body. The two genetic variants used in 23andMe&#8217;s report — C282Y and H63D — cause 91 percent of all HFE-related hereditary hemochromatosis. But, having these two variants doesn’t mean one will develop the condition.
Hemochromatosis tends to develop in older men, and it is most common with men of European ancestry. Women rarely develop the condition. With sometimes-vague symptoms that include fatigue, joint pain, and darkening of the skin, hemochromatosis can be hard to diagnose without genetic testing, such as this. But it is very treatable — often by regular blood draws — and if caught early, lasting damage to the liver, heart or other organs can be prevented.

23andMe Adds New Genetic Health Risk Reports

<div id="attachment_25595" style="width: 294px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-25595" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Fah-284x300.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-25595 size-medium" width="284" height="300" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Fah-284x300.jpg 284w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Fah.jpg 346w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 284px) 100vw, 284px" />Fah getting ready for his trek to Everest base camp. Everest can be seen in the background.</div>
On vacation trekking the Himalayas with his partner, 23andMe computational biologist Fah Sathirapongsasuti didn’t just take snapshots of surrounding peaks, he also did a little science at 17,000 feet.
As he hoofed along the trail to Everest base camp, Fah recorded the toll of hiking at altitude took on his body, monitoring his heart rate, the oxygen saturation in his blood, the number of calories he burned, and his disrupted sleep patterns.
“There were a few days that I felt pretty miserable,” he said.
Collecting data on vacation might not be on the top of your trip itinerary, but Fah saw an opportunity. He saw a chance to record in real time and with real data, the impact of altitude on the human body. And, he thought if enough people like him recorded their data and pooled it together, perhaps he could learn something more about why some of us do better than others at higher elevations. (You can see morea about how he tracked his data <a href="https://scholar.harvard.edu/fah/science-little-altitude">here</a>, or look at the sidebar to learn more about how you could track your own data if you’re planning a trip to higher elevations.)
“I don’t think you need to be a geek or a scientist to enjoy collecting data during your vacation,” said Fah. “Our ability to adapt to foreign environments such as high altitude is a testament to the wonder of the human body. Quantifying it will help you see and appreciate your own body more.”

<div style="float: right; text-align: justified; width: 350px; background-color: #eee; padding: 15px; margin-left: 10px;">
Fah&#8217;s DIY Altitude Science Field Guide 
I don’t think you need to be a geek or a scientist to enjoy collecting data during your vacation. Our ability to adapt to foreign environments such as high altitude is a testament to the wonder of the human body. Quantifying it will help you see and appreciate your body more. Plus, monitoring your blood oxygen level (SpO2) during high altitude trekking can literally save your life!
My data from Everest Base Camp Trekking can be found <a href="https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1LQA3bKR-fcssExZcvDPMyKOgIzIgahPcjjP12krvqjY/edit?usp=sharing">here</a>. If you are planning a trip up the mountains, to elevations higher than 9,000 feet, I’ve outlined how you too can track this data.
What to track?
If you are traveling to a “very high altitude” — defined as anything higher than 11,500 ft (e.g. Mt Whitney, Machu Picchu, or Mount Kilimanjaro) — there are a few experiments you can try. 
I found that the oxygen saturation in my blood, now easily measured using a pulse oximeter that can be clipped to your finger and also tracks your pulse rate. 
The key here is to record at three consistent times each day:

<ol>
<li>On arrival at your resting point (e.g. campsite or , lodge)</li>
<li>Before bed</li>
<li>Morning, within the first hour after waking up</li>
</ol>
When recording the data, you should also make note of the elevation, and whether you have any symptoms of altitude sickness. For me, that amounted to nausea, dizziness, restless sleep and blurred vision.  Beyond those three key points of measuring your blood oxygen, you should also measure immediately after exertion, that could include hiking or climbing or skiing. Whatever you are doing at elevation that is physically taxing.  Record the exercise. Measure your heart rate and SpO2 immediate after exercise. Keep repeatedly measuring every 30 seconds after you’ve finished the “exercise” until your heart rate returns to normal. For me, this was instructive because I was able to see that I could recover even from the most strenuous exertions relatively quickly with a relatively  If you are going to a moderately high altitude location (4,900-11,500 ft), such as Aspen or Lake Tahoe, it is less likely that you will experience altitude sickness., But you may observe changes in your physiology especially during an exercise.  You might consider doing some strenuous exercise such as a sprint and measure your SpO2.  You might be surprised by how low it can get.
What You’ll Need 
Like any good experiment you’ll need a few things to ensure you can record good data. You&#8217;lld need a good pulse oximeter.  There are several brands.  The one I used is iHealth Air Pulse Oximeter available on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/iHealth-Pulse-Oximeter-Apple-Android/dp/B00D7MDXCU">Amazon</a>. In addition you&#8217;ll need a fitness tracker.  There are several acceptable, each with its own features and quirks.  I use Fitbit Charge HR, mostly for the balance between price and features.  Make sure it has continuous heart rate monitor and accelerometer (for steps and elevation gain estimate). 
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Although we can acclimatize to exertion at elevation, some people adapt to life at higher altitudes better than others. Sherpas, the ethnic group that has lived for thousands of years in the Himalayas, have a genetic advantage for life in the thin oxygen air of their homelands. So do Tibetans. Their genetic advantage is something they inherited from our ancient human cousins, the<a href="https://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v512/n7513/full/nature13408.html"> Denisovians</a>, more than 40,000 years ago. Variants in two genes EPAS1 and EGLN1 are prevalent in Tibetans. Among everyone else, it’s hard to predict who will be get sick at high elevations and who won’t. 
Most people know that climbing Everest is fraught with peril, but fewer know that just trekking to base camp can pose a danger due to altitude sickness. Although there aren&#8217;t accurate statistics on the number of trekkers hit by altitude sickness on the trail, a few die each year from what’s called Acute Mountain Sickness or underlying conditions that are exacerbated by exertion at altitude. But currently there is no good way to determine who might get sick and who won’t.
Fah and his partner were careful and prepared for their trek. Both of them are in shape, but even so they had days that were very difficult. Fah thought this was likely so he wanted to record the data to see how his body changed during the hike, and to see how it affected him differently than others.
“I know what I felt, but I wanted to see the data too,” he said.
There were some obvious data points. The higher Fah went, the lower the oxygen saturation in his blood.
“Duh,” he joked.
Although it wasn’t surprising, the data dramatically illustrated the impact of altitude. As Fah crossed the pass between Lobuche and Gorakshep at more than 16,000 feet, his oxygen saturation dropped below 80 percent, and his resting heart rate spiked upward. He got headaches, felt dizzy and his vision blurred. Fah slept less. None of that is atypical. In fact having your oxygen saturation drop below 80 percent for an extended period is very dangerous.
Over the week long trip, Fah slowly acclimatized to the higher elevations.  And his numbers got better, but in general, there was a direct correlation between how bad he felt and elevation gain. Beyond what he felt and what he was recording, Fah also knew that there are many studies <a href="https://www.nap.edu/read/5197/chapter/24"> on this</a>.
Out of curiosity Fah also added one other data point, he measured the oxygen saturation of three of the Sherpas helping to ferry some of the supplies for the trekkers. On average their oxygen levels were three to five percentage points higher than Fah, and they were much more comfortable.
As Andrew Murry, a physiologist at the University of Cambridge in the UK <a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2017/05/28/530204187/the-science-behind-the-super-abilities-of-sherpas">recently told NPR</a>:
“You don&#8217;t need to spend very long in that part of the world to see that the people living there, particularly the Sherpas, perform extremely well at altitude — a lot better than we do.&#8221;
Over time many of us can acclimate ourselves to exertions at higher altitudes, improving our blood oxygen saturation levels, for instance. And Fah was able to see how, even in the short time he was in Nepal, his body acclimated itself to the higher elevations.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Graph-SpO2-1024x612.png" alt="" class="aligncenter wp-image-25596 size-large" width="1024" height="612" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Graph-SpO2-1024x612.png 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Graph-SpO2-300x179.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Graph-SpO2-768x459.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Graph-SpO2-880x526.png 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Graph-SpO2-1180x705.png 1180w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Graph-SpO2.png 1388w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />
Oxygen saturation (SpO2, gray line) decreased as the elevation (blue line) increased. Symptoms of altitude sickness such as headaches, blurry vision, and sleeplessness are common when SpO2 dropped below 80, between Day 5 and Day 8.
But even acclimatizing won’t entirely relieve the symptoms and it’s still difficult to predict why some people get sick, and altitudes and others do not. So Fah decided to invite others with plans to trek at elevation — 11,000 feet or higher — to record their data.
“The lesson I learn as a scientist at 23andMe is that crowd-sourcing can give us the power to make a discovery at an unprecedented rate and scale. Together we might be able to discover a way to predict and prevent altitude sickness,” he said.

Science With A Little Altitude

23andMe recently started offering customers new Genetic Health Risk reports that have received<a href="https://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm551185.htm"> FDA authorization</a>. Below we’ve highlighted some important features in these reports to help you get <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright size-full wp-image-25282" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/1CEfC9m9AbODwKq19WcXmxVggXmrpuOA-1.png" alt="" width="355" height="600" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/1CEfC9m9AbODwKq19WcXmxVggXmrpuOA-1.png 355w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/1CEfC9m9AbODwKq19WcXmxVggXmrpuOA-1-178x300.png 178w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 355px) 100vw, 355px" />more out of them.


While the reports may have important information about your health, they also could raise issues you hadn’t considered. All customers are provided details on the type of information conveyed in the new reports before they decide whether to opt into seeing them or not.


For some serious conditions that do not currently have effective treatments or cures — namely <a href="http://www.23andme.com/topics/health-predispositions/late-onset-alzheimers/">late-onset Alzheimer’s disease</a> and Parkinson’s disease — 23andMe customers must take an additional step to opt-in to viewing these two reports. Customers can choose not to view them but still see all other health reports if they wish.
The extra step to opt-in to the reports on late-onset Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease is meant to ensure that customers consider carefully whether or not they want to know about their genetic risk for these serious conditions.
If a customer moves forward with accessing their health information, it&#8217;s important to know that these reports are not intended to diagnose a disease or condition. Having a variant associated with an increased risk for a condition doesn’t mean you’ll get that condition.
Conversely, if you don’t have the variant it doesn’t mean you are free of risk. Your genetic risk for these conditions is but one of many factors, such as lifestyle, environment and family history, that play a role. (As with any test, it is also possible to receive a “Not Determined” result. This is rare, and can be caused by random test error or other factors that interfere with the test.)
Another important aspect of these reports is that 23andMe doesn’t test for all the possible genetic variants that could influence risk for these conditions. Even if a person&#8217;s report says that no variants were detected, that person could still have a variant not covered by the test that may affect risk for the condition. 23andMe&#8217;s reports include only variants that can be detected and validated on our genotyping chip, and the reports do not include many rare variants not available on our chip or variants that have not yet been discovered.

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<h5>
About the Reports</h5>

Each report is broken into a similar structure that includes your results, an explanation of what they mean, an overview of the condition, other factors that may influence risk, suggested next steps, and additional resources. This is all done in clear and easy to understand language, and the reports are structured in a way that allows you to go deeper into different sections to learn more if you wish.


The Overview page summarizes a person&#8217;s result, such as the number of variants detected and whether this is associated with increased risk, and provides brief but important points for understanding what the result means. This page also includes important information about what the test does and doesn&#8217;t do, and how a person&#8217;s ethnicity may matter. More information about the condition, including how common it is, typical signs and symptoms, and other risk factors are also highlighted. Many of these sections provide links to the Scientific Details page where customers can find more information and supporting references. The Overview page also provides quick links to genetic counseling, frequently asked questions, and printing to share with a healthcare professional.<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-25286" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/1678_YQyfY6wqQPHf-RpZudNM6mTBLzQ.png" alt="" width="600" height="325" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/1678_YQyfY6wqQPHf-RpZudNM6mTBLzQ.png 600w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/1678_YQyfY6wqQPHf-RpZudNM6mTBLzQ-300x163.png 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px" />
In the Scientific Details page you’ll find more information about the genes and variants tested, health risk estimates associated with those variants in different populations, and clinical and analytical performance of the test. There will also be detailed information about other factors that influence whether a person develops the condition. All scientific references supporting the information in the report are provided at the bottom of this page.

<h5>
Understanding Risk Estimates</h5>

Our Genetic Health Risk reports focus on the general level of risk associated with a person&#8217;s genetic result. So for example, the report might state that you are &#8220;not likely at risk,&#8221; or that you are at &#8220;increased risk&#8221; based on the variants tested. But in some cases the report may also provide specific numerical estimates of the risk. These estimates may also be described in more detail in the &#8220;Test Interpretation&#8221; section of the Scientific Details page, and depend on available scientific studies. For this reason, the exact types of risk estimates, and the populations or ethnicities that they apply to, differ from report to report.

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&nbsp;

The types of risk estimates found in our reports may include lifetime risks, odds ratios, and likelihood ratios. Lifetime risk estimates are the most straightforward to understand — they simply represent the chances of developing the condition by a certain age. Similarly, incidence represents the number of people diagnosed with a condition in a given time period. Odds ratios and likelihood ratios are a bit different in that they reflect the difference in risk between one scenario and another scenario. Odds ratios usually compare the odds of a disease or condition in one group (such as people with a risk variant) to the odds in a reference group (such as people without the risk variant). Likelihood ratios compare the probability of a disease or condition given a test result to the probability prior to knowing the test result.
All types of risk estimates are applicable only to the populations or ethnicities specified in each report, though people of other ethnicities can view the information for educational purposes.
An important aspect to understand about risk estimates is that, being estimates, they have some amount of uncertainty. This is often conveyed using a &#8220;confidence interval,&#8221; which shows the range of possible likely values for that risk estimate. The wider that range, the less certain the specific risk estimate is.  The confidence intervals for risk estimates based on published studies can be found in the references for those studies. The confidence intervals for risk estimates calculated by 23andMe can be found by clicking the button &#8220;See 95 percent confidence intervals&#8221; underneath those risk tables.

<h5>
A Final Note</h5>

We strive to help our customers get the most out of their experience, and so each Genetic Health Risk report includes Frequently Asked Questions tailored to each customer&#8217;s results, in addition to our Customer Care center which is always available.
While 23andMe Genetic Health Risk reports do not diagnose diseases or conditions, they do include potentially important information that you could use to help be more proactive about your health and engage in your own wellness. That may also include talking to your doctor, a genetic counselor or other health professional. <a href="http://aboutgeneticcounselors.com">Genetic counselors</a> in particular are well-suited to help people who have questions about genetic risks and genetic testing. If you have specific questions or concerns about your health, we encourage you to contact a healthcare professional.

Learn More About 23andMe’s New Genetic Health Risk Reports

Large scale genetic and non-genetic data plus machine learning, used to provide personalized portraits of how genes and lifestyle impact weight<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-25105" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Genetic-Weight-report-300x297.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="297" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Genetic-Weight-report-300x297.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Genetic-Weight-report-150x150.jpg 150w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Genetic-Weight-report-768x760.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Genetic-Weight-report-1024x1013.jpg 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Genetic-Weight-report-880x871.jpg 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Genetic-Weight-report.jpg 1154w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />
Have you ever wondered if it&#8217;s your genes keeping you from fitting into your jeans?
<h6> Not Just Genes</h6>
You&#8217;re not alone, and plenty of research shows that the genetic cards we are dealt at birth play an important role not just in our weight but in how much our bodies respond to diet and exercise. Our weight is determined by a complex combination of lifestyle, environment, and genes. 
 Armed with a collection of data from over 600,000 research participants, 23andMe scientists used machine learning techniques to estimate BMI based on genetics. Key results from these analyses also showed that lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise may affect weight. That affect is also dependent on a person’s genetic makeup.
<h6> What is the Genetic Weight Report</h6>
This research resulted in a new, first-of-its kind Genetic Weight report. It incorporates both genetics and lifestyle and calculates a person’s  genetic predisposition to weigh more or less than average. The report also provides insight into which lifestyle factors might make the biggest difference for a person’s own weight. 
 This report breaks new ground because it&#8217;s the first time that 23andMe scientists have been able to leverage our internal research data. This is an immense amount of information generously contributed by research participants for a health-related report. It is based on over 300 variants found to be associated with weight in 23andMe&#8217;s own database. It also customizes results based on age, sex, and ancestry.
<h6> Gene-by-Environment</h6>
23andMe scientists have also incorporated important in-house findings about lifestyle and genetics. These so-called &#8220;gene-by-environment interactions&#8221; are based on data contributed by over 45,000 research participants. 
 Each personalized report provides a ranked list of lifestyle factors found to be associated with the biggest weight differences. This is based on each person&#8217;s genetic result. In other words, this information shows how people&#8217;s specific genetics may influence their own responses to not only exercise and certain food choices, but also to factors like sleep and stress. This could help customers prioritize their own choices for maintaining a healthy weight. 
 The Genetic Weight report marks a first step towards the kind of personally tailored <a href="https://www.23andme.com/dna-health-ancestry">wellness reports.</a>  Future reports will build on the insights found through creating a machine-learning model. These type of AI models leverages the massive amount of data from customers who consent to participate in research. 
 For more on the science behind this report see our <a href="https://permalinks.23andme.com/pdf/23_17-GeneticWeight_Feb2017.pdf">white paper</a>. 
 <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright size-large wp-image-25104" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Genetic-Weight-2-625x1024.jpg" alt="" width="625" height="1024" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Genetic-Weight-2-625x1024.jpg 625w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Genetic-Weight-2-183x300.jpg 183w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Genetic-Weight-2-537x880.jpg 537w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Genetic-Weight-2.jpg 708w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" />

23andMe Releases First-of-its Kind Genetic Weight Report

A warm glass of milk and the right genes may be the secret to a <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright wp-image-17852 size-medium" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Empty-Bed-284x300.jpg" alt="Empty Bed" width="284" height="300" />settled <a href="https://www.23andme.com/topics/wellness/deep-sleep">deep sleep</a>, and better health.


Your genetics are among many factors — like your age, diet and environment —  that influence your ability to get a good night’s rest. And, in turn, shut eye plays an important role in your health.


The amount of sleep you get is associated with a whole assortment of other characteristics such as life satisfaction, BMI and even <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23144701">telomere length</a>.  Telomeres are DNA segments at the end of our chromosomes — some have compared them to the ends of a shoe lace. As our telomeres shorten, it hampers the ability of our cells to replicate and repair themselves.
The book, Telomere Effect — by the Nobel Prize winner  Elizabeth Blackburn, who discovered  telomerase and the role telomeres have in the aging process  — looks at habits and lifestyle that impact telomere length.

The average American gets just under seven hours of sleep, and in general when we don’t get enough — less than seven hours — it’s not just our health that suffers. Lack of sleep is associated with higher blood pressure, as well as increased risks for diabetes and depression.
23andMe has two reports that explore how your genetics may be influencing your ability to drift off into deep sleep, and how likely you are to move about while you slumber.


Sleep is actually broken into a number of stages or cycles, many of us have heard about REM sleep the sleep cycle characterized by rapid eye movement when our most vivid dreams occur.
Less well known is the Deep Sleep stage just before REM sleep, also sometimes referred to as “slow-wave sleep” or “Delta Sleep.”
This stage is considered the deepest part of the sleep cycle and is characterized by a pattern of brain activity called delta waves. The strength of delta waves reflects how deeply a person sleeps — oddly scientists use the term “sleep intensity” when talking about deep sleep. Several studies have found that a genetic variant on the ADA gene, which produces the enzyme adenosine, influences how deeply people sleep.
Throughout the sleep stages many of us move involuntary. Known as periodic limb movement, on average a person might have 10 of these an hour. <a href="https://www.23andme.com/topics/wellness/sleep-movement/">23andMe’s Sleep Movement</a> report looks at how your genetics may influence whether you move more or less than average during sleep. The report is based on several studies that point to variants in the BTBD9 gene on chromosome 6, which creates the protein BTB.
While not much is known about this protein, it appears to influence not just sleep and movement but also our sense of touch and how we metabolize iron.
Whether you’re a light sleeper, a deep sleeper or a restless sleeper, getting enough rest is important for your health.

Health + Traits — Page 20