Every April 25th, the genetics community marks DNA Day: the anniversary of the <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/13054692/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">1953 publication</a> in Nature describing the double helix and the <a href="https://www.genome.gov/about-genomics/educational-resources/fact-sheets/human-genome-project" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2003 completion of the Human Genome Project</a>. It&#8217;s a moment to celebrate and reflect on how far the science has come. This year at 23andMe that celebration is extra special. 23andMe turns 20 in 2026, and the overlap of these two milestones is a testament to what becomes possible when a revolutionary molecule meets a revolutionary idea.&nbsp;



Two decades ago, a small team in California decided that the human genome shouldn&#8217;t belong only to researchers in white coats. It should belong to everyone. That bet changed the course of personal genomics, and on this DNA Day it&#8217;s worth celebrating just how far that vision has taken us.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-beginning">The Beginning</h2>



When Anne Wojcicki and her co-founders launched 23andMe in 2006, the direct-to-consumer genetics industry simply didn&#8217;t exist. Most people weren&#8217;t sure why they would ever want to see their own genome, and many experts thought the public couldn&#8217;t handle this information. But the 23andMe vision was straightforward: understand the human genome and help build a different kind of healthcare system — one driven by the people and for the people. At the time, that sounded audacious. Looking back, it sounds prescient.



The most consequential idea embedded in 23andMe&#8217;s founding wasn&#8217;t just that people deserved access to their own genetic data, it was that those same people, at scale, could become active participants in scientific discovery. And the discoveries shouldn&#8217;t stop at the journal page. When research yields new findings, those insights should be translated back into reports delivered directly to 23andMe members.



The goal was always for the data to come &#8220;full circle&#8221; and help the very people who contributed their information. 23andMe created something that had never existed before: a research engine powered by millions of consented participants who wanted to understand themselves and, in doing so, help others.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-twenty-years-built">What Twenty Years Built</h2>



The most visible impact of this model has been on individual health. When 23andMe received its first <a href="https://mediacenter.23andme.com/press-releases/fdabloomupdate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">FDA authorization</a> to report health information directly to consumers, it was a landmark moment. It validated the entire premise that people have the right to understand their own biology without a gatekeeper standing in the way. Over the years, additional FDA clearances followed, each one expanding what members could learn about their <a href="https://mediacenter.23andme.com/press-releases/23andme-inc-granted-first-fda-authorization-market-direct-consumer-genetic-health-risk-reports/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">genetic risk</a> for health conditions, <a href="https://mediacenter.23andme.com/press-releases/23andme-granted-first-fda-authorization-direct-consumer-genetic-test-cancer-risk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hereditary cancers</a>, and even <a href="https://mediacenter.23andme.com/press-releases/23andme-granted-the-first-and-only-fda-authorization-for-direct-to-consumer-pharmacogenetic-reports/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pharmacogenetic responses</a> to medications.&nbsp;



Those health insights also brought together a community of research participants, who made possible research at a scale that academia and pharma simply couldn&#8217;t replicate on their own. By inviting members to opt in to participate in research, 23andMe built one of the world&#8217;s largest resources for genetic discovery; and more than 90% of the member base has chosen to opt in and join us in this research. That consent-first, community-powered flywheel has now produced over 300 published studies.



The breadth of what this research community has made possible over twenty years is difficult to compress into any single list, but a few studies stand out:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>In 2016, drawing on data from over 450,000 research participants, 23andMe co-authored what became a landmark study in <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/ng.3623" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Genetics</a> that identified 15 genomic regions associated with <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/genetic-links-depression" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">major depression</a>. This was the first time researchers had cracked the genetics of depression in people of European descent, breaking through years of failed attempts by studies simply too small to find anything.</li>



<li>That same crowdsourced model powered some of the most important <a href="https://www.23andme.com/pd/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Parkinson&#8217;s disease</a> genetics work of the last decade. In collaboration with the Michael J. Fox Foundation, 23andMe has helped build one of the largest Parkinson&#8217;s research cohorts in the world, identifying dozens of novel genetic associations that continue to shape drug development today.</li>



<li>When the <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/23andme-covid-study-published" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">COVID-19 pandemic</a> struck, 23andMe mobilized its community rapidly. In less than four months more than a million 23andMe customers consented to participate in this research leading to <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41588-021-00854-7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">a study</a> that showed people with type O blood were less likely to contract the virus or test positive after exposure, demonstrating the unique speed at which population-scale genomics can respond to an emerging public health crisis.</li>



<li>In 2020, our researchers leveraged genetic data from nearly 50,000 people to produce one of the most <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/transatlantic-slave-trade-paper" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">comprehensive investigations of the transatlantic slave trade</a> ever conducted. We confirmed <a href="https://www.cell.com/ajhg/fulltext/S0002-9297(20)30200-7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">genetic links</a> between regions in the Americas and areas along the Atlantic coast of Africa, and dated the arrival of specific African populations to different parts of the Western Hemisphere.<a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/transatlantic-slave-trade-paper"> </a>Three years later, researchers published a study in <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/full/10.1126/science.ade4995" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science</a> that used ancient DNA to identify nearly 42,000 living Americans with genetic connections to 27 enslaved individuals buried at <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/historical-dna-connection-to-early-enslaved-and-free-african-americans" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Maryland&#8217;s Catoctin Furnace</a> — including close relatives still living in Maryland, two centuries later. These studies are a reminder that a genetic database is not just a scientific instrument. It can also be a tool for healing.</li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A Signal of What&#8217;s Coming</h2>



Our <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/glp-1-medications-why-your-dna-matters" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">GLP-1 paper</a>, published just weeks ago in <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-026-10330-z" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a>, captures what the next twenty years could look like. Our team conducted a large-scale genome-wide association study drawing on data from over 27,000 individuals who had used GLP-1 medications: drugs like semaglutide and tirzepatide that have transformed the management of obesity, but which produce variable results from patient to patient. Just seven months after launching the survey (a remarkably rapid pace for work of this kind), 23andMe researchers found that some of that variability has a genetic explanation. At the same time this work was published we launched a new report and interactive tool related to GLP-1 medications to 23andMe+ <a href="https://www.23andme.com/total-health/wl-mrr?utm_source=23andme&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=wlmrr_april_2026" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Total Health</a>™ members.



This is what precision medicine actually looks like in practice. The vision is that before starting a GLP-1 drug, a patient could receive a personalized profile indicating their likelihood of weight loss and potential side effects, a dramatic shift from the current trial-and-error approach that leaves many patients frustrated and undertreated. The 23andMe Research Institute aims to continue to share the power of our crowdsourced research community to benefit human health.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Looking Forward</h2>



The road to get here has not always been straightforward. The company has faced real challenges, recently and throughout its history; those of us who&#8217;ve been here through them feel that honestly. But the mission has not changed, it has found a new home in our nonprofit commitment. Our Founder and CEO Anne Wojcicki has said her belief in the company and its future is unwavering, and the commitment to providing access to, and benefit from, genetics remains the north star. The science hasn&#8217;t gotten less important. If anything, it&#8217;s gotten more urgent.



Anne once said &#8220;the future is dripping with possibilities.&#8221; Twenty years in, we believe that more than ever. We have discovered enough of the genome to know how much remains a mystery. We have helped enough people to know how many more could be helped. On this DNA Day, seventy-three years after Watson and Crick and twenty years after 23andMe opened our doors, we raise a glass to what&#8217;s been achieved, and roll up our sleeves to create a future where breakthroughs belong to all of us.

Sr. Manager, Product Science

Alisa Lehman

Twenty Years of Reading the Code of Life and We’re Just Getting Started

Today is DNA Day, and while every day at 23andMe is about DNA, this one is extra special because it allows everyone to delight in the power of DNA.



Whether you are a 23andMe customer or just DNA curious, there is a lot you can do if you’d like to start or deepen your genetic journey and take action to participate in the new genomic age.



We’ll get to that, but first, take a moment to learn —or refresh your knowledge — about what we’re celebrating.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-double-helix-celebration">A Double Helix Celebration</h2>



<a href="https://www.genome.gov/dna-day">DNA Day</a> commemorates the anniversary of the 1953 discovery of the double helix structure of DNA and the 2003 completion of the human genome project that led to the sequencing of the human genome for the first time. That code represents the building blocks of life, and it gives us access to information that has already led to medical and scientific breakthroughs, as well as an understanding of the human story.



23andMe was founded in 2006, not long after the publication of the mapping of the human genome. Our mission then and now is to help people access, understand, and benefit from the human genome.&nbsp;



Not too long ago, 23andMe surpassed 15 million genotyped customers, each of whom chose to begin their genetic journey with us. We’d like to invite you along as well, or if you’re already a customer, we’d like to share with you how to go a little further on this journey.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-first-steps">First Steps</h2>



If you’re not yet a customer, your first step could be to spit in a tube provided in one of our test kits and send it to our lab. At the lab, technicians extract DNA from your saliva, which is placed on a genotyping chip.



Here’s <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtxX_3nVDao">a little video</a> about the different services we offer customers and what they can tell you about your health, traits, and ancestry.



Of course, if you don’t want to use 23andMe or don’t want to use a genetic test, there are plenty of great and free options for learning more about genetics. One of our go-to resources is the <a href="https://www.genome.gov/about-genomics">National Human Genome Research Institute</a>, but many other options exist.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-open-and-explore-your-reports">Open and Explore Your Reports</h2>



Like with any exploration, you don’t know what you might find in using 23andMe that could draw you deeper into your DNA exploration.



Customers might want to learn more about their health, find DNA relatives, or learn about their genetic ancestry. Some people are just curious and want to geek out on genetics.&nbsp;



If you’ve taken that first step and tested, the next step is to open your reports. Some Genetic Health Risk Reports*—such as those on Late-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease, BRCA1/BRCA2 (Selected Variants), and Parkinson’s Disease, for instance—require an additional opt-in before opening. But whatever reports you’re looking at, we have tutorials on navigating them and where to start.



Our <a href="https://www.23andme.com/dna-ancestry/">Ancestry Service</a> has the most comprehensive ancestry breakdown on the market; it now includes more than 3000 geographic regions, an automatic family tree builder, and more than 30 trait reports. As 23andMe grows, so does our ability to improve the granularity and specificity of the regions we offer in our ancestry report. For instance, we added 36 new Genetic Groups in France and Belgium.&nbsp;



23andMe’s <a href="https://www.23andme.com/dna-health-ancestry/">Health + Ancestry Service</a> includes everything you get in the Ancestry Service plus health predisposition reports (including FDA-authorized reports), wellness reports, carrier status reports, and a family health history tree feature. In all, the service includes more than 150 personalized reports.



The 23andMe+ Premium membership includes everything in the Health + Ancestry Service plus more than 30 PRS reports, including reports on three of the most common forms of cancer and reports on heart health and mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. In addition, the service includes FDA-authorized reports on how your genetics may impact the way you process certain types of medications.** 23andMe+ Premium also includes tools and features such as <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/stay-on-track-with-23andme-health-tracks">Health Tracks</a>SM and <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/a-health-action-plan-for-you">Health Action Plan</a> to help you get even more personalized recommendations. Most recently, we’ve added a new ancestry feature called <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/23andmes-historic-matches">Historical Matches</a>SM that helps determine whether you connect to one or more of 335 historical people across the globe.&nbsp;



For those who want our most advanced and comprehensive health membership, we offer <a href="https://www.23andme.com/total-health/">23andMe+ Total Health</a>***, which includes next-generation sequencing that detects 200x more disease-causing genetic variants*. This new membership offers more than 190 genetic reports from 23andMe+ Premium, along with clinician-ordered exome sequencing to help identify disease risks and biannual blood testing with advanced cardiometabolic biomarkers. You&#8217;ll have direct access to clinicians trained in genetics-informed care to receive a personalized health plan tailored to you



Whatever services you’re using with 23andMe, we offer a guide to <a href="https://www.23andme.com/compare-dna-tests/">get started with your reports</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-participate-in-research">Participate in Research</h2>



What is something in you, something in your DNA, that could help scientists better understand a disease or develop a new treatment or cure?&nbsp;



One of the many innovations 23andMe pioneered is our research model, which allows people to consent to participate in research. The guiding principle for 23andMe is transparency and choice. It’s a choice whether someone wants to access their genetic information, and 23andMe also gives our customers a choice about whether they want to participate in research. More than 80 percent of 23andMe customers actively consent to participate in research.&nbsp;



Our research database, which contains aggregated de-identified genetic and phenotypic data, is by far the largest research database of its kind.&nbsp;



It’s helped not just our scientists but academic and institutional researchers with whom we’ve collaborated on more than <a href="https://research.23andme.com/publications/#publications">250 publications</a> on neurological conditions, cancers, and rare diseases. There are also ongoing research studies for <a href="https://www.23andme.com/PD/">Parkinson’s Disease,</a> <a href="https://www.23andme.com/genetic-insights-into-colorectal-cancer-black-community/">Colorectal Cancer within the Black Community</a>, and <a href="https://www.23andme.com/sickle-cell/">Sickle Cell</a>. And we continue to work on other conditions, including <a href="https://www.23andme.com/depression-bipolar/">depression and bipolar disorder</a>, <a href="https://www.23andme.com/sarcoidosis-representation/">sarcoidosis</a>, and <a href="https://you.23andme.com/covid19-study/">COVID</a>.&nbsp;



Another aspect of this work is ensuring that our research is more representative and thus benefits people of all backgrounds. Unfortunately, much of genetic research to date lacks diversity, which has meant that people of non-European backgrounds often do not benefit from those insights. 23andMe is trying to change that. Our Black Representation in Genomic Research study, for instance, has made great strides at engaging with communities that have historically been left out of research.&nbsp;



You can also help. If you’re a customer of 23andMe, you can consent to participate in research at any time through your Account Settings; if you’re not, you can seek out opportunities to participate in research through the <a href="https://allofus.nih.gov/">National Institutes of Health’s All of Us</a> effort, for example, or the Veteran’s Administration <a href="https://www.research.va.gov/mvp/">Million Veterans Program</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-share-your-story">Share Your Story</h2>



It’s always been heartening for us at 23andMe to hear from our customers and those who participate in our research about how launching their DNA journey has impacted them.&nbsp;



Whether they’ve learned more about their <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/23andme-connects-living-family-to-enslaved-african-american-from-historic-site">family’s ancestral journey</a>, discovered <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbWirWghCJA">life-saving information</a> about family members, or joined with others to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JzErEQFPIU">participate in crucial genetic research</a>, their stories inspire us all.&nbsp;



If you have a story to share, <a href="https://www.23andme.com/stories/#submit">we’d love to hear it</a>.



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



*23andMe health predisposition reports include both reports that meet FDA requirements for genetic health risks and reports that are based on 23andMe research and have not been reviewed by the FDA. The test uses qualitative genotyping to detect select clinically relevant variants in the genomic DNA of adults from saliva for the purpose of reporting and interpreting genetic health risks. It is not intended to diagnose any disease. Your ethnicity may affect the relevance of each report and how your genetic health risk results are interpreted. Each genetic health risk report describes if a person has variants associated with a higher risk of developing a disease, but does not describe a person’s overall risk of developing the disease. The test is not intended to tell you anything about your current state of health or to be used to make medical decisions, including whether or not you should take a medication, how much of a medication you should take, or determine any treatment. For certain conditions, we provide a single report that includes information on both carrier status and genetic health risk. 



Warnings &amp; Limitations: The 23andMe PGS Genetic Health Risk Report for BRCA1/BRCA2 (Selected Variants) is indicated for reporting 44 variants in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. The report describes if a person&#8217;s genetic result is associated with an increased risk of developing breast cancer and ovarian cancer and may be associated with an increased risk for prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, and potentially other cancers. The variants included in this report do not represent the majority of the BRCA1/BRCA2 variants in people of most ethnicities. 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. This report is for over-the-counter use by adults over the age of 18 and provides genetic information to inform discussions with a healthcare professional. The PGS test is not a substitute for visits to a healthcare professional for recommended screenings or appropriate follow-up. Results should be confirmed by an independent genetic test prescribed by your own healthcare provider before taking any medical action. For important information and limitations regarding each genetic health risk report, visit <a href="https://www.23andme.com/test-info/">23andme.com/test-info/</a>. 



**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. Our CYP2C19 Pharmacogenetics report provides certain information about variants associated with the metabolism of some therapeutics and provides interpretive drug information regarding the potential effect of citalopram and clopidogrel therapy. Our SLCO1B1 Pharmacogenetics report provides certain information about variants associated with the processing of some therapeutics and provides interpretive drug information regarding the potential effect of simvastatin therapy. Our DPYD Pharmacogenetics report does not describe the association between detected variants and any specific therapeutic. Results for 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 <a href="http://23andme.com/test-info/pharmacogenetics/">23andme.com/test-info/pharmacogenetics/</a> 



***Total Health is not available to residents of HI, NJ, NY, OK, RI and US territories. Not currently available to existing 23andMe customers. <a href="https://www.23andme.com/total-health/#sign-up">Sign up</a> to be the first to know when it’s available.



Exome Sequencing and blood testing services are available to eligible customers upon completion of the intake questionnaire that must be reviewed, approved and ordered by a third-party clinician. Exome Sequencing is analyzed by a CLIA- and CAP-accredited laboratory. Blood testing is completed by Quest Diagnostics. All telehealth services are provided in accordance with the Telehealth Terms and Consent Telehealth.



‡Our genotyping product detects 250 health-related variants in our Carrier Status and Genetic Health Risk reports. The Exome Sequencing reports detect 50,000+ hereditary disease-causing variants.&nbsp;

23andMe Blog

23andMe Blog Team

Happy DNA Day 2024

This week we celebrate<a href="http://www.genome.gov/10506367"> National DNA Day</a>!



<figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-medium"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="300" height="169" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/DNA_Day_20th_Anniversary_dyn-300x169.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-31695" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/DNA_Day_20th_Anniversary_dyn-300x169.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/DNA_Day_20th_Anniversary_dyn.jpg 480w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></figure>



Every day at 23andMe is DNA Day really, but this day, in particular, is special because it marks the 20th anniversary of the mapping of the human genome. It also marks the 70th anniversary of the discovery of the double helix structure of DNA. So it’s a twofer anniversary.



There’s a lot planned this year. Along with some fun 23andMe will be having in Times Square in New York (check out our <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CrbRj7At2Dz/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Instagram</a> for the full schedule and to see some of the fun), 23andMe is also participating in a symposium sponsored by the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI). There’s also a nifty map that the NHGRI put together listing other events in the US and around the world you can check out here.



The NHGRI symposium will feature a number of leading experts in the field of genetics, including Francis Collins, the former director of the NHGRI. Collins will deliver a talk on the history of genetic science and its future. Other speakers will include current NHGRI director, Eric Green, and Joyce Tung, Ph.D., Vice President of Research at 23andMe.



The symposium is free, open to the public, and will be held virtually on April 25, 2023. To register, please visit the NHGRI website. To attend the conference virtually, go here.



We hope you will join us in celebrating National DNA Day! This is an important opportunity to learn more about our genes and how they impact our health. It is also a chance to celebrate the progress that has been made in genetic research and to look forward to the future of this field.



Happy DNA Day everybody!

DNA Day 2023

We’re all about the science here at 23andMe, and that’s what makes <a href="https://www.genome.gov/dna-day">DNA Day</a> so special for us here. 
Established back in 2003, DNA Day was meant to commemorate two big milestones — the discovery of the double-helix structure of DNA in 1953; and the decoding of the human genome 50 years later. DNA Day has become more than just a day to commemorate those milestones, but also a day to educate. 
So here’s a quick primer on those two milestones.
&nbsp;

 <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-style-default"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="711" height="400" src="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/2DNADAY.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-28852" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/2DNADAY.jpg 711w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/2DNADAY-300x169.jpg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 711px) 100vw, 711px" /></figure>
 
<h6>Watson and Crick</h6>
James Watson and Francis Crick published their description of the <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12667029?ordinalpos=18&#038;itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum">structure of DNA</a> on April 23, 1953, in the journal Nature. In 1962, the pair, along with Maurie Wilkins, won a Nobel prize for their work. It is still considered one of the most significant scientific contributions of the last century. 
Left out of that recognition was <a href="http://profiles.nlm.nih.gov/KR/">Rosalind Franklin</a>, whose x-ray images of DNA were critical to solving its structure. She passed away in 1958. You can learn about her career and her contributions at “<a href="https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/photo51/">The Secret of Photo 51,</a>” which was put together for the PBS program NOVA several years ago.
&nbsp;

 <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-style-default"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="600" height="600" src="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/dna.png" alt="" class="wp-image-25152" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/dna.png 600w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/dna-150x150.png 150w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/dna-300x300.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/dna-271x271.png 271w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/dna-372x372.png 372w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/dna-574x574.png 574w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px" /></figure>
 
<h6>Human Genome Project</h6>
Over 13-years, the <a href="https://www.genome.gov/10001772">Human Genome Project</a> mustered resources from the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Institutes of Health with the goal of mapping the human genome. A massive team of scientists worked to identify all the more than 20,000 genes in human DNA and determine the sequence of the three billion base pairs that make up the human genome. They completed the work in 2003. 
For a much more detailed look at the history and accomplishments from the project go to the National Human Genome Institute’s <a href="https://www.genome.gov/human-genome-project">Human Genome Project</a> page, or to take a look at the data go to the <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/genome/guide/human/">NCBI Human Genome Resources</a> page.
<h6>23andMe</h6>
23andMe formed just three years after scientists sketched out that first rough draft of the human genome. Our mission remains to help people access, understand, and benefit from the human genome. 
Now 15 years on, 23andMe opened up personal <a href="https://www.23andme.com/stories/">discoveries</a> for millions of customers, offering consumers direct access to <a href="https://www.23andme.com/compare-dna-tests/">genetic testing</a> without the need of an intermediary. 23andMe has also become a tool for people to learn about and explore genetics and participate in important genetic <a href="https://research.23andme.com/">research</a>.
As our CEO and co-founder Anne Wojcicki once said about 23andMe:
“We’re not just a genetics company. We’re not just a health company; we’re not just ancestry; we’re all of these things. We want to tell you about you.”
Find out more <a href="https://www.23andme.com/about/">here</a>.

A image of double helix showing a variant

DNA Day 2021

A new national survey shows a keen interest in DNA testing primarily driven by people’s desire to know more about their potential health risks.<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/DNA-Discovery-300x248.png" alt="" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-26142" width="300" height="248" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/DNA-Discovery-300x248.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/DNA-Discovery-768x634.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/DNA-Discovery-1024x845.png 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/DNA-Discovery-880x726.png 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/DNA-Discovery-1180x974.png 1180w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/DNA-Discovery.png 1270w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />
The survey, conducted by 23andMe in the lead up to<a href="https://www.genome.gov/26525485/about-dna-day/"> DNA Day</a>, asked consumers a range of questions to gauge both their understanding and interest in genetic testing.* Just as in all the surveys the company has done since 2013, a majority of consumers said they were interested in testing.
But this year saw a slight increase over last year in the percentage of respondents who said they were either extremely or somewhat interested in using DNA testing to find out about their health. The survey found that 74 percent were interested in testing to learn about health risks, which is a 3 percent increase over last year.
<h6>Potential Health Risks</h6>
Most striking of all is that learning about health risks drives the most interest in DNA testing. The survey found that two-thirds of respondents ranked health information as their top consideration for testing. Interestingly, the same percentage of those surveyed ranked their interest in ancestry information as those who said a desire to <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/23andme-research/participating-in-23andme-research-a-customers-perspective/">contribute to genetic research</a> was a primary driver for their interest in testing.
“It’s encouraging to see consumers value the core of 23andMe’s mission,” said Jhulianna Cintron, 23andMe’s consumer genetics trends expert. “We want everyone to benefit from the science around the human genome, and that’s why health, ancestry and research have always been at the core of what we do.”
<div id="attachment_27027" style="width: 708px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-27027" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/DNA-Day-Survey.png" alt="" class="wp-image-27027 size-full" width="698" height="352" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/DNA-Day-Survey.png 698w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/DNA-Day-Survey-300x151.png 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 698px) 100vw, 698px" />Learning about potential health risk was the primary driver in their interest in DNA testing, according to a new survey by 23andMe.</div>
23andMe began conducting annual surveys measuring consumers’ interest in DNA testing in 2013. At that time, estimates were that fewer than half a million people had done an at-home DNA test. Since then interest in genetic testing has soared. One estimate suggests that more than<a href="https://www.technologyreview.com/s/612880/more-than-26-million-people-have-taken-an-at-home-ancestry-test/"> 26 million people</a> have taken an at-home DNA test. That surge in interest has come with references to testing<a href="https://www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/jon-snow-emails-23andme-about-his-dna-results"> sprinkled in popular culture</a>, and daily news coverage. 
<h6>Genetic Literacy</h6>
But people’s deep interest in genetic testing is often out ahead of their understanding of the science. The survey shows there is room for improvement in basic genetic literacy, which mirrors other national surveys that show a general need for<a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/science/2019/03/28/what-americans-know-about-science/"> science literacy</a>.
23andMe’s 2019 survey found that fewer than half of those asked, 41 percent, knew that DNA is organized into chromosomes, for example. While most of those surveyed, 57 percent, understood that genetic research can help lead to new treatments for disease, only 39 percent knew that genetics can play a role in a person’s risk for<a href="https://www.23andme.com/pd/"> Parkinson’s disease</a>. More than 70 percent of those asked were unaware that a person’s genetics can impact how likely it is for them to have a stronger or weaker reaction to<a href="https://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm624753.htm"> different medications</a>.
While the survey found gaps in genetic literacy, it also showed a continued interest in leveraging genetic information to learn more about their own health. A majority of those surveyed, 62 percent, also said that information could help them make lifestyle changes to improve their health. And 66 percent said they would be interested in learning about genetic variants that they could pass on to their children that could increase the risk for certain diseases.
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All in all the survey indicates that people’s interest in DNA testing remains strong, and it is not driven by just one thing, but a desire to learn not only about potential health risks, or their ancestral heritage, but also a willingness to contribute to important research that might help others. And no matter their motivation, the vast majority of Americans, 85 percent, said that they have a right to access their genetic information with an at-home genetic test directly.
*23andMe DNA Survey, conducted in April 2019. The online survey included 1,500 nationally representative Americans who were 18 years old or older. The margin of error is +/- 3 percent.

People Want to Know About Potential Health Risks

We at 23andMe have a special place in our hearts for today, <a href="https://www.genome.gov/10506367" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">National DNA Day</a>.
There are many ways to celebrate this special science holiday, ranging from making DNA-themed bracelets to constructing helical origami, but we think one of the best ways is to learn something new about DNA and, in the process, yourself.  
We already help people understand more about human genetics through our “<a href="https://www.23andme.com/gen101/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Genetics 101</a>” resources, but there is always more to learn.  That’s why <a href="https://www.23andme.com/about/press/khan_academy">we’re teaming up with the Khan Academy</a> to bring genetics education to a bigger audience.
In addition, 23andMe partners with high schools, colleges, and universities to improve understanding of genetic information and to foster a dialogue about personalized medicine. We offer several resources for academic classes with a focus on genetics, medicine, human biology, anthropology, or bioethics, including significantly reduced rates on our Personal Genome Service ®.
You can learn more about 23andMe’s academic program at www.23andme.com/academic/.
DNA day is not just about learning more science &#8212; it is about learning more about yourself. Your genetic code is as complex and fascinating as you are.  
Go ahead and <a href="https://www.23andme.com/store" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">take a look</a> — it is time to celebrate DNA and time to celebrate <a href="https://www.23andme.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">you</a>!
<div style="background-color: #ffc; padding: 10px; margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 15px; border: 1px solid #ccc;">They say a picture is worth a thousand words &#8212; Check back later today for an  <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/2012/04/20/genetic-similarities-of-mice-and-men/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">image</a> that illustrates our genetic similarities to other organisms.  Learn more about DNA today!</div>
<div style="background-color: #eee; padding: 10px; margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 15px; border: 1px solid #ccc;">23andMe is not offering any promotional pricing for DNA Day this year. We are celebrating DNA Day this year instead by focusing on educational opportunities.</div>

DNA Day: Educate and Celebrate

The tenth anniversary of the completion of the first draft of the human genome is approaching, apparently putting a lot of scientists in the mood for reflection on the past and speculation about the future of genetics.
The journal Nature has a series of opinion articles and two news articles on the subject. &nbsp; All are available online free of charge. &nbsp; There are also other human genome related materials available at <a href="https://www.nature.com/news/specials/humangenome/index.html#editorial" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Human Genome at Ten</a>.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright size-full wp-image-6314" title="81-72" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/81-72.jpg" alt="" width="377" height="282" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/81-72.jpg 500w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/81-72-300x225.jpg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 377px) 100vw, 377px" />Researchers working at an NHGRI-supported large-scale sequencing center./The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard/NHGRI multimedia gallery
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v464/n7289/full/464674a.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Has the revolution arrived? — Francis Collins</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v464/n7289/full/464676a.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Multiple personal genomes await — J. Craig Venter</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v464/n7289/full/464678a.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Point: Hypotheses First &#8211; Robert Weinberg</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v464/n7289/full/464679a.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Counterpoint: Data first &#8211; Todd Golub</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.nature.com/news/2010/100331/full/464664a.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Life is complicated — Erika Check Hayden</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.nature.com/news/2010/100331/full/464668a.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The human race — Alison Abbott</a></li>
</ul>
The British Medical Journal features a debate between two scientists over whether modern genetics is &#8220;blind alley.&#8221; &nbsp; These articles are also available free of charge.
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/340/mar30_2/c1156?maxtoshow=&amp;hits=10&amp;RESULTFORMAT=&amp;fulltext=blind+alley&amp;searchid=1&amp;FIRSTINDEX=0&amp;sortspec=date&amp;resourcetype=HWCIT" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Is modern genetics a blind alley? Yes — James Le Fanu</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/340/mar30_2/c1088?maxtoshow=&amp;hits=10&amp;RESULTFORMAT=&amp;fulltext=blind+alley&amp;searchid=1&amp;FIRSTINDEX=0&amp;sortspec=date&amp;resourcetype=HWCIT" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Is modern genetics a blind alley? No — D J Weatherall</a></li>
</ul>
It&#8217;s not just the anniversary of the draft sequence that looms. &nbsp; DNA Day, which was created in 2003 by a congressional resolution to celebrate the completion of the Human Genome Project and the 50th anniversary of the description of the double-helix structure of DNA by James D. Watson and Francis H.C. Crick, is coming up on April 25th. &nbsp; To accommodate classroom schedules, many events will be taking place on Friday, April 23rd.
We&#8217;ll be rounding up a listing of DNA Day activities in the coming week or so, but you can start your preparations by checking our listing of fun DNA activities.

Genetics: Looking Back and Looking Forward

<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright size-full wp-image-3410" title="istock_000002436798xsmall" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/istock_000002436798xsmall.jpg" alt="" width="374" height="248" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/istock_000002436798xsmall.jpg 425w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/istock_000002436798xsmall-300x199.jpg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 374px) 100vw, 374px" />
DNA Day was created in 2003 by a congressional resolution to celebrate two important milestones in the study of genetics: the 50th anniversary of the description of the double-helix structure of DNA by James D. Watson and Francis H.C. Crick and the completion of the Human Genome Project. DNA Day is usually celebrated on April 25th, but to accommodate classroom schedules, many activities will be taking place a day early on Friday April 24th.
<ul>
<li>DNA Day Chatroom: The National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) will be hosting its annual <a href="https://www.genome.gov/20519689" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">DNA Day chatroom</a> from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., EDT on April 24th. Genomics and genetics experts will answer questions from students, teachers and the general public on topics ranging from basic genomic research to the genetic basis of disease to ethical questions about genetic privacy. Transcripts from past chatrooms can be found <a href="https://www.genome.gov/20519689" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>.</li>
<li>Teaching Tools for DNA Day: To plan your own DNA Day activities, check out the NHGRI’s collection of <a href="https://www.genome.gov/20519692" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">teaching tools</a> and webcasts. &nbsp; And don&#8217;t miss our collection of DNA-themed activities.</li>
<li>DNA Day Online: National DNA Day is on Facebook and Twitter. &nbsp; You can compete to win a NHGRI mug in their DNA model photo contest. &nbsp; Pictures can be uploaded through April 24th. &nbsp; You can also send a virtual gene via Facebook (thanks to <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/2008/05/02/giving-the-gift-of-a-virtual-gene/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Genome Alberta</a>) or send a DNA Day e-card.</li>
</ul>
What are you doing to celebrate? &nbsp; Leave us a comment — we’d love to know. &nbsp; And if you know of any cool DNA Day happenings, let us know about those too!

DNA Day 2009 — It’s Almost Here!

<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright size-full wp-image-2073" title="studentdna" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/studentdna.jpg" alt="" width="350" height="233" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/studentdna.jpg 350w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/studentdna-300x200.jpg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px" />
For many people, the first and last place they will ever study genetics is high school biology class. So it is crucial that these classes prepare people to deal with the barrage of genetic advancements that are increasingly impacting everyday life.
Unfortunately, many high school biology courses are not doing such a good job of communicating the fundamentals of genetics, according to an analysis by researchers from the American Society for Human Genetics (<a href="http://www.ashg.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ASHG</a>).
For three years now the ASHG, along with several partners, has sponsored the Annual National DNA Day Essay Contest. The contest challenges high school students to examine, question, and reflect on the important concepts of genetics. Shortly before DNA Day 2008, researchers used a selection of these essays from previous years to see where students might be going wrong. Their results were published in the journal <a href="http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=2278104" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Genetics</a>.

Several themes emerged from the authors’ analysis. Most striking were the students’ lack of understanding of the limits to genetic engineering and their belief that single genes always determine traits and diseases.
The researchers attributed students’ misconceptions to “genohype” in media coverage of scientific discoveries, science curriculum standards that lack depth, and even the undergraduate biology education teachers receive.
Students often equated the identification of a disease-associated gene with “curing” a disease through gene replacement. A disturbing number of students thought genetic engineering could be used to “improve” and “design” their offspring, with the goal of having a “perfect” child.
Some students even suggested that genetic engineering would allow scientists to put a gene from one species into another in order to get a specific trait. For example:
“We could eliminate all the premature deaths of people dying around the world from thirst if we genetically modified people to inherit some of the characteristics of the camel, allowing them to go for months at a time without drinking water.”
The rules of the DNA Day Essay contest require teachers to submit the top three essays for each question from their students. The fact that so many essays were from students with serious misunderstandings suggested to the ASHG researchers that the teachers themselves may not be receiving very good undergraduate training in genetics, and that their unchallenged misconceptions are being passed on.
Like many before them, the authors of the ASHG study suggest that partnerships between scientists and educators will be valuable in improving genetics education. They propose shifting instruction from the simple Mendelian view of inheritance to a more nuanced perspective that takes into account multiple genetic and non-genetic contributions to traits and diseases, with a focus on concepts over content. But, they concede, this type of change is impeded by the need for districts and states to demonstrate content knowledge on standardized tests.
“Until significant research is performed by scientists and their educator colleagues that demonstrates which methods adequately teach both content and concepts, schools systems are unlikely to change their methods,” the authors write.
Some resources for genetics education:
<ul>
<li>23andMe&#8217;s own <a href="https://www.23andme.com/gen101/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Genetics 101</a></li>
<li><a href="http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">University of Utah Genetic Science Learning Center</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.dnalc.org/home.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dolan DNA Learning Center at Cold Spring Harbor</a></li>
</ul>

DNA Day