While most ancient DNA studies focus on the human DNA of the individuals whose remains were sampled, it is also possible to learn about the diseases these individuals carried by searching for pathogen DNA in their remains.

These kinds of studies have enabled researchers to investigate the origins and spread of ancient diseases that were otherwise nearly impossible to study. This is because many ancient diseases, including malaria, don’t leave clear physical evidence on skeletal remains. Furthermore, historical records of ancient epidemics often lack the specificity needed to identify exactly which diseases were present or where they originated.

In 2024, a team of researchers looked at ancient DNA to search for cases of malaria among more than 10,000 individuals. In this month’s update to the Historical Matches^SM feature, we are highlighting the stories of individuals buried at three ancient sites where malaria was detected. Each of their stories provides important new insights into the history of this ancient disease.

Spreading Malaria Along European Military Lines

In Europe, the cemetery of St. Rombout’s in Mechelen, Belgium, offers a window into the health of a continent at war. Sitting next to one of the world’s first permanent military hospitals, this site served as a burial ground for both local townspeople and foreign soldiers from the 12th to the 18th centuries.

While local residents, who were buried at this site before the hospital was established, showed fewer signs of infection, later individuals—thought to be soldiers who had traveled from the Mediterranean—were often found carrying multiple strains of malaria simultaneously. These findings highlight how the movement of armies turned European cities into crossroads for infectious disease.

Carrying Malaria to the Himalayan Peaks

The high-altitude site of Chokhopani sits 2,800 meters above sea level in the Nepalese Himalayas. This environment is far too cold and dry for the Anopheles mosquitoes that transmit malaria to survive. Yet, genomic analysis of an individual buried within one of the site’s cliffside tombs nearly 3,000 years ago revealed the presence of Plasmodium falciparum, the most virulent form of the malaria parasite.

Finding a tropical disease in a mountain environment provides clear evidence of human mobility. It tells us that this ancient individual had likely traveled to warmer, lower-altitude regions—possibly for trade—and carried the infection back to this highland site.

Tracking the Arrival of Malaria in the Americas

A central debate among disease researchers is whether malaria existed in the Americas prior to European contact or if it was brought there by European colonizers. The study of individuals from the site of Laguna de los Cóndores in Peru provides a pretty clear answer.

Researchers at the site discovered an individual with exclusively Indigenous American ancestry who lived during the period of initial European contact and was infected with Plasmodium vivax (a more widespread form of the malaria parasite). Crucially, the DNA of the parasite was most similar to historical European strains rather than those found elsewhere. This finding suggests that European colonizers acted as the primary vector for introducing these specific malaria strains to the Indigenous populations of the Andes.

Learn More

Want to see if you share a genetic connection with any of the ancient malaria-infected individuals highlighted in this study—or with hundreds of other historical individuals? The Historical Matches feature is available to 23andMe+ Premium™ members.

For many women, the decision to start estrogen-containing hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or oral contraceptives (OCPs) is a pivotal health moment.

These medications can be life-changing. They regulate cycles, prevent pregnancy, relieve perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms, and protect bone health. For millions of women, estrogen improves quality of life.

But estrogen is not risk-free.

One of the most important considerations is the risk of developing blood clots, including deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), or stroke. While the overall risk is low for most healthy women, it is not the same for everyone.

The difference often lies in your genetics.

Hereditary Thrombophilia: The Hidden Variable

Some individuals carry inherited genetic variants that increase their tendency to form blood clots, a condition known as hereditary thrombophilia.

The two most common variants are Factor V Leiden (F5 gene) and Prothrombin G20210A (F2 gene). These variants are common. Approximately 1 in 20 people of European ancestry carries one of them.

To put this in perspective, the baseline annual risk of a serious blood clot is roughly 1 in 1,000. Carrying one of these variants can double that risk. When estrogen is added, particularly oral estrogen, the risk can increase substantially, in some cases several-fold higher than baseline.

Without genetic information, we are estimating risk.
With genetic information, we are personalizing it.

What About MTHFR?

Another gene that has been proposed to be a hereditary clotting risk factor is the MTHFR gene. Some studies have suggested an increased risk of blood clots in individuals who carry two copies of the C677T variant, while others have found no clear association. 

Because the evidence is mixed, genetic results should be interpreted with caution. However, knowing your status can still be informative: if you carry these variants, a simple blood test to measure homocysteine levels may help clarify your overall risk profile and guide further discussion with your clinician.

Read more about MTHFR here

Genetics Is Only Part of the Picture

While your tendency to develop blood clots is primarily determined by genes, life events and circumstances are also important. The most widely recognized DVT and PE risks are injuries, surgeries, and long airplane flights (more than four hours long). Cigarette smoking and hypertension are risks for developing stroke. 

Estrogen is a mild pro-thrombotic factor (a factor that increases the likelihood of forming a blood clot), whether during pregnancy or through hormone therapy.

The key question is not “Is estrogen safe?”
The key question is “Is estrogen safe for you?”

Risk Mitigation Is Possible

If a woman carries a clotting-risk variant, that does not automatically mean she cannot take estrogen.

Instead, it opens the door to informed strategies such as choosing transdermal estrogen, which carries lower clot risk than oral formulations, using low-dose aspirin while taking estrogen, short-term anticoagulation during high-risk periods (e.g., surgery or long travel), or close clinical monitoring.

Knowledge allows preparation. Preparation reduces fear.

The Role of 23andMe in Understanding Your Genetic Risk

This is where resources like 23andMe become invaluable. They provide easily understandable and reliable access to important genetic information related to blood clotting, empowering both patients and physicians.

The 23andMe Hereditary Thrombophilia report* specifically includes analysis for the two most common variants linked to hereditary thrombophilia: factor V Leiden and prothrombin G20210A. 23andMe also offers a report that includes MTHFR variants.

Why I Recommend 23andMe for My Patients

As a hematologist specializing in women’s health hematology, I frequently discuss genetic clotting risk with patients who are planning pregnancy or considering estrogen therapy. 

In recent years, many insurance carriers have stopped covering inherited thrombophilia testing. Instead, direct-to-consumer genetic testing platforms like 23andMe have made validated variant testing more accessible and affordable. For appropriate patients, it can provide clinically useful information that guides safer, more confident decision-making.

Personalized Medicine Is Not the Future-It’s the Present

Understanding your genetic profile allows your physician to contextualize your clotting risk, weigh the benefits and risks of estrogen therapy, and develop individualized risk-mitigation strategies.

This is personalized medicine in action!

Before starting estrogen therapy, have a conversation with your physician about your family history, personal risk factors, and whether genetic testing may be appropriate for you. In some cases, it may also be helpful to consult a hematologist who has expertise in women’s health.

Because when it comes to your health, guessing is no longer necessary.

This post reflects the personal insights and opinions of Dr. Fein. It does not necessarily represent the views of 23andMe. We appreciate the unique perspective shared here.

* The 23andMe PGS test uses qualitative genotyping to detect clinically relevant variants in the genomic DNA of adults, from saliva collected using an FDA-cleared collection device (Oragene·DX model OGD-500.001) for the purpose of reporting and interpreting genetic health risks.  The relevance of each report may vary based on ethnicity.  Our genetic health risk reports describe if a person has variants associated with a higher risk of developing a disease, but do not describe a person’s overall risk of developing the disease. The reports are not intended to diagnose any disease, 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 or how much of a medication you should take. The Hereditary Thrombophilia genetic health risk report (i) is indicated for reporting of the Factor V Leiden variant in the F5 gene, and the Prothrombin G20210A variant in the F2 gene, (ii) describes if a person has variants associated with a higher risk of developing harmful blood clots, and (iii) is most relevant for people of European descent.

GLP-1 medications, such as semaglutide (Ozempic®, Wegovy®) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro®, Zepbound®), have transformed the clinical approach to weight management. In fact, an estimated 1 in 8 adults in the U.S. have used a GLP-1 medication in recent years.^[1] 

Yet, if you or someone you know has taken one, you might have noticed that not everyone has the same experience on these drugs. While GLP-1 medications are commonly prescribed to help control blood sugar and to assist in weight loss, there is substantial variation in how well they work for different people. Some individuals lose as little as 5% of their body weight, whereas others lose more than 20%.^[2][3] Similarly, while gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea and vomiting are common, some people experience moderate to severe forms, whereas others report no nausea at all.^[4] 

While lifestyle characteristics like diet patterns and exercise may certainly explain some of these differences, potential genetic causes of this variation have been unclear, until today. Scientists at the 23andMe Research Institute published a study in Nature that has identified genetic variants associated with weight loss and side effects among those who have taken GLP-1 medications.

The Mystery of Medication Response

When people begin a GLP-1 journey, they may start with uncertainty about efficacy and possible side effects. While the market is crowded with weight loss support and medications, few resources offer personalized insight into the simple question: “What can I expect?”.

To find answers, we turned to our incredible community of 23andMe research participants. Over 27,000 consented participants made this research possible by sharing their experiences with GLP-1 medications through an ongoing research survey. Using 23andMe’s unique crowdsourced approach to research, we were able to conduct the first large-scale genome-wide association study (GWAS) just seven months after starting the study, a very rapid rate for a study of this kind. In simple terms, a GWAS is like scanning a massive library of DNA to find specific “spelling differences” (genetic variants) that are more common in people who share a specific trait. In this case, scientists wanted to understand if there were genetic differences that were associated with how participants’ bodies responded to GLP-1 medications. 

Discovering the Genetic Links

23andMe Research Institute scientists uncovered fascinating genetic associations for response to GLP-1 medications, including a person’s potential for weight loss and their risk of experiencing nausea or vomiting.

First, the study identified a genetic variant that is associated with both weight loss and nausea for the two major classes of GLP1 medications: semaglutide and tirzepatide. This variant is located in the GLP1R gene, which codes for the receptor protein that is the target of GLP-1 medications.

Second, the study identified another genetic variant that is associated with side-effects, specifically nausea and vomiting, while using tirzepatide (Mounjaro® or Zepbound®). You might wonder why this second variant only affects tirzepatide users. It comes down to how the drugs are designed: while semaglutide acts only on GLP-1 receptors, tirzepatide is a dual-target drug that also acts on GIP receptors (GIP, or gastric inhibitory polypeptide, is another hormone like GLP-1 that helps regulate insulin and blood sugar). Our team discovered that this second variant is located in the GIPR gene, which explains why it impacts tirzepatide response but not semaglutide.

Describing the impact of the study, Dr. Adam Auton, Vice President of Human Genetics at the 23andMe Research Institute said, “Identifying these variants in the GLP1R and GIPR genes provides an important new insight into why these medications impact people in distinct ways. It’s a great example of how our large-scale, participant-engaged research program can clarify the biological mechanisms behind drug response, and moves us closer to a future where ‘precision medicine’ isn’t just an aspiration.”

Translating Emerging Science into Personalized Insights

Discovering these variants is a massive step forward, but our ultimate goal is to meet the need for more personalized insight into GLP-1 medication responses.

That is why a new report and interactive tool related to GLP-1 medications is now available exclusively through the 23andMe+ Total Health™ service. This interactive tool combines an individual’s genetic results for these two variants with demographics and medical history to estimate both weight loss and nausea likelihood based on data from 23andMe research participants. All these factors combined can result in significant variability in the likelihood of weight loss or side effects. In fact, the estimates for weight loss can vary between -6% to -20% of baseline weight after one year. Likewise, the estimated risk of nausea and vomiting can range between 5% to 78% risk for experiencing these side effects.

What You Need to Know About the New Report

The science of genetics is always evolving and the 23andMe Research Institute strives to be on the forefront of genetics research, powered by the participation of our members. Our mission is also to help people benefit from genetics research, which is why we are thrilled to provide this new report to our Total Health members. This report is designed to be reviewed in consultation with a clinician and is intended for use in a supervised clinical context, which is why it is exclusively available through the physician-supervised Total Health service.

The shift toward personalized care enabled by this report is echoed by Dr. Noura Abul-Husn, Chief Medical Officer of the 23andMe Research Institute, who views the data as a catalyst for better patient-doctor relationships: “For healthcare professionals, the true value of this data lies in its potential to transform weight loss discussions from a trial-and-error approach into data-driven, shared decision-making with patients. Integrating genetic markers, such as those we’ve identified in the GLP1R and GIPR genes, with clinical factors provides a clearer picture of how a patient’s unique biology may interact with a specific therapy, allowing both patients and their doctors to proactively manage expectations and tailor care with greater precision from day one.”

A Sincere Thank You to Our Participants

The GLP-1 Study is ongoing, and our survey is designed to allow participants to share their journey over time so we can continue to investigate how these medications are associated with genetics and health. Discoveries like this simply would not exist without our research participants. Current 23andMe members can choose to contribute answers and to fuel new discoveries.

Participate in the next discovery

References

1. Montero, A., Sparks, G., Presiado, M. & Hamel, L. KFF Health Tracking Poll May 2024: The Public’s Use and Views of GLP-1 Drugs | KFF.

2. Wilding, J. P. H. et al. Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity. New Engl J Med 384, 989–1002 (2021). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33567185/

3. Ryan, D. H. et al. Long-term weight loss effects of semaglutide in obesity without diabetes in the SELECT trial. Nat Med 30, 2049–2057 (2024). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38740993/

4. Joy, Bethany, et al. Exploring the rates of Gastrointestinal adverse effects among five GLP-1 receptor agonists: A systematic review and Meta-Analysis of randomized controlled trials. Endocrine 91(1), 23 (2026). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41489846/

The more we learn about genetics, the more we realize how beautifully complex the story of human variation truly is. For many of us, our first introduction to genetics is in the classroom. As genomic science leaps forward, it is vital that science education keeps pace. A recently published paper in the Journal of Science Teacher Education highlights both the challenges and the exciting opportunities in updating how science is taught in order to reflect the complexity of modern genetics.

The 23andMe Research Institute is committed to more than just internal discovery; we aim to support and collaborate with professional educators in developing their own expertise in these complex principles. We were honored to have played a supporting role for these educators, and would like to share their work.

The Challenge: Teaching Complexity

The paper explores a fundamental shift in genetics education: moving from a “one-gene, one-trait” Mendelian model to an understanding of complex traits that are influenced by hundreds or thousands of genetic variants working in tandem with environmental factors.

Teaching this complexity isn’t easy. This case study followed a “co-design process” involving a middle school science teacher and educators from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and the Exploratorium Museum in San Francisco working together to create professional activities for other science teachers to update how they teach more complex genetics.

Throughout this process the middle school teacher identified several challenges to teaching these complex topics, including:

• A lack of real-world examples tailored to hook students’ interest.
• Nuanced word choices that can be confusing when describing the relationship between genes and a trait.
• How and when to introduce core ideas and activities to help students build their understanding step-by-step.

A Collaborative Solution

In order to find interesting examples to capture students’ interest and to support further understanding of complex genetics, the co-design team was able to call on 23andMe Research Institute scientists to share data and real-world examples from research studies of complex traits. In the end the co-design team developed a classroom activity, using height as a relevant example, to demonstrate the impact of multiple genetic variants on a trait.

“By providing a space for teachers to work directly with scientists, we create opportunities for them to engage with authentic data and nuanced examples of complex inheritance,” said Hilleary Osheroff, of the Teacher Institute at the Exploratorium, one of the authors of this study. 

Co-author Sara Porter, from the Teacher Education and Higher Education Department at University of North Carolina at Greensboro added, “This collaboration allows educators to bridge the gap between abstract theory and classroom practice without the need for extensive time in the laboratory, ultimately empowering them to bring the most current genomic science to their students.”

Why It Matters

The importance of robust science education throughout the K-12 years cannot be overstated. By providing students with a more accurate framework for how genetics works, we empower the next generation to better understand their own health and the diversity of the human experience.

“At the 23andMe Research Institute, we believe that genetic literacy is a fundamental tool,” says Anne Greb, Director of Genomics Education at 23andMe. “Engaging in community projects like this that support early science education is a priority for us. By supporting teachers today, we are ensuring that the scientists, healthcare providers, and informed citizens of tomorrow have a clear-eyed understanding of the science that connects us all, from understanding their own traits and disease risks to recognizing the genetic relatedness that connects people.”

The responsive nature of the co-design process described in the paper shows that when scientists and teachers work together, they create a “resource-rich” environment. We are proud to have played a role in this research and remain dedicated to helping bridge the gap between the lab and the classroom.

Interested in helping a young person in your life learn more about genetics? Check out more educational activities from the Exploratorium and the 23andMe Genetics Learning Hub.

The 23andMe Health Summary is now available to customers participating in the Beta Testing Program*. 23andMe’s Health Summary uses AI to connect your genetics, blood labs, and lifestyle data to give you a clear, real-time picture of your health. Powered by 23andMe’s scientifically-backed AI model, it actively connects your genetic findings with your real-time lab results, surfacing the signals most worth paying attention to and discussing with your doctor. The result is a set of personalized, evidence-based recommendations giving you what you need to move from reactive to truly personalized preventative healthcare.

Why “Average” AI Falls Short

The potential of AI in healthcare is staggering, offering a future where disease is predicted rather than just treated. But to get there, we must answer this fundamental question: How can an AI truly “know” your health, if it doesn’t know your biology? Most health recommendations today still rely on “average” standards and protocols. But “average” increasingly doesn’t cut it in healthcare. 

At 23andMe, we believe the next era of medicine isn’t just about tracking your steps or one-off blood tests — it’s about closing the loop between your labs, lifestyle, and your genetics. Health data without genetic context is just numbers. 

The 23andMe perspective on Health AI

Today’s AI health tools are trained on everyone. They know what’s true for most people. But your genetics determine how much of that actually applies to you, and that gap is where 23andMe lives. Our approach is different. 23andMe benchmarks your health against your genetic peers — not just people with shared age and gender, but also ancestry and genetic risks. 

Dumping your data into a chatbot might tell you that walking 10,000 steps today is great. But if it is lacking your genetic data and the research insights for how to combine genetics and other kinds of data, those 10,000 steps might not be enough to move the needle on your specific risk. 

23andMe’s AI takes into account both your current biomarker signals and unique genetic tendencies to tell you where you are on your journey relative to the instructions your body was born with. 

Cut through the “data overload”

The Health Summary doesn’t just show your data, it tells you what levers to pull now to improve your health, given all of your data points combined. We focus on systems that greatly impact longevity and healthspan including heart health, metabolic health, and brain health.

Science-backed innovation

We know that accuracy and credibility are paramount in healthcare. That’s why our Health Summary is grounded in a proprietary framework developed by our scientific and clinical experts. This framework guides our AI in considering relevant sets of genetic results, lab values, and lifestyle data and interpreting them together appropriately. Based on this holistic picture, our AI will help you understand what areas warrant attention and how to stay on top of them. We’ve also developed specific safeguards to monitor that our AI stays true to the framework and is basing your Health Summary on established evidence.

Join our Beta Program

This is just the beginning. We will continue layering more health insights, and real-world context into your Health Summary, and will get more targeted with our insights (imagine a world where we define the exact lab value ranges you should target based on your genetics rather than relying on generic lab “normals”). Looking ahead, we see our Health Summary visualizing your health potential, showing you how much power you have to decrease your risk. We don’t just want to tell you you’re at risk, we tell you how much power you have to change that risk. 

The future of health isn’t just a chatbot where you dump information in and hope for new ideas. It’s a sophisticated synthesis of your unique biological code and real-world data, guided by experts. Your genes gave you the map, we’re here to help you lead the way. 

Join the 23andMe Beta program today to test the Health Summary. By sharing your feedback, you are helping us co-create a future where your health data becomes more understood, personalized, and actionable.

*Unfortunately this feature is not yet available on Android devices — we are working on it!

March is Sleep Awareness Month, a time to focus on one of the most vital pillars of our health: sleep. While we often prioritize diet and exercise, the quality of our rest plays a massive role in how we feel, think, and function every single day — and research is showing sleep is  increasingly important for living a longer, healthier life.

The Power of a Good Night’s Rest

Getting enough, and getting high-quality sleep is about more than just avoiding grogginess. According to the CDC, consistent, healthy sleep can help you:

• Boost your immune system, helping you get sick less often.
• Maintain a healthy weight and improve your metabolism.
• Lower your risk for serious chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and stroke.
• Support mental health by reducing stress and improving your overall mood.
• Sharpen your mind, improving your attention and memory for daily tasks.
• Keep you safe, reducing the risk of motor vehicle crashes and injuries.

Introducing the New Sleep Paralysis PRS Report

23andMe members can already explore genetic insights into certain sleep-related topics (such as insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea), and we are excited to expand these insights for 23andMe+ Premium™ members with our new Sleep Paralysis Polygenic Risk Score (PRS)* report.

Sleep paralysis is the temporary inability to move or speak while falling asleep or waking up. While these episodes can be brief and sometimes distressing, they are not dangerous. Our new report uses a polygenic score (a model that looks at thousands of small genetic variants) to help you understand your genetic likelihood of experiencing sleep paralysis.

Tips for Better Sleep Hygiene

Regardless of your genetic predispositions, good sleep hygiene can make a world of difference. If you experience sleep paralysis or struggle with general sleep quality, consider these tips:

• Adjust your sleeping position: Sleep paralysis is more common when sleeping on your back; try switching to your side.
• Do your best to stay consistent: Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends, to regulate your internal clock.
• Try to create a sanctuary: Keep your bedroom dark, quiet, and comfortable.
• Unwind early: Try meditation or a warm bath before bed to lower stress.
• Watch your intake: Limit alcohol and caffeine in the evening, as both can interfere with deep, restorative sleep.

More Genetics of Sleep

What about other ways genetics impacts sleep? Have you ever wondered why you’re a night owl while your partner is an early bird? Or why some people can fall asleep the second their head hits the pillow while others toss and turn? Your DNA may hold some answers.

At 23andMe, we have a number of sleep-related reports, including:

• Wake-up Time: Explore how your genetics nudge you toward being a natural morning person or a night owl.
• Insomnia: Discover how your DNA may influence your likelihood of having trouble falling or staying asleep.
• Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Identify if your genetics give you an increased likelihood of developing this common sleep-related breathing disorder.
• Restless Legs Syndrome: Understand the genetic components of this uncomfortable nighttime sensation.

Ready to see what your DNA says about your sleep? 23andMe+ Premium members can find the new Sleep Paralysis report and other sleep-related reports in the Wellness section of their account today.

At 23andMe, we are committed to providing our customers with the most granular and meaningful insights into their heritage. Today, we are thrilled to announce a major update for our customers of Filipino descent: the launch of 144 new Genetic Groups across the Philippines and neighboring regions, providing the most detailed breakdown of Filipino ancestry available.

The Philippines is a land of incredible diversity, with over 7,000 islands and a rich tapestry of cultural and regional communities. We are now able to identify if members share DNA segments with those who have a known family history from a specific location or community. More than 75% of our members of Filipino descent, who are on our latest genotyping chip, will now see matches to one or more of these new Genetic Groups. And 23andMe+ Premium™ members will also be able to see any distant Genetic Group connections they may have to these regions. 

A Shared Heritage

In addition to 141 Genetic Groups across the Philippines this update includes 1 new group in Taiwan and 2 groups in Borneo, reflecting the shared Austronesian ancestry in this region. 

Who are Austronesians? Around 4,000 to 5,000 years ago, seafaring groups originating from what is now Taiwan began migrating southward into the Philippine archipelago, likely entering through the Batanes Islands and Northern Luzon. These migrants brought with them new technologies, such as the outrigger canoe, along with agricultural practices, including the cultivation of rice and the domestication of animals. Over millennia, these populations fanned out across the 7,000+ islands of the Philippines, developing distinct linguistic and cultural identities while maintaining a shared genetic and naval heritage. 

This movement didn’t stop in the Philippines; the archipelago served as a vital jumping-off point for further expansion into Indonesia, Malaysia, and eventually as far west as Madagascar and as far east as the remote islands of Polynesia, forever linking the Filipino people to a vast Austronesian cultural network.

Check out your results

With this update, discovering more about your Filipino heritage with 23andMe has never been more specific. This is part of our ongoing commitment to improving our science and representation for all our customers. We can’t wait for you to see it. Log in to explore your updated results in your Ancestry Composition report today.

Is age 45 actually the right time for your first colonoscopy? While standard guidelines offer a baseline for colorectal cancer screening, your genetics offer a potential path for further precision. As we see a significant shift in colorectal cancer trends among younger adults, understanding your inherited risk factors is a critical tool for early detection and personalized care.

As we observe Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, we’re looking at how your genetic data can help you move beyond the one-size-fits-all model and take better control of your health.

The Changing Face of Colorectal Cancer

The traditional milestone for your first colonoscopy used to be age 50. Recently, experts lowered it to 45. Why? Because the landscape of this disease is shifting.

According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 158,850 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with colon or rectal cancer in 2026, making colorectal cancer the fourth most common cancer. Perhaps most startling is that 45% of new cases are now occurring in adults under 65, a massive jump from just 27% in 1995. While the overall number of cases in young people is still relatively low, the rates of colorectal cancer in people between the ages of 20 and 40 is increasing at about 3% per year. This trend of younger adults being diagnosed means that for some, waiting until a standard screening age might already be too late.

The Genetic Spectrum: More Than One Way to Measure Risk

Standard screening guidelines already note that some people who are at higher risk (for example, due to a family history or having certain health conditions) should have their first colonoscopy before age 45. But many people don’t know they have higher risk, and genetics can unlock some of that knowledge. 23andMe offers a tiered look at your genetic risk to help you and your doctor move from a one-size-fits-all approach to more precise prevention.

• The MUTYH Report: Our MUTYH-Associated Polyposis Genetic Health Risk* report looks at specific variants in the MUTYH gene linked to a particular form of hereditary colorectal cancer. While having two variants significantly increases risk, even carriers of a single variant might benefit from sharing that information with their healthcare provider.
• High-Impact Variants: Particularly impactful genetic variants can also be found through sequencing, such as the clinician-ordered exome sequencing available through our Total Health™ service. This looks at over 100 high-impact genes, including some associated with significantly increased risk of developing colorectal cancer (specifically related to Lynch syndrome, MUTYH-associated polyposis, and APC-associated polyposis).
• Polygenic Risk Scores (PRS): Most cancer risk isn’t caused by a single variant or gene, but by the combined effect of thousands of small genetic variations. Our Colorectal Cancer PRS** report uses these markers to calculate whether you have an increased genetic likelihood for the most common forms of the disease.

Closing the Data Gap: Equity in Research

Precision medicine works best when the science behind it reflects the diversity of the people it serves. Historically, genetic research has been disproportionately centered on people of European descent. This has created a gap that we are working to close.

The stakes are especially high for the Black community. Black and African Americans are 15% more likely to develop colorectal cancer and 35% more likely to die from it than non-Hispanic white Americans.

Science shouldn’t have a blind spot like this. We have an ongoing study specifically designed to improve our Colorectal Cancer PRS report for our Black and African American members. Because of our currently limited data, the PRS driving this report failed to meet our performance standards for members of certain communities; these members are thus not able to receive a personalized genetic result. This study hopes to change that. Our goal is to work toward a future where preventive medicine is equitable and accurate for all.

Taking Control of Your Timeline

Colorectal cancer is one of the most preventable cancers, and when caught early it’s often more treatable. By understanding your genetic predisposition you’re equipping yourself with the knowledge needed to help lead the conversation with your doctor. Whether you are 25 or 55, knowing your risk allows you to advocate for the screenings you may need.

* 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, including the 23andMe PGS Genetic Health Risk Report for MUTYH-Associated Polyposis. Your ethnicity may affect the relevance of each report and how your genetic health risk results are interpreted. The test is not intended to diagnose any disease and does not describe a person’s overall risk of developing any type of cancer. It 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 treatments. Warnings & Limitations: The 23andMe PGS Genetic Health Risk Report for MUTYH-Associated Polyposis is indicated for reporting the Y179C and G396D variants in the MUTYH gene and an increased risk for colorectal cancer.  The two variants included in this report are most common in people of Northern European descent.  This report does not include variants in other genes linked to hereditary cancers and the absence of variants included in this report does not rule out the presence of other genetic variants that may impact cancer risk. The PGS test is not a substitute for visits to a healthcare professional for recommended screenings or appropriate follow-up. Results should be confirmed in a clinical setting before taking any medical action. For important information and limitations regarding genetic health risk reports, visit  https://www.23andme.com/test-info.

** The 23andMe Colorectal Cancer PRS report is based on a genetic model that includes data and insights from 23andMe consented research participants and incorporates more than 1,700 genetic variants to provide information on the likelihood of experiencing colorectal cancer. The report does not describe a person’s overall likelihood, does not account for lifestyle or family history and has not been reviewed by the US Food and Drug Administration. The Colorectal Cancer PRS report is not intended to tell you anything about your current state of health, or to be used to make medical decisions or determine any treatment.

Now, thanks to a new study published in the Journal of Archaeological Science earlier this year, the stories of these individuals are coming to light. This month, 23andMe is adding four individuals from this cliff-side site to our Historical Matches^SM feature.

A Landscape in Transition

During the 14th century, the Yun-Gui Plateau was a region of immense cultural and political transformation. As the Ming Dynasty sought to consolidate power and expand its borders into the southwest, the area became a frontier of conflict. The rugged karst landscape, characterized by its towering limestone cliffs and deep river valleys, served as both a strategic stronghold for the military and a vital sanctuary for local communities caught in the crossfire of imperial expansion.

Historically known for its incredible ethnolinguistic diversity, the plateau was home to various indigenous groups who had inhabited these mountains for millennia. The transition between the Late Yuan and Early Ming periods in the 14th century brought an influx of new people and upheavals in local government, creating a complex social tapestry. For the families found in Pingtang Cave, these remote, high-altitude caverns were not just geological features—they were essential places of refuge during a time of profound uncertainty.

A Refuge, Not a Cemetery

When researchers first investigated Pingtang Cave, they quickly realized this was no ordinary burial ground. Unlike traditional sites of the era, there were no coffins, no grave goods, and no signs of formal interment. Instead, the skeletons were found in the deepest recesses of the cave, far from the light of the entrance.

While most of the group appeared to be healthy prior to entering the cave, the genetic analysis revealed that one individual was suffering from paratyphoid fever, caused by the bacterium Salmonella enterica. Her genome also revealed that her parents were likely closely related, perhaps as closely as second cousins, a finding that provides unique insight into the social and mating structures of isolated plateau communities during this era.

The lack of physical trauma or signs of violence ruled out a massacre, while the absence of a widespread plague suggested something else entirely. Researchers believe these families fled to the cave to escape external conflict, perhaps the unrest of the Ming Dynasty’s expansion into the region, only to succumb to the low oxygen of the cave’s deepest chambers.

The Families of Pingtang Cave

The genetic data reveals that those who fled to the cave were not strangers; they were a tightly-knit community of relatives. Most of these individuals shared the same maternal lineage (haplogroup M7b1a1), suggesting that the group was a multi-generational family, who were connected through a shared maternal lineage.

A Window into Heritage

All of the members of this group shared a similar ancestral profile, characterized by a mixture of ancient northern and southern East Asian ancestry. This genetic signature persists today in the present-day inhabitants of southwest China, bridging the gap between the people living during the transition into the Ming Dynasty and the modern world.

Learn More

23andMe+ Premium™ members can now explore whether they share a genetic link to these ancient Chinese individuals, and hundreds of others, through the Historical Matches feature.

When I was invited to contribute a chapter on direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic testing to The Oxford Handbook of Genetic Counseling, it gave me the opportunity to reflect on how the genetics landscape has evolved and the important role education plays in helping both healthcare professionals and the public navigate it.

Each year on March 14, Science Education Day highlights the importance of making scientific knowledge accessible and meaningful for society. In genetics, this goal has become increasingly important as more people gain direct access to their own genetic information.

Today, millions of individuals have explored their DNA through DTC genetic testing. As a result, healthcare professionals increasingly encounter patients who arrive with genetic results in hand, and questions about what those results mean for their health.

For genetic counselors, understanding this evolving landscape is essential.

The inclusion of DTC testing in The Oxford Handbook of Genetic Counseling reflects how consumer genomics has become an established part of the broader genetics and healthcare ecosystem.

Why DTC Genetic Testing Matters for Genetic Counselors

Direct-to-consumer genetic testing has expanded access to genetic information and changed how many people first encounter genetics. For some individuals, their first exposure to genetics may come not in a clinic, but through a consumer test ordered online from companies like 23andMe.

This shift creates new opportunities, and new responsibilities, for healthcare professionals.

Genetic counselors are uniquely positioned to help individuals understand what genetic results can and cannot tell us. They help place findings in the context of personal and family health history, clarify the limitations of testing, and guide next steps when clinical follow-up is needed.

As consumer genomics becomes more integrated into healthcare conversations, it is increasingly important that genetic counselors are prepared to navigate these discussions. Education about DTC genetic testing — including how results are generated, the types of health and non-health information consumers receive, how these tests differ from clinical testing, and what motivates individuals to pursue testing — is becoming an important component of genetic counseling training.

Genetic Counselors as Educators in Healthcare

Genetic counselors play another critical role beyond direct patient care: they are educators within the healthcare system.

As genetics becomes relevant across many areas of medicine, physicians and other healthcare professionals increasingly encounter genetic information in their practice. Yet many clinicians received limited formal training in genomics during their medical education.

In some cases, genetic information can provide additional context about an individual’s risk factors, helping clinicians and patients think more proactively about prevention, screening, and more personalized approaches to care.

Genetic counselors often help bridge this gap, educating clinicians on how to interpret genetic information, understand its limitations, and apply it appropriately in patient care.

Expanding Genetics Education for a Genomic Era

The growing intersection of consumer genomics, clinical care, and population-level genetic screening highlights a broader need: expanding genetics education for multiple audiences.

At the 23andMe Research Institute, we are working to support this goal through initiatives like the Genetics Learning Hub, which currently provides accessible learning resources for the general public and will expand to include resources for healthcare professionals. These structured educational modules are designed to help people better understand how genetics influences health and how genetic information can be used responsibly.

Efforts like these reflect a broader priority across the field: ensuring that both the public and healthcare professionals have the knowledge needed to interpret and apply genetic information in an increasingly genomics-informed healthcare landscape.

The Role of Education in Responsible Genomics

Science Education Day serves as a reminder that scientific discovery alone is not enough, people must also have the knowledge and tools to understand and apply that science.

In genomics, this means ensuring that healthcare professionals are prepared to interpret and communicate genetic information responsibly. As more people access their genetic information through consumer testing, expanding genetics education across the healthcare workforce — including genetic counselors — will remain essential to helping individuals understand and appropriately use genetic insights in their healthcare decisions.

At 23andMe, we believe your DNA holds the key to stories you’ve never heard and people you’ve never met. Today, we’re excited to introduce a groundbreaking new feature that uncovers ancestral stories hidden in your DNA: Reconstructed Ancestors.

This innovative experience uses the DNA you share with close and distant relatives to piece together the genetic profiles of your ancestors, revealing insights into their ancestry composition and what they passed down to you.

Unlocking Your Family’s Untold Stories

For many of us, family history has blank spaces. Maybe it’s because records were lost or destroyed or never existed in the first place. Maybe no one really talked about “that side” of the family. Reconstructed Ancestors helps bridge those gaps by using DNA to learn about how ancestry from different global populations moves through branches of your family tree.

23andMe can use your genetic relatives to rebuild parts of your ancestors’ genetic profiles. That means you can learn more about ancestors who were never genotyped and who may no longer be here to share their stories.

GRAMPA: The DNA Detective Behind the Scenes

Behind the scenes is our GRAMPA algorithm (Genotype Reconstruction and Ancestral Mixture Proportions in Ancestors). Think of it like a genetic jigsaw puzzle: each piece of DNA you share with another relative has traveled through a shared ancestor. GRAMPA uses these overlapping segments, scattered across hundreds or even thousands of relatives to piece together the genome of that shared ancestor.

The more relatives who test, and the more relatives you add to your family tree, the more pieces we have and the clearer the picture becomes.

An Ever-Growing Portrait of Your Family’s Past

Reconstructing an ancestor starts with our DNA Relatives feature. By opting in, you allow 23andMe to identify and connect you to people who share DNA with you. These connections form the foundation of your automatic, DNA-based Family Tree and it’s from this tree that we can begin to reconstruct your recent ancestors. First, we scan the database for shared DNA segments between you and your relatives. Then we begin piecing together those segments into an ancestor profile, revealing what we can for now and continuing to add more over time.

Each reconstructed ancestor profile is unique and dynamic. As you build out your Family Tree, and as the 23andMe DNA database grows, more puzzle pieces are added to the ancestor profile. You can see what percentage of your DNA you inherited from that ancestor, explore their likely ancestry and begin to imagine who they might have been. The story deepens, details emerge, and a clearer picture of your family history begins to take shape.

Importantly, your privacy remains central. You control who sees your Reconstructed Ancestors, your Family Tree and how your information is used, ensuring your journey into your family’s past is both meaningful and secure.

Why It’s Different

Reconstructed Ancestors is the first and only feature of its kind. It covers more than just inheritance; it rebuilds the genome of the person behind the inheritance. And it’s not limited to parents. At launch, the feature will include ancestors up to grandparents. Our hope is that one day you will be able to accurately piece together your entire family tree, including the gaps, with DNA as your guide. 

Real Stories, New Connections

More than 200,000 23andMe customers who self-report as an adoptee have already found close relatives in our database. For those who cannot make that connection yet, Reconstructed Ancestors offers a new kind of discovery, a way to learn about their ancestry inheritance, a way to feel closer to a relative they’ve never met.

It’s about more than just genetics. It’s about reclaiming pieces of your past that history forgot.

Available for Subscribers

Reconstructed Ancestors will be available for 23andMe+ Premium™ and Total Health™ members. There’s no need to provide another DNA sample or wait for results.

And this is just the beginning. Your family story is still unfolding. Every new relative who joins 23andMe helps add more pieces to the puzzle and brings you one step closer to understanding where you come from.

DNA shapes who we are in countless ways, from our health and family story to traits we might not expect. Yet for many people, genetics can feel complex, technical, or out of reach.

We created the 23andMe Genetics Learning Hub to change that.

The Genetics Learning Hub is a free, easy-to-explore online resource designed to help anyone understand the fundamentals of genetics, no science background required. Whether you’re curious about your own DNA, interested in your family’s health history, or simply want to better understand how genetics influences health, this is a place to start.

Why Genetic Literacy Matters

We didn’t build this hub just for fun (although it is fun!); we built it to help give you the fluency to navigate the world of DNA with confidence. From dinner table discussions about your family history to navigating healthcare, genetic literacy turns you from an observer into an expert of your own story. Here is how we’re bridging the gap:

• Combating Misinformation: Learn to distinguish between hard science and common genetic myths that circulate online.
• Empowering Doctor-Patient Conversations: Understand the “how” and “why” of your genetic risks to have more informed, productive conversations with your healthcare professional.
• Turning Data into Action: Move beyond just knowing your results to understanding how lifestyle, environment, and genetics intersect, giving you a clearer roadmap for potential proactive health decisions.
• Reducing Uncertainty: Gain the confidence to ask better questions, not just of your doctor, but of the world around you.

What You’ll Find in the Learning Hub

The Learning Hub breaks down complex genetic concepts into short, engaging modules that build understanding step by step. Topics include:

• The basics of genes and how they work
• How some health conditions are caused by changes in a single gene
• How genetics, lifestyle, and environment work together to influence health
• How to gather your family health history and spot potential risks

Each module is designed to be approachable, practical, and grounded in science. We focus not just on definitions and concepts, but on helping you understand why genetics matters in real life.

Built for Curiosity

You don’t need prior knowledge to get started. The Learning Hub was designed for everyone, from those just beginning to learn about genetics to those who want to connect genetic concepts to real-world health and family decisions.

Our goal is simple: make genetic science more accessible, more understandable, and more empowering.

Why Genetics Education Matters

Genetics plays an increasingly important role in healthcare, research, and everyday decision-making. As access to genetic information expands, so does the need for clear, trustworthy education.

The Genetics Learning Hub reflects our commitment at the 23andMe Research Institute to scientific accuracy, transparency, and inclusion. It was developed by a multidisciplinary team that includes genetic counselors, scientific experts, and other collaborators working together to translate complex science into clear, meaningful learning experiences.

Start Exploring

If you’ve ever wondered how genes influence health, why similar conditions can have different genetic causes, or how to collect your family’s health history, the Genetics Learning Hub is for you.

Start exploring today and build your genetic toolkit, one step at a time.

Today, we’re thrilled to introduce DNA Relatives Clustering, a powerful new tool for 23andMe+ Premium™ members that helps you get more out of your genetic connections. Track down shared ancestors and visualize family branches seamlessly, instead of manually piecing together how your genetic relatives are related. This feature automatically organizes your DNA Relatives into visual groups based on their shared genetic connections.

Why It’s a Game-Changer

In the past, identifying which relatives belonged to your mother’s side versus your father’s side, or deeper into specific great-grandparent lines, required lots of manual searching.

Clustering does the heavy lifting for you. By providing a visual map of your genetic network, it’s easier than ever to find this information. It’s not just a list of names anymore; it’s a blueprint of your history.

How It Works: A Visual Map of Your Family

DNA Relatives Clustering generates an intuitive “map” of your family connections. By analyzing how your relatives share DNA with one another, not just with you, the tool creates a grid that brings your family branches to life.

• Clusters (Blocks of the Same Color): These represent a specific branch or part of your family. A cluster typically corresponds to people who share a set of specific ancestors, such as a pair of great-great-grandparents. Individual colored squares within a cluster show two people who share sufficient DNA with each other and with other relatives in that group. You can hover over each square to learn about the DNA shared between those two relatives.
• “Single Square” Clusters: Occasionally, you’ll see a single colorful square on the diagonal. These are DNA relatives who are connected to relatives in other clusters but don’t share DNA with enough people to be included in those clusters. Nevertheless they can help you figure out how the clusters relate to you and each other.  
• Dark Gray Squares: These squares appear “off the diagonal” and represent people who share DNA but aren’t grouped into the same cluster. These can be useful for seeing how clusters reflect different branches of your family tree.

The Science Behind the Scenes

Our scientists are always looking for ways to make genetic data more actionable. DNA Relatives Clustering was inspired by the popular Leeds Method, a manual sorting technique used by genealogists.

However, we’ve taken it a step further. Our scientists designed a novel algorithm specifically for the 23andMe platform. While our tool uses optimal defaults to get you started, we’ve also included advanced filtering controls, allowing you to customize the parameters of your map more than any other tool on the market. You can change settings to adjust who gets included, make the clusters more closely or loosely related, or focus the analysis on just the DNA Relatives shared in common with another DNA Relative. Learn a little more about how to run clustering analyses, and have fun exploring!

Get Started

DNA Relatives Clustering is available now for 23andMe+ Premium members. Ready to see your family in a whole new light?

For 23andMe+ Premium™ members, this feature allows you to look under the hood of your genetic matches and move from “we are related” to “here is how we fit together.” While features like DNA Relatives may tell you that you are genetically related to someone, Advanced DNA Comparison shows you exactly where that shared DNA lives on your genome. Whether you are piecing together a complex family mystery, building out your family tree, or simply trying to understand how you are connected to a new match, this tool gives you a way to start mapping your history with unprecedented precision.

What is Advanced DNA Comparison?

This feature allows you to visualize the specific segments of DNA you share with your relatives.

By identifying these shared blocks of genetic code, you can start performing deep-dive genealogical research. 23andMe+ Premium members can:

• View Segment Locations: See the start and end points of shared DNA between you and a DNA relative or connection across all 23 chromosomes.
• Compare Multiple People: Analyze shared segments with up to five relatives at once to identify common ancestors.
• Uncover “Triangulation”: Find overlapping segments among multiple matches to help determine which branch of your family tree a new relative belongs to.

Powered by HybridIBD Technology

The reintroduction of this tool isn’t just a simple “unlock” of old software. We’ve rebuilt the engine using our enhanced HybridIBD™ technology. This advanced algorithm combines two different types of IBD analysis (phasedIBD and IBD64) to detect shared segments with higher precision than ever before. This is especially helpful for correctly identifying distant relatives, and for identifying more close relationships for members with South Asian, West Asian, or North African ancestries. 

Each time you compare new individuals, you’re running a custom analysis. We regularly update our phasing algorithms to improve DNA comparisons, and computing your results in real-time ensures high precision and up-to-date insights.

Why the Detail Matters

Why look at segments instead of just percentages? Because the length and location of shared DNA tell a story:

• Recent vs. Distant: Generally, longer segments indicate a more recent common ancestor. Multiple short, “choppy” segments across the genome often suggest more distant, population-wide sharing.
• Mapping Your Tree: If you and two other cousins all share the exact same segment, it’s a “smoking gun” that you all inherited that DNA from the same specific ancestor.

Privacy and Security First

We know that your genetic data is your most sensitive information. We’ve redesigned this feature with a “Security-First” architecture to ensure you remain in total control of what you share:

• Explicit Consent: You can only see segments for DNA Relatives who have specifically opted into sharing matching DNA segments, or with connections who have chosen to share with you.

• Personalized Comparison: You can only compare your own profile (or profiles you manage within your account, or connected profiles) against your DNA relatives and connections. 
• Total Control: You can opt-in or opt-out of segment sharing at any time through your DNA Relatives settings or by managing your connections.
• Proactive Safeguards: Built-in protections help prevent attempts to misuse this feature to view others’ information while maintaining the functionality for it to be used as intended.

How to Get Started

If you are already a 23andMe+ Premium member, you can find the Advanced DNA Comparison tool under “Family & Friends” today.

Not a Premium member yet? Upgrading gives you immediate access to this feature, along with advanced DNA Relatives filters, DNA Relatives Clustering, the Historical Matches^SM feature, Distant Genetic Groups, and innovative health reports.

Located 1,200 miles from the coast of Africa, Saint Helena is perhaps best known as the final place of exile for Napoleon Bonaparte. However, the island’s genetic story is much more complex than a single French emperor.

While the Island of St. Helena was first sighted by Portuguese explorers in the early 16th century, its modern trajectory began in 1659 when the English East India Company established a permanent settlement. Its strategic position along the vital trade routes between Europe and Asia made it an important resupply station for ships rounding the Cape of Good Hope. This central role in maritime commerce resulted in a diverse blend of inhabitants from European settlers, Chinese laborers, and enslaved people brought from Madagascar, Malaysia, India, and Africa.

Starting in 1840, St. Helena became a pivotal base for the British Royal Navy’s campaign to suppress the transatlantic slave trade. Between 1840 and 1867, the Navy intercepted slave ships and brought approximately 27,000 “liberated Africans” to the island. While these individuals were freed from bondage, many had suffered immensely during the Middle Passage, and some of those who did not survive were buried on St. Helena. For centuries, the specific origins of those buried here were lost, until now.

Restoring Lost Connections

In 2007 and 2008 archeologists uncovered the remains of 325 individuals during roadwork on the north coast of St. Helena associated with the construction of the island’s first ever airport. Ancient DNA researchers sequenced the genomes of 20 of those individuals. This research has provided the first direct evidence of their origins:

• Geographic Roots: DNA revealed that these individuals likely originated from West Central Africa, specifically the region between northern Angola and Gabon.
• A Snapshot of the Trade: The genetic analysis aligned with broader archaeological findings that confirmed a significant sex bias: 17 of the 20 individuals were male. This reflects the documented patterns of the late-stage slave trade.

23andMe+ Premium™ members can now see if they share DNA with 7 of the 20 individuals whose genomes were sequenced who are now included in the Historical Matches^SM feature. This update means you may find a genetic connection to these specific historical individuals, helping to restore a genealogical bridge that was once thought to be permanently broken.

The Genetic Tapestry of Modern “Saints” 

The story of St. Helena doesn’t end in the 19th century. Today’s islanders, known as “Saints,” carry a diverse genetic legacy shaped by the island’s role as a global crossroads. To investigate the modern genetics of St. Helena we looked at 23andMe members who reported recent ancestors from St. Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha. From this we created our new “Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha” Genetic Group allowing 23andMe members to see if they have a connection to people from this British Overseas Territory within the Migrations section of their Ancestry Composition report. 

In creating this Genetic Group we noticed some interesting highlights: 

• The modern population is a blend of African, European, and Asian roots.
• “Saints” often show an interesting bias in their maternal and paternal lines. Maternal haplogroups frequently point toward Austronesian or South Asian ancestry, while paternal lines are often a mix of South Asian and European origins.
• Interestingly, there is little overlap between the people who match the liberated Africans in our Historical Matches and those who receive matches to the St. Helena Genetic Group. This might suggest that many of the liberated Africans eventually left the island or died without descendants who remained there, while the modern “Saints” who make up this Genetic Group may represent a separate chapter of the island’s vibrant history.

Why This Matters

Genetics is more than just percentages on a map; it can be a tool for historical justice and personal discovery. By studying both the ancient DNA of historical individuals and the data of modern populations, we can honor the legacy of those whose stories were omitted from history books. Whether you are a “Saint” yourself or a 23andMe member discovering a new connection to the South Atlantic, these updates remind us that our DNA is a living record of the journeys that shaped our world.

Black History Month is a time for reflection, it is also a time for action. Last year, we focused on specific health risks that disproportionately affect the Black and African American community. This year, we are discussing how to leverage that knowledge to proactively change your future.

Beyond “One-Size-Fits-All” Healthcare 

The traditional healthcare system often relies on a “cookie-cutter” approach: at its best, treating everyone the same; at its worst, allowing bias and discrimination to influence clinical decisions. The goal of personalized medicine is to disrupt this by recognizing that every individual has unique risks, lifestyles, histories, and cultural contexts. By taking into account these unique considerations healthcare professionals can work with you to develop a personalized preventive health plan. 

A vital component of this process is understanding your unique genetic makeup. Your DNA provides some of the key data necessary for productive, personalized conversations with your doctor.

Using Genetic Health Results to Take Personalized Action

A first step towards developing a personalized preventive health plan can include reviewing your genetic health reports. Focus on conditions known to disproportionately impact the Black and African American community, but don’t overlook your pharmacogenetics results.

Pharmacogenetics explores how genetic variants influence how your body processes certain medications. These variants explain why some people experience more side effects or find specific treatments less effective.

Once you have reviewed your genetic data, you can bring these insights to your healthcare professional. Most clinicians recognize that genetics provides a critical data point in understanding the whole picture for their patients. 23andMe recently published a study showing that when research participants take their results to their doctors they receive personalized medical recommendations, and the vast majority of members follow through on those recommendations. Sharing your genetic results empowers your doctor to provide preventative actions tailored to you.

It’s also important to review your Pharmacogenetics Reports* (available to 23andMe+ Premium™ members) with your clinician even if you aren’t currently taking medications. Having this information on file can allow your doctor to select the right medication and dosage from the start if you ever need treatment in the future.

The Future of Inclusive Research

Closing health disparity gaps requires active participation in the science that shapes health outcomes. When scientists have representative data, they can discover insights that lead to more accurate risk assessments and more effective treatments for the Black and African American community.

This is one of the reasons the 23andMe Research Institute continues to prioritize genetic studies on conditions that impact this community. This work is only possible through the participation of those who make up the world’s largest genetic research cohort of individuals with African ancestry. Research participants aren’t just learning about their past, they are taking action to build a more equitable future.

* 23andMe PGS Pharmacogenetics reports: The 23andMe test uses qualitative genotyping to detect 3 variants in the CYP2C19 gene, 2 variants in the DPYD gene and 1 variant in the SLCO1B1 gene in the genomic DNA of adults from saliva for the purpose of reporting and interpreting information about the processing of certain therapeutics to inform discussions with a healthcare professional. It does not describe if a person will or will not respond to a particular therapeutic and does not describe the association between detected variants and any specific therapeutic. Our CYP2C19 Pharmacogenetics report provides certain information about variants associated with metabolism of some therapeutics and provides interpretive drug information regarding the potential effect of citalopram and clopidogrel therapy. Results for SLCO1B1 and DPYD and certain CYP2C19 results should be confirmed by an independent genetic test prescribed by your own healthcare provider before taking any medical action.  Warning: Test information should not be used to start, stop, or change any course of treatment and does not test for all possible variants that may affect metabolism or protein function. The PGS test is not a substitute for visits to a healthcare professional. Making changes to your current regimen can lead to harmful side effects or reduced intended benefits of your medication, therefore consult with your healthcare professional before taking any medical action. For important information and limitations regarding Pharmacogenetic reports, visit www.23andMe.com/test-info.

At the 23andMe Research Institute, our mission has always been to turn complex genetic data into meaningful health insights. Today, we are excited to announce the latest addition to our 23andMe+ Premium™ membership: the Raynaud’s Syndrome Polygenic Risk Score (PRS) Report*, which provides an estimate of an individual’s likelihood of having Raynaud’s. Understanding your genetic predisposition can be helpful in taking proactive steps to identifying and managing symptoms of Raynaud’s.

Genetics of Raynaud’s

Raynaud’s syndrome is a condition where small blood vessels in the fingers and toes react more strongly than usual to cold or stress. During a Raynaud’s attack these blood vessels narrow, which temporarily limits blood flow. Skin may change color to white and blue as blood flow decreases and then to red as blood flow returns. For those with darker skin tones, the skin may become pale and then dark purple. 

In the U.S. up to 5% of people have Raynaud’s syndrome, and genetics is known to be a strong contributor. A recent large-scale genome-wide association study (GWAS) identified eight locations in the genome associated with Raynaud’s. These genes play important roles in the body’s stress response, the immune system, and the cells lining blood vessels, providing insights into the biological basis of Raynaud’s and why some people are more likely than others to have the condition.

23andMe researchers independently investigated if it was possible to build a polygenic risk score (PRS) for Raynaud’s. A PRS is a statistical model that uses information from many genetic markers across the genome to estimate an individual’s likelihood of having a condition. Researchers were able to generate a PRS that analyzes more than 2,000 genetic variants to estimate the likelihood of having Raynaud’s syndrome. This PRS, which powers 23andMe’s Raynaud’s Syndrome report, is the product of rigorous genetic research built upon a cycle of discovery driven by data from more than 3 million consented research participants. 

Beyond Genetics: Risk Factors

While your DNA plays a role, several other factors can increase your likelihood of having Raynaud’s, including:

• Birth sex and climate: Raynaud’s is more common in women and those living in colder regions.
• Certain health conditions and medications: Conditions such as scleroderma, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and certain blood vessel diseases can increase risk of secondary Raynaud’s, which is caused by another underlying health condition or other external factor. So can some medications used for high blood pressure, migraine, and ADHD.
• Work environment: Frequent use of vibrating tools or repetitive hand motions (like typing or playing piano) can increase risk for Raynaud’s.

Taking Action

While you can’t change your DNA, understanding your genetics can empower you to manage your environment. If you experience Raynaud’s symptoms, experts recommend:

1. Dress in layers and wear mittens when it’s cold outside, and take steps to stay warm even in air-conditioned rooms or frozen food aisles.
2. Try warming up your car for a minute before driving, and use insulated cups for cold drinks to avoid sudden temperature shifts.
3. Exercise regularly to improve overall blood flow, which can reduce the frequency and severity of Raynaud’s attacks.
4. Limit caffeine and nicotine. Both substances can narrow blood vessels and make Raynaud’s symptoms worse.
5. Since stress can also be a trigger, practices like meditation or deep breathing can help keep attacks at bay.

Discover Your Genetic Predisposition

The Raynaud’s Syndrome PRS report was made possible thanks to millions of consented 23andMe participants who contribute to research. This collaborative effort empowers 23andMe scientists to uncover new genetic insights, deliver personalized information to our members, and potentially help identify future treatments for people to live more comfortably.

If you are a 23andMe+ Premium member, you can now access your Raynaud’s Syndrome PRS Report (along with your other Health Predisposition reports) to see how your genetics influence your chances of having this condition.

Note: Due to limited data, the PRS driving this report failed to meet our performance standards for members of East and Southeast Asian descent, and members from these ancestries are not able to receive a personalized genetic result at this time. We hope with additional data and research we may be able to provide these members a result in the future.

* The 23andMe Raynaud’s Syndrome PRS report is based on a genetic model that includes data and insights from 23andMe consented research participants and incorporates more than 2,000 genetic variants to provide information on the likelihood of experiencing Raynaud’s syndrome. The report does not describe a person’s overall likelihood, does not account for lifestyle or family history and has not been reviewed by the US Food and Drug Administration. The Raynaud’s Syndrome PRS report is not intended to tell you anything about your current state of health, or to be used to make medical decisions or determine any treatment.

Every day, people turn to 23andMe to better understand how their genetics can impact their health. While our DNA kits offer a wealth of information, for many, the most critical discovery is a high-impact health result that can be addressed through personalized medical action.

To understand how these insights translate into real-world care, researchers at 23andMe recently studied over 1,000 consenting participants who received results for medically actionable conditions, such as hereditary cancers and cardiovascular diseases. We wanted to know: are people turning this data into action? The short answer is yes.

Our results, recently published in Genetics in Medicine Open, demonstrate that these high-impact findings are serving as a catalyst for proactive health management. Here are the key takeaways from the study.

People are finding unknown health risks

This study found that most individuals who had a medically actionable genetic variant identified through 23andMe were unaware of their genetic risk beforehand. In fact, 82% of them had no prior clinical genetic testing for that variant, even though most (68%) reported a personal or family history of a related health condition.

These findings are a reminder that most genetic testing is only ordered to help diagnose those who are already sick or those with a strong family history of a condition. And even then, people who do qualify for genetic testing are often missed by the healthcare system^[1][2]. The findings of this study are important because it shows that direct-to-consumer genetic testing can identify people who might otherwise go undetected through traditional healthcare channels.

Genetic results drive real medical action

The most exciting finding? Genetic results don’t just provide new insights, they spur real-world change. When people took their genetic results to a healthcare professional, it often led to important, personalized health actions. Almost 1,500 medical recommendations, including follow-up blood testing, cancer screenings, starting medications and preventive surgery, were made by healthcare professionals based on individuals’ genetic results.

And once those recommendations were given, people followed them! The overall adherence to medical recommendations was high at 88%. Whether it was a recommendation for earlier screenings, medication, or even prophylactic surgery, people followed their doctor’s medical advice and took action based on their genetic results.

There are opportunities for an even greater benefit

While the findings are overwhelmingly positive, the study also identified a few specific ways we can help more people turn high-impact results into meaningful health actions.

• Sharing results with doctors: Less than half of the research participants (46%) in this study reported sharing their results with a healthcare professional. The good news is that for those who did share, 86% received at least one medical recommendation. This means there is a big opportunity to encourage more people to share genetic results with their doctors and for us to make it easier to do so.
• Educating healthcare professionals on genetic testing: We found a gap in how participants felt about their interactions with different types of healthcare professionals. Those who shared results with a specialist were more likely to say that specialists (such as oncologists or cardiologists) were knowledgeable about their results compared to those who shared results with their primary care provider. This highlights a need for more education about genetic testing, especially for frontline primary care providers. Good news, this is exactly what we plan to do. Building on years of engagement with healthcare professionals, the 23andMe Research Institute plans to continue to develop and expand our education and clinical support resources to empower healthcare professionals to turn genetic data into better patient care.
• Addressing health inequity: This study also uncovered a potential disparity. Individuals with variants in the TTR gene, which were more common in non-White individuals, had the lowest rates of prior genetic testing and were less likely to receive medical recommendations after sharing their results with a healthcare professional. This is a critical insight that informs how direct-to-consumer genetic testing could help uncover and address health inequities, especially for conditions that are more common in historically underserved communities.

The takeaway

This study provides powerful evidence that direct-to-consumer genetic testing can make meaningful differences in the healthcare actions taken by individuals and their doctors. High-impact genetic results that are easily accessible and understandable can empower individuals with critical health insights, which, when shared with a healthcare professional, can personalize their care and lead to life-changing preventive actions!

References:

[1] Childers CP et al. (2017). “National Estimates of Genetic Testing in Women With a History of Breast or Ovarian Cancer.” J Clin Oncol. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28820644/ 

[2] Manickam K et al. (2018). “Exome Sequencing-Based Screening for BRCA1/2 Expected Pathogenic Variants Among Adult Biobank Participants.” JAMA Netw Open. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30646163/

A Shared Pursuit of Knowledge

At its core, this collaboration is driven by a shared vision: to identify the genetic underpinnings of behaviors that significantly impact human health. The goal is not just academic; it’s about identifying novel insights that can lead to better prevention, intervention, and treatment strategies for individuals struggling with substance use disorders. By understanding the genetic factors that contribute to these complex traits, researchers can pave the way for more personalized and effective approaches.

The Heart of the Research

These remarkable discoveries would be impossible without the generous contributions of 23andMe research participants. Millions of individuals have voluntarily consented to share their de-identified genetic and health data, providing the large sample sizes that are necessary to identify subtle yet significant genetic associations. This collective effort is the engine driving some of the largest behavioral genetic studies ever conducted. 

A Testament to Enduring Science

Science, by its very nature, takes time. New discoveries often lead to new questions, fueling further exploration. The 12-year span of this partnership is a testament to the dedication and long-term vision of both 23andMe and Drs. Palmer and Sanchez-Roige. It represents a sustained commitment to tackling some of the most challenging questions in human behavior, a commitment that continues to bear fruit.

Proven Through Peer-Reviewed Science

The collaboration’s journey began when the first of three surveys was developed and deployed to 23andMe research participants in 2014. Just three years later, in 2017, the first peer-reviewed publication from this collaboration was published, showing that the online survey taken by 23andMe research participants can effectively be used to identify genetic factors underlying alcohol use disorder. 

Since 2017, the momentum has only grown, with 16 additional papers already published and many more on the horizon. These papers represent a significant contribution to the global scientific community and stand as a direct result of the millions of research participants who have contributed their data and time.

Trusted Partners

From the perspective of Drs. Palmer and Sanchez-Roige, the decision to work with, and crucially, continue working with 23andMe for over a decade speaks volumes about the company’s rigorous research standards and commitment to scientific excellence.

“23andMe offers an unparalleled resource for genetic research,” says Dr. Palmer. “Their commitment to data privacy, ethical research, and the scale of their participant base makes them an ideal collaborator for tackling novel genetic questions that would be nearly impossible to answer elsewhere.”

“One of the reasons we’ve sustained this partnership for over a decade is 23andMe’s commitment to ethical oversight,” continues Dr. Palmer. “Every study we conduct is overseen by an independent Institutional Review Board (IRB), ensuring that participant privacy and informed consent are always the top priority. It allows us to focus on our research questions because we know 23andMe has systems in place to uphold the highest ethical standards.”

“What makes 23andMe a truly unique research environment is the strong engagement of the participants,” says Dr. Sanchez-Roige. “Unlike traditional studies that might take years to recruit a few hundred people, we can deploy a survey and receive thousands of thoughtful responses in a matter of days. This agility allows us to ask entirely new questions about behavior and environment, collecting the rich phenotypic data necessary to understand complex issues like aspects related to opioid use in ways we never could before.”

Dr. Sanchez-Roige continues, “working with the 23andMe Research Institute is more than just having access to a database; it has been a productive collaboration with outstanding colleagues. And the research participants are also devoted to contributing to science, meaning we aren’t just looking at static data; we are actively learning from millions of people who are as interested in these scientific answers as we are.”

Looking Ahead

As this research moves into the next phase of this partnership, the focus is expanding beyond genetics alone. Dr. Palmer says, “our recent work has demonstrated that answers to survey questions — even without genetic data — are powerful predictors for identifying individuals at risk for opioid use disorder.” Dr. Sanchez-Roige adds, “The data we’ve collected argues strongly for using a few questions to flag a small subset of individuals who are at high risk for opioid addiction before it’s too late. This project is ongoing, our survey on opioid use is still available for 23andMe research participants as we seek to obtain 500,000 completed responses.”

A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Participants

The true scale of this achievement is best measured in the time and dedication of research participants. “To put it in perspective, a single 15-minute survey that receives 500,000 responses represents the equivalent of 14.25 years of research participant time!” says Dr. Palmer. The ability to crowdsource data at this scale, in genotyped individuals, is what makes the 23andMe Research Institute a trusted research partner and a global leader in genetics and behavioral science.

The insights gained over the last 12 years are already reshaping how we understand the human experience. As we continue to ask new questions and uncover new associations, we move closer to a world where substance use disorders are met with better tools, deeper empathy, and more effective treatments.

Complete the Opioid Pain Medication Survey to help advance research efforts focused on the connection between genes and opioids.

Reference to UC San Diego does not imply endorsement or support of any product, service or company involved.

In 2005, archaeologists discovered a joint tomb just outside the ancient Chinese capital of Chang’an (modern-day Xi’an). According to inscriptions found at the site, the tomb belonged to a man named Li Dan and his wife, a couple who had been laid to rest there approximately 1,500 years ago.

While a DNA test cannot technically “prove” if two people were in love, their shared burial and the unique mix of designs inspired by two distinctive cultures found on their tomb suggest a connection that defied geographical barriers.

A Mystery Written in Stone

For centuries, the story of this couple was a riddle hidden in plain sight. Li Dan’s funeral inscription made two contradictory claims: it stated he was a descendant of prestigious Chinese aristocratic clans, yet it also identified his father and grandfather as Brahmins from ancient South Asian kingdoms.

The rest of the tomb only added to the mystery, as it featured a fusion of cultures. Although the tomb was built in a traditional Chinese architectural style, it was decorated with a mixture of local mythical figures, like the Four Divine Beasts, and foreign guardians that resembled Buddhist statues from India. Even more striking was the discovery of a gold coin from the Eastern Roman Empire found in the wife’s mouth—a custom common along the Silk Road but far from the local norm.

A Cross-Border Connection Written in DNA

Late last year, a team of researchers decided to study the couple’s DNA to help resolve the contradictions found in their tomb. The results provided the first direct genomic evidence of a 6th-century couple with such distinct ancestral backgrounds.

Genetic analysis revealed that Li Dan had northern South Asian ancestry. His genetic profile showed broad similarities to present-day Brahmin groups, supporting the inscriptions on his tomb suggesting his family belonged to this community. In contrast, his wife’s ancestry was local to Chang’an, tracing back to ancient farmers of the Middle Yellow River in northern China. The unique mix of Chinese and South Asian influences discovered in their tomb reflects a blending of cultures that likely characterized their lives.

A Home at the Heart of the World

We may never know how they felt about each other, but their tomb tells us how they may have lived. Li Dan was a high-status traveler who arrived in Chang’an to expound Buddhist scriptures after studying in the kingdom of Jibin. Rather than remaining an outsider, he settled down, married a local woman, and adopted a Chinese surname, all while keeping the traditions of his homeland alive.

This Valentine’s Day, their story reminds us that even 1,500 years ago, the most enduring connections can bridge different worlds.

Learn More

Want to see if you’re genetically connected to this ancient couple, or to hundreds of other historical individuals? The Historical Matches^SM feature is available to 23andMe+ Premium™ members.