This week, 23andMe&#8217;s CEO and Co-Founder Anne Wojcicki was included on a list of the best CEOs based on employee reviews.

 <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-style-default"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="853" src="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/best-ceo-2021-large-1024x853.png" alt="" class="wp-image-29398" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/best-ceo-2021-large-1024x853.png 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/best-ceo-2021-large-300x250.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/best-ceo-2021-large-768x640.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/best-ceo-2021-large-880x733.png 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/best-ceo-2021-large-1180x983.png 1180w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/best-ceo-2021-large.png 1220w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
 
Released this week by <a href="https://www.comparably.com/awards/winners/best-ceo-2021-large">Comparably</a>, the list is of the top 25 CEOs among large companies, meaning companies of 500 or more employees. It was compiled through ratings from employees on Comparably.com over 12 months.
It&#8217;s not a bad way to finish out an exciting year. Along with steering 23andMe through its transition to a <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/news-23andme-on-nasdaq">publicly-traded company</a>, this year Anne guided our acquisition of the telemedicine and digital pharmacy company, <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/news/23andme-to-acquire-lemonaid-health/">Lemonaid Health</a>. She did that while cultivating a work culture that embraces innovation, inclusion, and diversity.
As one employee said, &#8220;Anne is a really cool and down-to-earth CEO.&#8221;

23andMe Blog

23andMe Blog Team

Best CEO

A team of researchers in Australia found more than 70 genetic variants associated with cutaneous melanoma, one of the most lethal forms of skin cancer.
<h6>Types of Skin Cancer</h6>
Only about two percent of skin cancers are melanoma, but this aggressive form of cancer is responsible for the vast majority of skin cancer deaths. The rate of melanoma has also <a href="https://ephtracking.cdc.gov/Applications/melanomadashboard/">increased over time</a>. While ultraviolet radiation from sun exposure and skin sensitivity is a key factor in the risk for melanoma, genetic factors also play a role. This study was an attempt to learn more about the genetic influence on the risk for melanoma.
<h6>New Method to Research Melanoma</h6>
For their study, published in the <a href="https://www.jidonline.org/article/S0022-202X(21)02513-6/fulltext#secsectitle0070">Journal of Investigative Dermatology</a>, the scientists from Australia’s QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, used a two-step process.
First, they looked at genetic associations for cutaneous melanoma. They did this by combining findings from previous genome wide association studies that used data from the UK Biobank, and Australia’s QSkin Sun and Health Study. The next step involved looking at traits associated with the condition. Among the traits they looked at are associated with melanoma were the number of moles a person has, and the propensity to get sunburn. 
By combining these two processes, they identified known genetic variant. But the researchers also identified variants that were not previously known to be associated with melanoma. The findings were then replicated using data from 23andMe and the Melanoma Institute Australia.
<h6>Connections with Autoimmune Diseases</h6>
Among the more than 70 genetic variants identified were 19 variants not previously known to be associated with melanoma. And within those were variants also associated with autoimmune diseases for conditions such as psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis. Some of the strongest associations were variants in the LPP  and the SH2B3 genes. Both of these genes play a role in regulating the body&#8217;s immune response.
According to the researchers, these findings may offer keys to potential future treatments. There are already promising treatments that target genes involved in regulating the immune response. These include tyrosine kinase inhibitors and immune checkpoint inhibitors, which is targets the CTLA-4 protein on T cells.
Read the full paper <a href="https://www.jidonline.org/article/S0022-202X(21)02513-6/fulltext#secsectitle0070">here</a>.

New Genetic Findings on Melanoma

Stephanie McKenna, 34, settled into her seat as her plane began its descent into Phoenix, Arizona. 
Thirty-six thousand feet below, Tom Chaney, a Marine Veteran and Stephanie’s newfound biological father, made his way to the arrivals terminal of the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport to greet her <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/23andme-customer-stories/a-father-and-daughter-meet-for-the-first-time/">for the first time</a>.
Father and daughter shared an instant bond. “We have so many similarities. It’s not even funny. It is ridiculous,” Tom said.
Their emotional meeting was months in the making. And it started with a Christmas gift. 
After expressing interest in learning more about her identity, Stephanie’s adoptive parents gave her a 23andMe kit for Christmas. That led Stephanie to her biological grandfather and, ultimately, to Tom. 
For many customers, the gift of 23andMe has been the gift of a lifetime. Some, like Stephanie, have discovered family members. Some have experienced a new sense of connection and belonging. Still others have learned valuable health information that has allowed them to make informed choices. Here are a few of their stories. 
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 <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-style-default"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Stephanie_Tom_1_lbcrop-1024x640.png" alt="" class="wp-image-29394" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Stephanie_Tom_1_lbcrop-1024x640.png 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Stephanie_Tom_1_lbcrop-300x188.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Stephanie_Tom_1_lbcrop-768x480.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Stephanie_Tom_1_lbcrop-880x550.png 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Stephanie_Tom_1_lbcrop-1180x738.png 1180w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Stephanie_Tom_1_lbcrop.png 1440w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
 
<h6>The Gift of Family </h6>
In September 1988, just four months after Melanie Pressley made the wrenching decision to put her infant son up for adoption, she received a letter from his adoptive parents that put her mind — and heart — at ease. 
“Dear Birth Mom of ‘Our’ Baby,” it began. “Please, if you ever wonder about him, know he is loved and we will strive as hard as possible to be good parents.”
“It made me feel like I had done the right thing,” Melanie said. 
As the years passed, Melanie got married, had three children, and put down roots in Ohio. But she never stopped wondering about the child she gave up, and she harbored hope that they would one day reconnect. 
A combined Mother’s Day and birthday gift of 23andMe helped to realize that dream. Melanie’s report showed a DNA match with someone who might be her son — 32-year-old Greg Vossler. She immediately reached out. The two began communicating regularly via email and text and they <a href="https://www.winchesterstar.com/winchester_star/mother-and-adopted-son-reunited-a-surreal-and-crazy-moment/article_edb8d3cb-b3fd-50c5-b2b8-417ea952c773.html">finally met in person</a> at Melanie’s home this year. 
&#8220;Melanie’s family coming into my life at this point has been a blessing,” Greg told Fox News. 
“It&#8217;s kind of re-ignited some passions and excitement.&#8221;
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 <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-style-default"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Melanie-and-Greg-first-hug-lb-crop-use-1024x640.png" alt="" class="wp-image-29392" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Melanie-and-Greg-first-hug-lb-crop-use-1024x640.png 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Melanie-and-Greg-first-hug-lb-crop-use-300x188.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Melanie-and-Greg-first-hug-lb-crop-use-768x480.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Melanie-and-Greg-first-hug-lb-crop-use-880x550.png 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Melanie-and-Greg-first-hug-lb-crop-use-1180x738.png 1180w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Melanie-and-Greg-first-hug-lb-crop-use.png 1440w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
 
<h6>The Gift of Connection</h6>
In many ways, Katie Ares, Leigh Ann Baglin, and Scott McCreary are typical siblings. They’re comfortable with each other and share an easy camaraderie. They talk frequently — trading details, stories, and updates about their lives.
But unlike most brothers and sisters, up until a few years ago, the siblings didn’t know each other existed. 
Now in their 30s, the three were all born in South Korea and adopted separately by families in the United States. It was by chance that they each used 23andMe. 
Katie received a 23andMe kit as a gift from her employer. 
“I didn’t have any expectations from it,” Katie said. “I just thought, ‘OK, this is neat. It’s interesting. I wonder if anything’s going to come of it.’: 
Something did come of it. Opting-in and using 23andMe’s DNA Relatives tool, Katie connected with her sister Leigh Ann and brother Scott for the first time.
Scott described the experience: “It’s just absolutely insane meeting these people that you’ve never known your whole life, but when you meet them, you fall right into place, just like you have been together your entire life.”
What’s next for the trio? Catching up on lost time. They spent a weekend in Phoenix and hope to plan more trips soon. Finally being together was “amazing and so fun,” Leigh Ann said. “It was a short but very sweet trip.” 
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 <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-style-default"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/siblings_lbcrop-1024x640.png" alt="" class="wp-image-29393" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/siblings_lbcrop-1024x640.png 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/siblings_lbcrop-300x188.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/siblings_lbcrop-768x480.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/siblings_lbcrop-880x550.png 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/siblings_lbcrop-1180x738.png 1180w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/siblings_lbcrop.png 1440w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
 
<h6></h6>
<h6>The Gift of Knowledge</h6>
On Christmas morning in 2018, Margaret Fox tore the wrapping paper off a present to discover a 23andMe Health + Ancestry kit. Her family had all chipped in to buy the kits for each other. 
“We thought it would be a fun thing to take,” explained Mollie Gelburd, Margaret’s sister. “We were never expecting it would end up leading to any sort of clinical change.”
Two months later, Margaret received an email from 23andMe letting her know her reports were ready. After opting in to receive her health information and going through educational modules about the reports, she opened her BRCA1/BRCA2 (Selected Variants) Genetic Health Risk Report.* It indicated she had one of the three variants for which 23andMe tests. Margaret, who was only 28 at the time, was stunned. She was aware of her family’s Ashkenazi Jewish heritage, and she had a great aunt who had battled breast and ovarian cancer, but she “never believed it was something to be overly concerned about.”
Females with one of the three variants 23andMe tests for — no matter their ancestry — have an increased risk of developing certain cancers including breast and ovarian. Armed with this knowledge, Margaret sprang into action. She set up an appointment with her general practitioner who referred her to a genetic counselor for follow-up testing. When her tests confirmed what she learned in 23andMe’s report, Margaret began receiving regular breast radiology checkups. This preventative monitoring continued for nearly 18 months until one day she felt a small, painful lump in her breast. She was eventually diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer. 
Margaret was immediately connected to an oncologist and a surgeon and began IVF treatments to preserve her fertility. 
Today she is partway through a 16-week course of chemotherapy and the prognosis, her sister said, looks good. 
Margaret acknowledged that her journey is not the “traditional 23andMe success story.” “But in a way, it is,” she said. “This is about survival. We caught this early.” 
Mollie agreed: “I often think about how grateful I am for 23andMe’s health test results, which notified us of her status and enabled her to engage in screenings she likely would not have pursued. As a result of this test, her doctors were able to catch her cancer before it spread beyond the breast. I can’t help but think that the health results from 23andMe may have saved my sister’s life.”
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 <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-style-default"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Margaret-and-family-lb-crop-1024x640.png" alt="" class="wp-image-29390" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Margaret-and-family-lb-crop-1024x640.png 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Margaret-and-family-lb-crop-300x188.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Margaret-and-family-lb-crop-768x480.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Margaret-and-family-lb-crop-880x550.png 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Margaret-and-family-lb-crop-1180x738.png 1180w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Margaret-and-family-lb-crop.png 1440w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
 
&nbsp;
This holiday season, give the most meaningful gift you can — <a href="https://www.23andme.com/compare-dna-tests/?bst=pff">23andMe</a>. 
<hr />
*23andMe health predisposition reports include both reports that meet FDA requirements for genetic health risks and reports which 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 of the 185delAG and 5382insC variants in the BRCA1 gene and the 6174delT variant in the BRCA2 gene. The report describes if a woman is at increased risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer, and if a man is at increased risk of developing breast cancer or may be at increased risk of developing prostate cancer. The three variants included in this report are most common in people of Ashkenazi Jewish descent and do not represent the majority of BRCA1/BRCA2 variants in the general population. 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 each genetic health risk report, visit<a href="https://www.23andme.com/test-info/"> 23andme.com/test-info/</a>.

The Gift of a Lifetime

On the cusp of turning 70 Linda learned that she wasn’t an only child after all, not only that but her newfound sister, Cheryl, was a former co-worker and good friend.
Linda and Cheryl’s story aired recently on the Today Show. If you didn’t get to see Anne Thompson’s report on the sisters take a moment and check it out here:
<iframe width="560" height="315" loading="lazy" src="https://www.today.com/today/embedded-video/mmvo128391749881" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
For Cheryl learning that her father, the man who raised her, wasn’t her biological father was a shock. But reconnecting with her old friend Linda and learning that they were in fact sister, has been a joy.
“It’s been a blessing really,” she said.
Not only have the two reconnected but they learned that for a couple of months each year they live just a mile apart making it that much easier to get reacquainted and build memories as sisters and friends.

Long Lost Friends Learn They’re Also Sisters

The number of people who are nearsighted, who need glasses to see distant objects clearly, has<a href="https://www.nei.nih.gov/about/news-and-events/news/myopia-close-look-efforts-turn-back-growing-problem"> risen dramatically</a> over the last 50 years.
Known as myopia, nearsightedness is quite common, and occurs when the shape of the eye is elongated or the cornea of the eye is angled in a way that prevents the eye from focusing light properly.  It’s estimated that about 45 percent of adults in the U.S. aged 20 and older are nearsighted. In many parts of East Asia, the rates are much higher than that.
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 <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-style-default"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="536" src="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Nearsightedness-Blog-1200x628-2-1024x536.png" alt="" class="wp-image-29397" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Nearsightedness-Blog-1200x628-2-1024x536.png 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Nearsightedness-Blog-1200x628-2-300x157.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Nearsightedness-Blog-1200x628-2-768x402.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Nearsightedness-Blog-1200x628-2-880x461.png 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Nearsightedness-Blog-1200x628-2-1180x618.png 1180w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Nearsightedness-Blog-1200x628-2.png 1200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
 

<h6>23andMe+</h6>
This week, we released a new 23andMe+ report (Powered by 23andMe Research) that looks at a person’s likelihood of being nearsighted and provides information about the condition as well as ways to protect your vision.
The new report uses machine learning techniques to estimate a person’s likelihood of being nearsighted. To make that estimate, we use a statistical model that includes more than 2,700 genetic variants, and also takes into account a person’s ethnicity and birth sex. Most cases of nearsightedness actually develop during childhood and then stabilize during adulthood.
Besides genetics, other factors like age, family history, and ethnicity all play a role in the likelihood of developing myopia. But research funded by the<a href="https://www.nei.nih.gov/about/news-and-events/news/myopia-close-look-efforts-turn-back-growing-problem"> NIH’s National Eye Institute</a> suggests that the rapid rise in cases is most likely related to lifestyle changes. More children spending more time indoors, for instance, or spending more hours doing “near work” like reading, or looking at computer screens or smartphones, may all contribute to the increase.
Nearsightedness develops as changes in eye shape move the focal point of our vision. Light from an object in our field of vision is focused first by the cornea and lens onto the retina, which is in the back of our eyeball and sends a signal to the brain. When the shape of the eye changes so the focal point is moved in front of the retina instead, distant objects appear blurry.
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<h6></h6>
<h6>Research</h6>
23andMe scientists have contributed to research looking into genetic associations for nearsightedness, including<a href="https://blog.23andme.com/23andme-research/nearsightedness/"> a 2020 study</a> that found that genes involved in circadian rhythm are also associated with nearsightedness.
Data from more than 100,000 23andMe customers who consented to participate in research were also used in<a href="https://blog.23andme.com/23andme-research/findings-on-nearsightedness/"> a massive 2018 study</a> that identified 8,000 genetic variants associated with nearsightedness. Other 23andMe research into the genetic basis for the condition go back<a href="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/ASHG2012MyopiaGWAS.jm_.pdf"> almost a decade</a>.
<h6>Taking Action</h6>
Although encouraging children to spend <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2441261">more time outdoors</a> has been one approach to try and stem the rise in nearsightedness, experts do not yet agree on what other lifestyle changes can help prevent or slow its progression.
However, they do agree that healthy lifestyle habits can lower the chances of developing other eye conditions. Among those habits are regular eye exams, wearing sunglasses to block UV light, and taking breaks from near-work or computer screen time to avoid eye strain. A healthy diet and exercise can also help by lowering the likelihood of developing conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes, which can damage one’s vision.
<h6>More</h6>
23andMe’s new Nearsightedness report (Powered by 23andMe Research) is available to all 23andMe+ members. To learn more about your report, go <a href="https://you.23andme.com/reports/prs.nearsightedness/">here</a>. 
Not yet a 23andMe+ member? Find out more <a href="https://www.23andme.com/membership">here</a>.
<hr />
*The 23andMe+ Nearsightedness report is based on 23andMe research and incorporates more than 2,700 genetic variants to provide information on the likelihood of being nearsighted. The report does not account for lifestyle or family history and has not been reviewed by the US Food and Drug Administration.

New 23andMe+ Report on Nearsightedness

Our commitment to transparency never ends, so we put together answers to several of the most commonly asked questions we receive about privacy at 23andMe.
You should read our <a href="https://www.23andme.com/about/privacy/">Privacy Statement</a> for details, but this is a good summary of some of the basics that you can review in just a few minutes. Feel free to <a href="http://privacy@23andme.com">contact us</a> with any of your privacy questions that we don’t cover below.
<h6>First up, since folks have asked: Now that 23andMe is a public company, does that change how my data is treated?</h6>
Too Long, Didn’t Read (TLDR): Becoming a publicly traded company does not change our privacy commitments to you.  We do not share your data with any investor!
I need more details:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Our Privacy Statement details our commitments to you about your data (or, as we refer to it in our Privacy Statement, your Personal Information). 23andMe customer Personal Information remains subject to the promises made in our Privacy Statement, which specifically addresses how 23andMe will handle Personal Information in the event of a merger or acquisition.</li>
<li aria-level="1">We won’t make important changes to our Privacy Statement or other legal documents without alerting you. If we have a material change to make, you’ll know about it before those changes become effective so you have an opportunity to make a choice about your continued use of our Services. You’ll hear from us through a banner or in-app notice, or email message for those types of changes.</li>
</ul>
<h6>Question 2: Do you sell my data when I sign up for 23andMe?</h6>
TLDR: Nope!
I need more details:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">With core values like transparency and choice, we are not in the business of selling your Personal Information for commercial purposes such as advertising or marketing.</li>
<li aria-level="1">When it comes to Research, we only use or share your data if we receive your explicit consent. Participation in our Research is opt-in and entirely voluntary. Learn more about our Research program <a href="https://www.23andme.com/research">here</a>.</li>
</ul>
<h6>Question 3: Do I need to participate in Research?</h6>
TLDR: Participation in our Research is opt-in and entirely voluntary. Whether or not a customer participates in 23andMe Research, the consumer experience is the same.
I need more details:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">The purpose of 23andMe Research is to make new discoveries about genetics and other factors behind diseases and traits &#8211; about people in general, not about you specifically.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Customers choose whether to participate in Research after they read a separate research consent. This means we do not bundle our Research consent into the Terms of Service or any other consent. Only customers that participate in our Research program are included in any analysis completed by our scientists for research studies or collaborations. Customers can change their Research consent preference at any time in their Account Settings. Don’t believe how simple it is? Give it a try!</li>
<li aria-level="1">If it’s so simple, there must be a catch, right? Nope! Choosing not to participate in Research does not impact your 23andMe experience. If you choose not to opt-in to participate in Research, or if you later opt-out of participating, you will still be able to access all of the same reports and product features as customers who are participating in our Research program.</li>
</ul>
<h6>Question 3 (continued): If I participate in Research, what types of data do you share?</h6>
TLDR: In our 23andMe Research program, we may share summaries of research results, which do not identify any particular individuals, with third-party research collaborators, such as academic institutions and pharmaceutical companies, but we won’t share information about you without your separate, explicit consent.
I need more details:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">When we conduct Research in collaboration with a third party, we run a series of analyses on de-identified data in-house. Then, we send summary information and supporting data (i.e., information about specific genetic variants of significance) to collaborators. Data is summarized so individual-level data is not identified. We also include terms in our contracts with research collaborators to protect customer data, such as prohibiting any attempts to re-identify individuals.</li>
<li aria-level="1">An example of a summary of research results is &#8220;20% of men between the ages of 30 and 35 report having some form of cancer and XX genetic variants in common.”</li>
<li aria-level="1">We do not share any of your Registration Information (e.g., name, contact information, etc.), nor is your Registration Information available to 23andMe researchers running those analyses with any collaborator without your separate, explicit consent. We may recruit for studies in specific disease areas, such as <a href="https://www.23andme.com/lupus/">lupus</a>, and <a href="https://www.23andme.com/depression-bipolar/">depression</a>. For those studies we ask participants to sign a separate consent authorizing the sharing of their Registration Information with the named third party collaborator.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Hey, what about the individual-level data sharing research consent? Glad you asked — we enable customers to share more detailed information about themselves with our collaborators which may further accelerate research if they choose. But this is an additional, separate and explicit choice that the Research participant makes. Unless you choose to participate in individual-level data sharing, your individual-level, de-identified Genetic Information and Self-Reported Information is not shared with collaborators. To be clear, even if you consent to individual-level data sharing, we still do not share any of your Registration Information with collaborators.</li>
<li aria-level="1">If you ever want a refresh or to learn more, links to our <a href="https://www.23andme.com/about/privacy/">Privacy Statement</a> and <a href="https://www.23andme.com/about/consent/">Research Consent Document</a> can be easily found in the website footer or in the Settings menu of our mobile app.</li>
</ul>
<h6>Question 4: How can Research participants learn about how their data is used?</h6>
TLDR: Take a look at the docs linked in that last bullet above, and you will find the details about our Research data use practices. In the spirit of transparency, we have announced many of our collaborations with pharmaceutical companies to make customers aware of how their data may be used for research. And, if you are a genetics geek like us, you might want to check out our publications on studies conducted with academic institutions. Or, better yet, if you have chosen to participate in our Research program, check out which published studies <a href="https://you.23andme.com/research/publications/">your data has been used in</a> right in your <a href="https://you.23andme.com/user/">Account Settings</a>!
I need more details:
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-29345 size-full" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Research-Contributions-list.png" alt="An image showing how 23andMe shows customers who have consented to participate in research the list of studies that their data was used in." width="512" height="442" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Research-Contributions-list.png 512w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Research-Contributions-list-300x259.png 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px" />
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Before we launched our Research program over a decade ago, we worked with the Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications (ELSI) program, founded in 1990 as part of the Human Genome Project. The ELSI program was created to identify and address issues that genomics research could trigger with regard to impacting people, families, and society. We engaged with this community early on to incorporate strong ethical standards into our program.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Following our discussions with ELSI, we approached a third party institutional review board (“IRB”) and worked together to create an entirely new model of research based on an online experience. The job of the IRB is to review and monitor our Research to make sure that the people taking part in Research are fully informed about the risks and benefits of participating. Our model ensures we have third party oversight of our Research program, including clear, informed consent.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Further, our Research program is built on the ethical principles laid out in the <a href="https://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/humansubjects/guidance/belmont.html">Belmont Report</a>, which describes guidelines for treating people right in research.</li>
<li aria-level="1">And we’ve taken it a step further by ensuring 23andMe’s Research actually adheres to a much stricter federal standard called the <a href="https://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/humansubjects/commonrule/index.html">Common Rule</a>. Although the Common Rule technically only applies to federally-funded research, 23andMe voluntarily applies it to its Research program.</li>
<li aria-level="1">We walk-the-talk, too. Every one of our researchers undergoes training on protecting human subjects and responsible conduct of research. We have multiple teams dedicated to making sure all of our work follows applicable federal regulations related to human subjects research and the instructions of our IRB.</li>
<li aria-level="1">We work to bring visibility to our Research activities by providing Research participants with information about published studies they have contributed to. Check out the link above!</li>
<li aria-level="1">As already mentioned, you can change your mind about Research participation anytime, no questions asked. We can’t go back and remove your data from research or studies that have already been conducted, however, you can rest assured that your data will not be used in any new Research initiatives that start more than 30 days after your consent change (it may take up to 30 days to withdraw your data after you withdraw your consent).</li>
</ul>
<h6>Question 5: Why do you collaborate with pharma companies?</h6>
TLDR: We continue to be committed to our mission to help people access, understand and benefit from the human genome. We believe that working with others, including pharma companies, can help accelerate our ability to more quickly develop treatments and cures. We work with academic institutions for the same reason, too!
I need more details:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">We believe transparency is critical. Our Research consent describes our collaborations with various third parties, including pharmaceutical companies, so customers can make an informed choice.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Drug development is a long and expensive process. Through our collaborations with industry, nonprofits and research institutions, we hope to bring more successful treatments and cures to people faster. <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosgenetics/article?id=10.1371/journal.pgen.1008489">Studies</a> have shown treatments validated with genetic data are at least twice as likely to succeed. We want to change the drug development process and make it more efficient. Ultimately, we are committed to discovering and developing novel therapies to improve patient lives through the study of human genetics.</li>
<li aria-level="1">We also want people to feel like they are part of the process and we strive to treat them like partners rather than research subjects. We empower our customers to choose whether they want to play a role in collectively sharing their Personal Information to fuel scientific discoveries. Approximately eighty percent of 23andMe&#8217;s customers consent to participate in Research.</li>
<li aria-level="1">When we’ve entered into major collaborations with academic institutions or pharmaceutical companies in the past, we’ve informed our customers through email, blog posts or press outreach. For example, when we entered into a collaboration with GSK, we used all three approaches, including emailing customers, posting details of the project on our blog, and engaging with journalists on stories about the effort.</li>
</ul>
<h6>Question 6: Is my data secure?</h6>
TLDR: 23andMe is ISO 27001 certified, and we also hold other certifications to confirm our commitment to your security and privacy. But, security is a two-way street and we try to make it easy to be secure with 23andMe. In addition to the security measures we’ve undertaken, we provide customers with security tools to protect their accounts, such as two-step verification.
I need details:
<ul>
<li style="list-style-type: none;">
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Our information security management system, which protects 23andMe data, has been <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/23andme-and-you/data-privacy-certifications/">certified under ISO 27001, ISO 27701, and ISO 27018</a>! An ISO certification is awarded after extensive audits by an independent third party. 23andMe is the first direct-to-consumer genetic testing company to be assessed against all three standards.</li>
<li aria-level="1">We have security measures in place for authentication, encryption (at rest and in transit), least privilege access, and authorization to our systems and proprietary technologies to support customer security. 23andMe access combines token-based, multi-factor authentication and strict least-privileged authorization controls.</li>
<li aria-level="1">We store your data in segregated databases. For example, your Registration Information (such as name and email) and Genetic Information are stored separately in secured, segmented databases, which reduces the risk of, and incentive to, commit a breach.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li aria-level="1">Your own security precautions are critical. For example, you should not share your password with others or use previously compromised passwords. If you do, we are not responsible for those actions.</li>
</ul>
<h6>Question 7: Have you ever detected any breach?</h6>
TLDR: No, we have not detected any breaches of Personal Information to date. I need details: See the TLDR — we don’t have additional details because it is just that simple.
<h6>Question 8: I’ve read that 23andMe is not regulated. Is that true?</h6>
TLDR: 23andMe, and our Health + Ancestry Service, is certainly regulated.
I need details:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">For starters, our carrier status, genetic health risk and pharmacogenetic reports are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) and have been reviewed and authorized or cleared by the FDA.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Far from being “unregulated”, 23andMe’s health reports have been reviewed and cleared by the FDA six times at the time of this blog publication. <a href="https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfpmn/denovo.cfm?ID=DEN140044">23andMe’s six authorizations and clearances</a> for the reports below:
<ul>
<li aria-level="2">Carrier screening (de novo)</li>
<li aria-level="2">Genetic Health Risk reports (de novo)</li>
<li aria-level="2">BRCA 1/2 (Selected Variants) cancer predisposition (de novo)</li>
<li aria-level="2">MUTYH-Associated Polyposis cancer predisposition (510k)</li>
<li aria-level="2">Pharmacogenetic reports (de novo)</li>
<li aria-level="2">Pharmacogenetic reports (510k)</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li aria-level="1">23andMe is the first direct-to-consumer genetic testing company to meet FDA requirements for its health reports. Our FDA authorized reports meet a greater than 99% accuracy standard when compared to Sanger sequencing. In addition, in connection with meeting FDA requirements, 23andMe <a href="https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cdrh_docs/reviews/den160026.pdf">demonstrated</a> that US consumers, regardless of education, age, gender or ethnicity can comprehend their 23andMe results, enabling them to be used safely without a doctor’s prescription.</li>
<li aria-level="1">As an FDA manufacturer, 23andMe also meets the <a href="https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/digital-health-center-excellence/cybersecurity">Federal FDA Cybersecurity requirements</a>.</li>
<li aria-level="1">23andMe is inspected intermittently by the FDA. These inspections have found no deficiencies of its adherence to Federal quality standards.</li>
</ul>
<h6>Question 9: Does 23andMe share my data with China?</h6>
TLDR: Nope!
I need details:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">23andMe’s contract laboratories are located in the United States. As part of our FDA submissions, we identify all of our key suppliers, none of which are based or located in China.</li>
<li aria-level="1">We do not do business in China or use any Chinese-based laboratories for our genetic testing service. We do not store data in China.</li>
</ul>
<h6>Question 10: Do you cooperate with law enforcement agencies looking to solve cold cases?</h6>
TLDR: No, 23andMe will exercise any available legal measures to object to a law enforcement request. As of the date of this publication, we have not released any individual user data to law enforcement. Take a look at our track record in our <a href="https://www.23andme.com/transparency-report/">Transparency Report.</a>
I need details:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Respect for customer privacy and transparency are core principles that guide 23andMe&#8217;s approach to responding to legal requests and maintaining customer trust. In 2015, 23andMe was the first consumer genetics company to publish a <a href="https://www.23andme.com/transparency-report/">Transparency Report</a>, which details the government requests for data we receive and how we have responded. This report is updated quarterly. As of the date of this publication, we have not released any individual user data to law enforcement and we want to keep it that way.</li>
<li aria-level="1">We closely scrutinize all law enforcement and regulatory requests and we will only comply with court orders, subpoenas, search warrants or other requests that we determine are legally valid and legally require our response after exhausting other options.</li>
<li aria-level="1">If, despite our resistance, we are required by law to comply with a valid court order, subpoena, or search warrant for a customer’s Genetic Information or Personal Information, we will try to notify you through the contact information you provided us before we disclose this information to law enforcement, unless doing so would violate the law or a court order. This provides you with a chance to move to quash the subpoena before we are required to answer it.</li>
</ul>

An image of a lock a computer, DNA and a mobile phone representing security protections.

The 23andMe privacy team answers 10 common questions

Whether you plan to gather again virtually or celebrate Thanksgiving in person this year, the holiday offers a chance to bond with family and take action regarding your health.



And it&#8217;s all as simple as <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/four-tips-for-talking-to-relatives-about-medical-history">asking a few questions of those you love</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-family-health-history-day">Family Health History Day</h2>



The third Thursday in November marks Thanksgiving in the United States, but it&#8217;s also <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/genomics/famhistory/knowing_not_enough.htm">National Family Health History Day</a>, a time to assess the conditions that run in your family.



Knowing your family&#8217;s health history may be invaluable for you and your family. The history you share with your family includes stories that connect you to your past and information that you can use now and in the future.



Many of us don&#8217;t know what health issues our grandparents or great aunts and uncles dealt with in their lives, but understanding that may help you and future generations. Preventing illness is often about knowing your risks, including risks for conditions like diabetes, heart disease, or cancer. A family health history is often a cornerstone of one&#8217;s medical record, offering you and your healthcare provider information you can use.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-make-a-record">Make a Record</h2>



A family health history records your biological relatives&#8217; diseases and health conditions over generations. Along with a shared history, you also share DNA with your biological relatives, and that shared genetics influences your health. Knowing that shared history raises awareness of what to look out for in the future. In addition, it gives you and your healthcare provider another layer of information to help keep you well.



Several tools can also help you track this information. The Centers for Disease Control offers a tool called the <a href="https://cbiit.github.io/FHH/html/index.html">Family Health Portrait</a> to help you document and then save this information. For instance, 23andMe&#8217;s Family Health History Tree for Health + Ancestry Service customers also record and preserve that history.



Much like any family tree, this one visually represents how you connect to different relatives. But this tree adds the ability to include medical conditions, offering you a visual record of current and past health issues for you and your close relatives. 23andMe&#8217;s Family Health History Tree lets you record information you and your healthcare provider can use to help you manage your health.



Check it out <a href="https://you.23andme.com/family/tree/#health">here</a>. Not yet a customer? Find out more <a href="https://www.23andme.com/dna-health-ancestry?fhht=v1">here</a>.

For Your Future Ask About Your Past And Document Your Family Health History

The opioid crisis presents a public health emergency without clear solutions. One key to unraveling the problem is understanding not just the causes of addiction, but understanding the steps taken leading people toward addiction.
A new genetic study by a team of scientists at UC San Diego School of Medicine proposed a cost-effective approach for studying the genetic basis of opioid addiction — termed “opioid use disorder” in the study — in large population-based cohorts instead of clinical cohorts.
Published in the journal<a href="https://t.umblr.com/redirect?z=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nature.com%2Farticles%2Fs41380-021-01335-3&amp;t=OTRiN2RkZjZkNzY4MmI1NTliNDE0N2JmZDRiOTUxOTE0YTNhNTZhYSwwUFJVaEliQw%3D%3D&amp;b=t%3AP0Uz1DUMutRMdlhoe0mDtg&amp;p=https%3A%2F%2Fucsdhealthsciences.tumblr.com%2Fpost%2F666758608951934976%2Fgenetic-signals-linked-to-problematic-opioid-use&amp;m=0&amp;ts=1635872583"> Molecular Psychiatry</a>, the study was led by Sandra Sanchez Roige, Ph.D., and Abraham Palmer, Ph.D.
Using data from more than 132,000 23andMe customers who consented to participate in research, the study is important because it focused on the opioid misuse that can lead to opioid use disorder. In past decades opioid addiction started with heroin, but in this new era more than 80 percent of opioid addiction begins with the use of a prescription pain reliever, according to the study.
So, for this study, the researchers performed a genome-wide association study looking simply at participants reporting that&nbsp; they had ‘ever taken prescription painkillers not as prescribed.’ Essentially the researchers identified those in the first step toward from use to misuse of opioids, as a way to study the genetic underpinnings of the condition.
“Our results show that this single question captured a genetic signal that is correlated with signals from well-characterized cohorts that have been clinically diagnosed with (opioid use disorder.)”
The UC San Diego team discovered novel genomic regions that influenced using opiate drugs not as prescribed. They also identified strong genetic correlations with other substance use traits, including opioid use disorder.
Read the full study in<a href="https://t.umblr.com/redirect?z=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nature.com%2Farticles%2Fs41380-021-01335-3&amp;t=OTRiN2RkZjZkNzY4MmI1NTliNDE0N2JmZDRiOTUxOTE0YTNhNTZhYSwwUFJVaEliQw%3D%3D&amp;b=t%3AP0Uz1DUMutRMdlhoe0mDtg&amp;p=https%3A%2F%2Fucsdhealthsciences.tumblr.com%2Fpost%2F666758608951934976%2Fgenetic-signals-linked-to-problematic-opioid-use&amp;m=0&amp;ts=1635872583"> Molecular Psychiatry</a>.

Understanding Opioid Use Disorder

A large new study by a team of international researchers has identified shared genetic associations between irritable bowel syndrome and mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression.
The study, published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41588-021-00950-8">Nature</a>, used data from more than 50,000 people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and found that its symptoms may be caused by the same biological processes that trigger anxiety, depression, and insomnia.
<h6>Shared Genetic Origin</h6>
While the <a href="https://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/large-scale-genetic-study-reveals-new-clues-for-the-shared-origins-of-irritable-bowel-syndrome-and">study</a> highlights the interconnections between the brain and digestive health, the researchers said that the findings don’t mean that anxiety or mood disorders cause IBS, or that IBS causes <a href="http://35.88.189.111/articles/new-23andme-report-on-anxiety">anxiety</a> and mood disorders. Rather, that certain genes are involved in the progression of both conditions.
“Although IBS occurs more frequently in those who are prone to anxiety, we don’t believe that one causes the other,” said<a href="http://www.med.cam.ac.uk/parkes/"> Professor Miles Parkes</a> of the University of Cambridge, who was a co-senior investigator and consulting gastroenterologist on this research. “Our study shows these conditions have shared genetic origins, with the affected genes possibly leading to physical changes in brain or nerve cells that in turn cause symptoms in the brain and symptoms in the gut.”
Past studies have shown that anxiety and depression often go hand-in-hand with IBS, but this study showed that these associations are because of actual shared genetic processes and not because someone may become depressed or anxious because of having IBS.
<h6>Common Conditions</h6>
IBS and anxiety are both quite common. In the U.S. estimates are that about<a href="https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/any-anxiety-disorder"> 20 percent of adults</a> experience an anxiety disorder, meaning their anxiety has caused mild to severe impairment of their day-to-day lives. It is estimated that<a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41575-020-0286-8?proof=t#:~:text=Introduction-,Irritable%20bowel%20syndrome%20(IBS)%20is%20one%20of%20the%20most%20common,in%2010%20people%20globally1."> worldwide about one in 10 people</a> are affected by IBS. Symptoms of IBS include abdominal pain, bloating or bowel dysfunction significant enough to interfere with day-to-day activity. The causes of IBS are not well understood. But it tends to run in families and is more common in people who are prone to anxiety and other mood disorders.
For this study, the team of researchers from 40 different institutions identified different loci in six genes associated with IBS. Loci in four of those genes were also associated with mood and anxiety disorders. The researchers first used data from both the UK Biobank and the<a href="http://www.bionut.ki.se/groups/mda/bellygenes/index.html"> Bellygenes Initiative</a> — a worldwide study looking at genetic links to IBS. All the data came primarily from people of European ancestry, and the researchers used data from another 400,000 individuals who do not have IBS as a control group. The team then replicated their findings using de-identified data from 23andMe customers who consented to participate in research, which included more than 200,000 individuals with IBS and another 1.3 million who do not have the condition. The study also found a strong genome-wide correlation between the risk of IBS, and the risk for anxiety, neuroticism, and depression. Although IBS symptoms affect the gut and bowels, the genes associated with increased risk for IBS are not expressed there. Instead, they appear to have a clearer role in the brain, and possibly the network of nerves that serve the gut.
One of the paper’s lead authors,<a href="https://www.bdi.ox.ac.uk/Team/chris-eijsbouts"> Chris Eijsbouts</a>, of the University of Oxford, said the new research could aid in the development of new treatments in the future for these conditions.
&#8220;Even genetic changes that have only subtle effects on IBS can provide clues about pathways to target therapeutically,” Eiisbouts said. “Unlike the individual genetic changes themselves, drugs targeting the pathways they tell us about may have a considerable impact on the condition, as we know from other disease areas.&#8221;
Find the study in Nature <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41588-021-00950-8">here</a>.

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