We often hear about the &#8220;nature versus nurture&#8221; debate, framing it as a battle between our genes and our environment. But in many cases it&#8217;s not a battle at all, it&#8217;s a partnership. The way our genes impact our health and traits may change depending on our environment.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="684" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/GettyImages-981323210-1024x684.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-30209" srcset="https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/GettyImages-981323210-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/GettyImages-981323210-300x200.jpg 300w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/GettyImages-981323210-768x513.jpg 768w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/GettyImages-981323210-880x587.jpg 880w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/GettyImages-981323210-1180x788.jpg 1180w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Understanding both &#8220;nature&#8221; and &#8220;nurture&#8221; is especially important when we consider complex skills critical to success in life, like reading. Thanks to the contribution of over a million 23andMe® research participants, a <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40991152/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">new study</a>, led by scientists from the University of Edinburgh, is helping to untangle how both genes and environment work to shape literacy.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-reading-puzzle-nbsp">The Reading Puzzle&nbsp;</h2>



Literacy is a powerful predictor of life outcomes, from education level to income. For decades, researchers have tried to understand the roles genetics and environment play in why some people learn to read and spell more easily than others.



<figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="425" height="282" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/twins.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-392" style="width:309px;height:auto" srcset="https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/twins.jpg 425w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/twins-300x199.jpg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 425px) 100vw, 425px" /></figure>



Several <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23725549/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">studies</a> of <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19076484/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">twins</a> in the United States suggested an interaction between genes and environment. In these studies, how much influence genetics had on reading skills seemed to be higher in families with a higher socioeconomic status. In other words, genetics appeared to have a bigger impact on a child&#8217;s reading ability when they were in a more advantaged environment. This idea is called a gene-by-environment interaction.



However, the evidence of this gene-by-environment interaction was mixed in studies conducted in the <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19296213/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">United Kingdom</a> and <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28832969/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Australia</a>. This puzzle led researchers to ask: can we use modern genetic data to test this theory in large, diverse populations?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-new-approach">A New Approach</h2>



Researchers utilized summary statistics from a 2022 <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/study-identifies-genetic-links-to-dyslexia" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">genome-wide association study (GWAS) on dyslexia</a> to construct a polygenic score—a way of estimating someone’s genetic tendency toward a trait by adding up the small effects of thousands of DNA differences.



The team then applied this polygenic score to two large groups of children and adolescents in Australia and the United Kingdom to see if the score&#8217;s effect on reading and spelling skills was moderated by their family&#8217;s socioeconomic status. Socioeconomic status was used as a broad measure of environmental advantage, capturing factors like parental education level and household income.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-was-discovered-two-parallel-paths">What Was Discovered: Two Parallel Paths</h2>



Both the dyslexia polygenic score (nature) and socioeconomic status (nurture) were significant predictors of reading and spelling performance. Together, demographic, genetic, and socioeconomic factors explained between 8% and 11.6% of the variation in reading skills.



However, the study found no interaction effect. Nature and nurture were both important, but they worked in parallel.



This means the influence of a person&#8217;s genetic predisposition was the same, regardless of their family&#8217;s socioeconomic background. In these groups, a higher genetic predisposition for reading provided a similar boost to children from all socioeconomic backgrounds.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-bigger-picture">The Bigger Picture</h2>



This finding is an important reminder to scientists to consider different environments when looking for gene-by-environment interactions. While some earlier US-based studies suggested an interaction, the different environments in these large UK and Australian groups showed a different outcome. Suggesting that both our genes and our environment make their own distinct contributions to the development of this fundamental skill.



Of course, every study has its limitations. The 23andMe research participants who contributed to the original GWAS are a self-selecting group and may not be perfectly representative of the general population. Additionally, only about 5% of 23andMe research participants said they had dyslexia, which is on the lower end of the <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18652545/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">commonly cited 5–10% range</a>.



Even so, this large-scale study provides a crucial piece of the puzzle, emphasizing how vital it is to test scientific findings in diverse environments to get the full story.

Nature and Nurture: A New Look at the Genetics of Reading Ability

This week the American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG) is having its <a href="https://meetings.ashg.org/event/ASHG25/home/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">annual meeting</a> in Boston. Attending the ASHG annual meeting is about more than just presenting our work, it&#8217;s one way we are working to ensure that the 23andMe® Research Institute contributes to a healthier future for everyone.



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Amplifying impact: Sharing our discoveries with a global audience helps our work reach those who can build upon it, accelerating the path from discovery to clinic.</li>



<li>Fostering collaboration: It&#8217;s where we connect with the brightest minds in the field. These conversations spark new ideas and forge partnerships that are essential for tackling complex diseases.</li>



<li>Staying on the cutting edge: Exposure to the latest technologies and unpublished data keeps our research relevant and innovative.</li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-23andme-research-institute-at-ashg">23andMe Research Institute at ASHG</h2>



For those attending, stop by our posters in the following sessions:



<div class="wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex">
<div class="wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow" style="flex-basis:66.66%">
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15TH 2:30 &#8211; 4:30 PM (Posters; Board #2004W) Sustaining Research Ethics in Times of Change: A Framework from the 23andMe Research Program



presented by Emily DelloRusso, Principal Regulatory Science Manager
</div>



<div class="wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow" style="flex-basis:33.33%">
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="683" height="1024" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/image-683x1024.png" alt="" class="wp-image-34327" style="width:150px" srcset="https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/image-683x1024.png 683w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/image-200x300.png 200w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/image-768x1152.png 768w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/image-587x880.png 587w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/image-787x1180.png 787w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/image.png 1067w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px" /></figure>
</div>
</div>



<div class="wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex">
<div class="wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow" style="flex-basis:66.66%">
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16TH 2:30 &#8211; 4:30 PM (Posters; Board #2035T) Explore23: a privacy-forward, secure, extensible, and easy-to-use web application for exploration of a large genomic research cohort



presented by Julie Granka, Director, Statistical Genetics
</div>



<div class="wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow" style="flex-basis:33.33%">
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="819" height="1024" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/image-1-819x1024.png" alt="" class="wp-image-34328" style="width:150px" srcset="https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/image-1-819x1024.png 819w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/image-1-240x300.png 240w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/image-1-768x960.png 768w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/image-1-704x880.png 704w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/image-1-944x1180.png 944w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/image-1.png 1280w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px" /></figure>
</div>
</div>



<div class="wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex">
<div class="wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow" style="flex-basis:66.66%">
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17TH 2:30 &#8211; 4:30 PM (Posters; Board #3014F) Learning about a genetic predisposition to depression is psychologically well tolerated among those with high polygenic risk scores



presented by Rebecca Berns, Sr. Product Scientist I, Genomic Health and Sciences
</div>



<div class="wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow" style="flex-basis:33.33%">
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="682" height="1024" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/image-2-682x1024.png" alt="" class="wp-image-34329" style="width:150px" srcset="https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/image-2-682x1024.png 682w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/image-2-200x300.png 200w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/image-2-768x1153.png 768w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/image-2-586x880.png 586w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/image-2-786x1180.png 786w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/image-2.png 1066w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 682px) 100vw, 682px" /></figure>
</div>
</div>



Interested in reading more? 23andMe has contributed to <a href="https://research.23andme.com/publications/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">more than 300 research publications</a>.

23andMe Research Institute Attending ASHG 2025

Cannabis is already one of the most widely used drugs globally, and its use will likely grow even more as it becomes more socially accepted and legally available. For many the recreational use of cannabis poses few problems, but for as many as a third of users, it becomes problematic developing into an addiction or what scientists call cannabis use disorder. Research suggests that genetics may explain why.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-searching-the-genome-for-clues">Searching the Genome for Clues</h2>



In collaboration with 23andMe Research Institute, researchers at the University of California, San Diego <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41380-025-03219-2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">published a study</a> today that found genetic links to cannabis use as well as links to psychiatric, cognitive, and physical health. The researchers used data from more than 130,000 people who consented to participate in 23andMe research. Participants answered survey questions on whether they had ever used cannabis (“lifetime use”) and, for those who had, how often they used it during their heaviest 30-day period (“frequency of use”). The team then conducted genome-wide association studies searching for genetic variants linked to ever trying cannabis and how often people used the drug.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-the-data-revealed">What the Data Revealed</h2>



Researchers found that having ever used cannabis was associated with two genetic regions: CADM2—a gene <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/scientists-identify-genes-associated-with-cannabis-use" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">previously linked</a> to cannabis and other substance use, impulsivity, and risk-taking—and GRM3. While GRM3 has been tied to alcohol use, schizophrenia, and certain personality traits, this is the first time it’s been linked to cannabis use. How often someone used cannabis was associated with a different variant also near CADM2, strengthening this gene’s role in cannabis behaviors. Both having ever used cannabis and how frequently someone used cannabis were genetically linked to other substance use, pain, and psychiatric conditions like depression. Researchers also created polygenic scores—which tally the effects of many different genetic variants—to estimate both the likelihood of ever having used cannabis and the frequency of cannabis use. These polygenic scores were able to replicate associations between cannabis use and substance use and mood disorders in two other independent research datasets (All of Us and BioVU). The researchers also uncovered novel associations with anxiety, celiac disease, HIV, and viral hepatitis.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-this-research-matters">Why This Research Matters</h2>



Most genetic research on cannabis has focused on two points in the spectrum: first use and cannabis use disorder. But the stages in between—like how often someone uses cannabis—are just as important. Studying these “pre-addiction” traits may help determine who is more likely to progress from a casual user to someone with cannabis use disorder. This study was one of the first genome wide association studies to look at traits that may lead to cannabis use disorder.&nbsp;



Traits like frequency of cannabis use can reveal genetic factors that shape vulnerability before addiction develops. Understanding these factors could eventually help predict risk for cannabis use disorder and related health conditions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-than-just-dna">More Than Just DNA</h2>



Like all research there are some important considerations to keep in mind for this study:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>While this research focused on genetics, many non-genetic factors may also play a significant role in a person&#8217;s likelihood of using cannabis or developing cannabis use disorder.</li>



<li>The study was conducted in people of European descent (based on an analysis of their local genetic ancestry), so the findings may not fully apply to people of other ancestries.</li>



<li>The measure of frequency (use days in a 30-day window) of using cannabis doesn’t capture full patterns such as the duration of regular use or quantity consumed.</li>



<li>While GRM3 is a promising lead, more work is needed to understand how the genetic variant in this region affects cannabis use biology.</li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-road-ahead">The Road Ahead</h2>



Future research will need to expand to larger and more diverse cohorts and include other cannabis-related traits such as craving, withdrawal, and response to cannabis. Combining genetic insights from multiple stages of cannabis use could:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Improve the discovery of new genetic variants</li>



<li>Help build predictive models for problematic use</li>



<li>Clarify how cannabis genetics intersect with physical and mental health</li>
</ul>



Takeaway: Studying genetic influences on early cannabis use behaviors could eventually help predict risk for cannabis use disorder and related health conditions, and may help shed light on who is most at risk for cannabis use disorder.&nbsp; These findings mark an important step toward understanding the genetics of cannabis use and its health consequences.

New Genetic Insights Into Cannabis Use

<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-new-study-may-help-identify-and-more-quickly-help-the-60-of-people-with-major-depression-who-do-not-get-relief-from-their-initial-treatments">A new study may help identify and more quickly help the 60% of people with major depression who do not get relief from their initial treatments. </h6>



It is estimated that 60% of patients with major depressive disorder don&#8217;t find relief from their first medication, and as many as one-third develop <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10503923/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">treatment-resistant depression</a>, which is often defined as still experiencing symptoms after trying at least two antidepressants.



Researchers at Johnson &amp; Johnson and the 23andMe Research Institute used advanced machine learning techniques to accurately identify those at most risk for treatment-resistant depression, a massive breakthrough for those suffering with this condition.



The groundbreaking research, published this week in the journal <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41028019/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scientific Reports</a>, used only self-reported information from about 23,000 people who consented to participate in 23andMe research. The model included a total of 101 predictive factors, including such things as age, symptoms that persist between episodes of depression, the duration of episodes of depression, stress levels, and suicidal thoughts. 



Using this predictive model, researchers were able to accurately predict those at the highest risk for treatment-resistant depression 78% of the time, according to the study.&nbsp;



The predictive model did not use either genetics or lab results, just questions that can be easily assessed by a clinician.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Why This Matters</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="508" height="531" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/drug-bottle.png" alt="" class="wp-image-34304" style="width:161px;height:auto" srcset="https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/drug-bottle.png 508w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/drug-bottle-287x300.png 287w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 508px) 100vw, 508px" /></figure>



Typically, antidepressants used to treat major depression take a little time to work, up to a month or a month and a half. When a treatment does not work, clinicians often prescribe an alternative medication. When someone with depression fails to respond to at least two different medications, they are deemed to have treatment-resistant depression. In many cases, it can take around a year for someone to finally be diagnosed with treatment-resistant depression.



That long delay in finding effective treatment has a cost, not just in the time it takes to identify treatment but in the prolonged suffering for those in the throes of depression, unable to get relief.&nbsp;



The promise of the kind of predictive modeling described in this new study is that it would give both people with depression and clinicians who treat them a tool to flag those who might not respond to standard therapies.



Instead of waiting to see if initial treatments are effective, it may accelerate the process of finding alternatives. Additionally, this predictive model only utilizes patient-reported information; no expensive testing is required.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">More About the Predictive Model</h2>



The model identified eight primary factors that predict treatment resistance, as reported by research participants. Each offers different dimensions of their depression.



<figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="275" height="252" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/depression.png" alt="" class="wp-image-34307" style="width:184px;height:auto"/></figure>



Participants reported on the different symptoms that persisted between the episodes of depression. They reported on how long each episode of depression lasted, and how many years they&#8217;d experienced these periodic episodes. Also included in the self-reported data were levels of stress, or whether they had recurring post-traumatic stress, and two critical factors that looked at more external stressors and life events. Also factored into the modeling was a participant&#8217;s age and whether they had suicidal thoughts. Finally, the model included the self-reported timing between episodes of depression, which was significant when the time between episodes was shorter.



Using these factors and advanced machine learning the researchers were able to accurately distinguish between those who were treatment-resistant and those who responded to treatment. An accurate way to identify if someone will or will not respond to treatment could translate into meaningful clinical benefits. It could mean the difference between waiting months for effective treatment instead of years.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">More Personalized Depression Care</h2>



This research represents a crucial step toward more personalized mental health treatment and a move away from a &#8220;one-size-fits-all&#8221; approach to treatment of depression.&nbsp;



For the millions of people living with depression, this work represents a path toward precision care, shortening the time to effective treatment and improving quality of life.



The future of depression treatment lies not just in developing new medications, but in better understanding who needs what treatment when. This predictive model brings us measurably closer to that goal, promising a world where effective depression treatment is not a matter of luck, but of precision.



If you or someone you know is struggling with depression, please reach out to a mental health professional. The <a href="https://988lifeline.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Suicide Prevention Lifeline</a> (988) provides 24/7 support for those in crisis.

Predicting Treatment-Resistant Depression Using the 23andMe Survey Data

<h5 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fda-now-recommends-genetic-testing-before-prescribing-specific-chemotherapy-medications">FDA Now Recommends Genetic Testing Before Prescribing Specific Chemotherapy Medications</h5>



For years, patient advocates have been calling for stronger safeguards against preventable toxicity from chemotherapy. Last week, the FDA took a major step forward, updating the label for a drug called <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a699003.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">capecitabine</a> to explicitly recommend testing for variants in the DPYD gene before starting treatment. This is more than just a label change—it&#8217;s a long-awaited acknowledgment that genetics matter when it comes to patient safety.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What is DPYD?</h2>



The <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/gene/dpyd/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">DPYD gene</a> provides instructions for making an enzyme called DPD (dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase), which helps the body break down certain chemotherapy drugs like capecitabine and <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682708.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">5-fluorouracil</a>. These medications are commonly used to treat breast, colorectal, and other cancers. People with certain changes in this gene may not process these drugs properly, causing the drugs to build up in the body and, in some cases, leading to severe or even life-threatening <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/dihydropyrimidine-dehydrogenase-deficiency/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reactions</a>.



<figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="508" height="531" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/drug-bottle.png" alt="" class="wp-image-34304" style="width:126px;height:auto" srcset="https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/drug-bottle.png 508w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/drug-bottle-287x300.png 287w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 508px) 100vw, 508px" /></figure>



These reactions can include painful mouth sores, severe diarrhea, low white blood cell counts, and nerve problems. <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/dihydropyrimidine-dehydrogenase-deficiency/#frequency" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Up to 8%</a> of people have a variant in the DPYD gene that affects how well they process these medications. Sadly, some patients with DPYD variants have died after receiving these drugs. Such experiences have fueled years of advocacy calling for genetic testing before treatment, not after. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-change-in-the-recommendations">A change in the recommendations</h2>



Until now, the FDA advised doctors they could &#8220;consider testing&#8221; patients before giving capecitabine or similar drugs. The <a href="https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2025/020896s052lbl.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">new label</a> goes much further, adding a warning that says, &#8220;serious adverse reactions or death may occur in patients with complete DPD deficiency&#8221; and telling doctors to test for DPYD variants before prescribing the medication. (Experts predict a similar change to the 5-fluorouracil drug label soon.) It&#8217;s a major win for patient safety and for the <a href="https://test4dpd.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">advocacy groups</a> who have pushed tirelessly for this change. Organizations that have long advocated for universal DPYD testing hope this update will encourage hospitals and cancer centers across the U.S. to make pretreatment genetic testing standard care.



<figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="790" height="1024" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/PGt-Home-790x1024.png" alt="23andMe mobile pharmacogenomics" class="wp-image-28527" style="width:256px;height:auto" srcset="https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/PGt-Home-790x1024.png 790w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/PGt-Home-231x300.png 231w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/PGt-Home-768x996.png 768w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/PGt-Home-679x880.png 679w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/PGt-Home-910x1180.png 910w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/PGt-Home.png 1583w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 790px) 100vw, 790px" /></figure>



We share the belief that genetic insights can empower individuals and help improve outcomes. The 23andMe® <a href="https://www.23andme.com/topics/pharmacogenetics/dpyd/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">DPYD Drug Metabolism Pharmacogenetics report</a>*, available to <a href="https://www.23andme.com/membership/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">23andMe+ Premium</a>™ members, provides information about two variants associated with reduced DPD enzyme activity. While this report isn&#8217;t a substitute for clinical testing, it can help people learn whether they carry certain DPYD variants and start a conversation with their healthcare provider. 



The FDA&#8217;s new label is an important step toward safer, more personalized cancer treatment and a long-awaited victory for the patients and advocates who made their voices heard.



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



 * 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 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/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">23andme.com/test-info/pharmacogenetics/</a>

A Big Step Forward for Patient Safety

Late in the first quarter in only his third game this season, one professional football team’s star edge-rusher limped off the field, gesturing to his trainers with his thumb down. Apparently, he already knew what he&#8217;d find out a short time later with an MRI: he&#8217;d again torn his ACL, the anterior cruciate ligament.



While a hard tackle or awkward fall can tear an ACL, some people may be more prone to an ACL tear than others, and their genetics may explain why.



A new 23andMe polygenic risk score (PRS) report sheds light on that genetic connection. The report examines how a person&#8217;s genetics may impact their likelihood of experiencing an ACL tear, an injury particularly common among those involved in high-impact sports.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-genetics-may-influence-acl-tear-risk">How Genetics May Influence ACL Tear Risk</h2>



First, it&#8217;s important to note that your genetics is only one part of the story – many other factors can influence the risk of an ACL tear. 



<figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="306" height="126" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/ACL-tear-PRS-Hero.png" alt="" class="wp-image-34316" srcset="https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/ACL-tear-PRS-Hero.png 306w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/ACL-tear-PRS-Hero-300x124.png 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 306px) 100vw, 306px" /></figure>



Tears typically occur when the knee twists or extends beyond its normal range, often seen in sports that involve jumping and sudden stops, pivots, or changes in direction. That might be in sports such as football, soccer, basketball, or downhill skiing. The ACL is the most commonly injured ligament in the knee.&nbsp;&nbsp;



We also know that ACL tears are more common in female athletes. However, because more males participate in high-risk sports, the total number of ACL tears may actually be higher in males. They are also more likely in people with a family history of an ACL injury or a personal history of an ACL tear. Indeed, genetics plays an important role, with one 2020 sports medicine journal study estimating the <a href="https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/55/7/385" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">genetic contribution to an ACL tear at approximately 69 percent</a>. 



While the exact biological mechanism involved is not yet known, the genetic associations do offer some hints. Among the many genetic variants associated with ACL tears are variants in or near genes involved in the formation of collagen, a building block for ligaments. Scientists have discovered other variants linked to tears, but most of those associations are inconclusive, and more research is needed.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-23andme-s-new-acl-tear-prs-report">23andMe&#8217;s New ACL Tear PRS Report</h2>



Knowing how genetics influences the risk for an ACL tear can empower athletes, who are at the highest risk, train smarter and work toward preventing them.&nbsp;



To create the new ACL Tear PRS Report* 23andMe scientists analyzed data from people who consented to participate in research to identify thousands of variants associated with ACL tears. The 23andMe scientists then created a genetic model that incorporated those variants to calculate the genetic likelihood of an ACL tear.



This PRS report, like other 23andMe PRS reports, is research-based and not validated for medical diagnostic use; it may have limitations for people with mixed or less-studied ancestries and does not account for every possible factor influencing ACL health. In addition, polygenic risk scores integrate many common variants, but they do not account for rare genetic variants or lifestyle factors that can heavily impact risk.&nbsp;



For individuals with an elevated genetic or family risk, creating a personalized prevention plan and scheduling regular check-ins with sports medicine professionals are great ways to keep knees healthy.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mitigating-the-risk-of-acl-tears">Mitigating the Risk of ACL Tears</h2>



Whether you’re a pro athlete or not, and especially if you’ve already had an ACL tear before, proper training and technique&nbsp; are simple ways to help lower the likelihood of injury.



Here are a few things you can do to help lower the risk of an ACL tear:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Build muscle strength in the hamstrings, and core to stabilize the knee.</li>



<li>Maintain proper technique for movements such as jumping, pivoting, and squatting — like landing on the balls of your feet with knees bent and keeping knees aligned over your toes.</li>



<li>Warm up and cool down before and after physical activity to increase flexibility.</li>



<li>Wear supportive, activity-appropriate footwear for correct alignment.</li>



<li>Consulting with physical therapists or trainers for form and strength assessments can further reduce the risk, regardless of one&#8217;s genetic background.</li>
</ul>



We continue to learn about the role genetics plays in sports-related injuries, including ACL tears, but genetics is just one factor.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-learn-more">Learn More</h2>



<a href="https://www.23andme.com/membership/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">23andMe+ Premium</a>™ members can view this report with their other Wellness reports.



<a href="https://you.23andme.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sign in</a> to learn more about what 23andMe&#8217;s ACL Tear PRS can tell you. 



* The 23andMe ACL Tear PRS report is based on a genetic model that includes data and insights from 23andMe consented research participants and incorporates more than 6,000 genetic variants to provide information on the likelihood of experiencing an ACL tear. The report does not describe a person’s overall likelihood, does not account for lifestyle or family history and has not been reviewed by the US Food and Drug Administration. The ACL Tear PRS report is not intended to tell you anything about your current state of health, or to be used to make medical decisions or determine any treatment.

Genetics May Explain Why Some Athletes Are More Prone to ACL Tears

As many as one in 10 women have endometriosis, but diagnosing it can take up to a decade or more. Dive into the science, and learn a bit about a new 23andMe Endometriosis report that looks at the genetic likelihood of developing this painful condition.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="612" height="252" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/endometriosis_hero-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-34227" srcset="https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/endometriosis_hero-1.jpg 612w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/endometriosis_hero-1-300x124.jpg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 612px) 100vw, 612px" /></figure>



Have you ever been told your debilitating period pain is &#8220;normal&#8221;? Do you find yourself planning your life around your cycle, canceling plans, or missing work or school due to pain, heavy bleeding, or exhaustion? If so, you&#8217;re not alone; these symptoms could point to endometriosis, a common, yet often misunderstood, condition.



For those with endometriosis, tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows in other places, like the ovaries, fallopian tubes, or even the bowel and bladder. This can lead to severe pain, heavy periods, and in some cases, may make it harder to become pregnant (between 30–50% of women with endometriosis experience infertility).



If this sounds familiar, it’s important to know that your pain is real and more common than many people think. Endometriosis affects as many as 10% of women in the U.S. Despite this, the journey to a diagnosis can be frustratingly long, sometimes <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39373298/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">taking up to 12 years</a>. This delay often happens because symptoms are dismissed as &#8220;just a bad period.&#8221;



To support awareness and help people understand their genetic predisposition to endometriosis, we’ve launched the new Endometriosis* report for female <a href="https://www.23andme.com/membership/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">23andMe+ Premium</a>™ and <a href="https://www.23andme.com/total-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Total Health</a>™ members.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-causes-endometriosis">What causes endometriosis?</h2>



While the exact cause isn&#8217;t known, several factors can increase your likelihood of developing endometriosis:



<figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="612" height="720" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Group-125628.png" alt="" class="wp-image-34211" style="width:259px;height:auto" srcset="https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Group-125628.png 612w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Group-125628-255x300.png 255w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 612px) 100vw, 612px" /></figure>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Age: It most often affects menstruating people and is frequently diagnosed in the 30s and 40s.</li>



<li>Family history: Having a family member with endometriosis increases risk.</li>



<li>Reproductive history: Starting menstruation at a young age, experiencing menopause later in life, and having frequent or heavy periods (short cycles or bleeding lasting more than 7 days) can all increase chances of developing the condition.</li>
</ul>



These factors are associated with a higher risk. On the other hand, having been pregnant or breastfeeding may reduce risk.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-genetic-connection">The genetic connection</h3>



Endometriosis is what’s known as a <a href="https://www.genome.gov/genetics-glossary/Polygenic-Trait" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">polygenic</a> condition — meaning that many different genetic variants in many different genes can influence a person’s chances of developing it. In fact, <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26209831/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">research suggests</a> that genetics may explain nearly half of the differences in who develops endometriosis across a population.



In 2023, 23andMe collaborated with researchers at Oxford in what was at the time the largest study on <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/largest-genetic-study-to-date-links-endometriosis-with-chronic-pain" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">endometriosis and its association with chronic pain</a>. Now, to further understand the genetics of this condition, researchers at 23andMe looked at genetic and self-reported data from more than 1.5 million consented research participants. Using this information, they created a Polygenic Risk Score (PRS) — a model that considers thousands of genetic variants to estimate a person’s likelihood of developing endometriosis.



However, this model did not perform as accurately for 23andMe customers with Black or African American ancestry. Due to this limitation, we cannot provide a result for the Endometriosis report to those customers at this time. This is an important reminder that genetics research has historically underrepresented many communities. With continued research and broader participation, we hope to improve this work and reduce these disparities in the future.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-you-can-do-about-it">What you can do about it</h2>



While the road to getting a diagnosis and managing endometriosis can be long and frustrating, there are proactive steps you can take on your journey to getting answers and feeling better.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-advocate-for-yourself">Advocate for yourself</h3>



Track Your Symptoms. Before you see a doctor, consider starting a symptom diary. Being specific can make a big difference. Every day, note:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Pain: On a scale of 1–10, where is the pain, and what does it feel like (sharp, dull, cramping)?</li>



<li>Timing: When during your cycle do you feel symptoms? (During your period, during ovulation, all month long?)</li>



<li>Bleeding: How heavy is your flow? Are you passing clots?</li>



<li>Other Symptoms: Note any bloating, painful bowel movements, pain with sex, or fatigue.</li>



<li>Impact: How do these symptoms affect your daily life? (e.g., &#8220;Missed two days of work,&#8221; &#8220;Couldn&#8217;t exercise,&#8221; &#8220;Had to leave the party early.&#8221;)</li>
</ul>



Connect with a Doctor. Armed with your symptom diary, make an appointment with a healthcare provider.



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Be clear and confident. Say, &#8220;I am concerned I might have endometriosis because of these specific symptoms.&#8221;</li>



<li>Don&#8217;t be afraid to ask questions. &#8220;What are the next steps for diagnosis?&#8221; or &#8220;Could we explore treatment options for my pain now?&#8221;</li>



<li>If you feel dismissed, get a second opinion. Look for a gynecologist who specializes in endometriosis or pelvic pain.</li>
</ul>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-manage-symptoms">Manage symptoms</h3>



There’s no one-size-fits-all approach, but experts agree that certain lifestyle habits can make a difference:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Exercise: Activities like yoga can improve blood flow, relax muscles, and reduce pain.</li>



<li>Relaxation and self-care: Rest, warmth on the lower stomach (like a heating pad, warm water bottle, or bath), and gentle movement can help ease discomfort.</li>
</ul>



Medical options may include medications to manage pain and hormone levels, pelvic floor physical therapy, and in some cases, surgery. Because endometriosis tissue can respond to estrogen, symptoms may improve after menopause, when estrogen levels remain consistently low.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-take-the-next-steps">Take the next steps</h2>



Endometriosis pain is not an exaggeration, and it deserves to be taken seriously. Seeking answers is the first and most powerful step toward managing your health and reclaiming your quality of life.



Ready to learn more about your health and genetics and take the next step in your journey? Learn more about <a href="https://www.23andme.com/membership/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">23andMe+ Premium</a> or <a href="https://www.23andme.com/total-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Total Health</a> memberships.



Already part of 23andMe? <a href="https://you.23andme.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sign in</a> to view this report with your other Health Predisposition reports or upgrade 23andMe+ Premium or Total Health memberships.



* The 23andMe Endometriosis PRS report is based on a genetic model that includes data and insights from 23andMe consented research participants and incorporates more than 13,000 genetic variants to provide information on the likelihood of developing endometriosis. The report does not describe a person’s overall likelihood, does not account for lifestyle or family history, and has not been reviewed by the US Food and Drug Administration. The Endometriosis PRS report is not intended to tell you anything about your current state of health, or to be used to make medical decisions or determine any treatment. 



NOTE: Within this blog post, we use the words &#8220;women&#8221; and &#8220;female&#8221; to refer to people whose sex assigned at birth is female. However, we recognize that not everyone who experiences endometriosis will identify as female, and being categorized by birth sex may be an uncomfortable experience for some people. We do not mean to delegitimize anyone’s gender identity. Learn more about why we made this decision in this <a href="https://customercare.23andme.com/hc/en-us/articles/360010964373-How-23andMe-Uses-Your-Genetic-Sex-Birth-Sex-and-Gender" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">help article</a>.

Could Your Painful Periods Be Endometriosis? Here’s What You Should Know

This week, 23andMe added a new genetic report to help us all be more aware of an often overlooked contributor to health disparities.



<figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="763" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/duffy-statistic-1024x763.png" alt="" class="wp-image-34101" style="width:309px;height:auto" srcset="https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/duffy-statistic-1024x763.png 1024w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/duffy-statistic-300x224.png 300w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/duffy-statistic-768x572.png 768w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/duffy-statistic-880x656.png 880w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/duffy-statistic-1180x879.png 1180w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/duffy-statistic.png 1224w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35994632/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nearly 70%</a> of Black and African Americans have two copies of a variant in the Duffy antigen gene that can cause them to have white blood cell (WBC) counts that are lower than most standard reference ranges.&nbsp;



People who have this genotype — called Duffy null status — do not have an increased risk for <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32959868/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">infection</a> or <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39825822/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">other health problems</a>. But they may be flagged incorrectly as having abnormally low WBC counts, which can negatively impact the healthcare they receive.&nbsp;



&#8220;I&#8217;ve seen patients that are told that they might have cancer, go through painful bone marrow biopsies, miss out on joining clinical trials, or have critical medications like chemotherapy discontinued simply because their white blood cell counts were interpreted without understanding their Duffy status,&#8221; says Dr. Lauren Merz, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology at the University of Michigan, who is leading efforts to raise awareness about Duffy null status and develop Duffy null-specific reference ranges and who provided expert feedback on 23andMe&#8217;s new report.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-when-a-one-size-fits-all-blood-test-falls-short">When a one-size-fits-all blood test falls short</h2>



When we have our blood drawn, testing labs use reference ranges to determine whether our results fall in the range considered &#8220;normal&#8221; or are too high or too low, which can flag the need for clinical follow-up. One common blood test measures neutrophils, which are a type of white blood cell that helps the body fight infections.



Most neutrophil reference ranges are defined based on populations where Duffy null status is rare, such as people with European or Asian genetic ancestry. And blood testing labs don&#8217;t usually take into account Duffy status. As a result, <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35994632/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nearly 25%</a> of healthy Black and African Americans with Duffy null status — and more than 15% of all Black and African Americans — have neutrophil counts below the standard reference range.



These individuals may be misdiagnosed with neutropenia (low neutrophil counts), which can lead to a number of downstream harms, including <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34180972/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">unnecessary specialty referrals and follow-up tests</a> like bone marrow biopsies; <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39259539/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">exclusion from clinical trials</a> (because many trials require a minimum number of neutrophils that is higher than the normal range for people with the Duffy null genotype); and delayed or reduced access to medications for <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39259539/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cancer</a>, <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34645395/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mental health conditions</a>, and <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35724382/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">autoimmune disorders</a>. (See the sidebar at the bottom for more details.)



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-is-the-duffy-antigen-and-how-does-it-impact-white-blood-cells">What is the Duffy antigen, and how does it impact white blood cells?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="87" height="138" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/research.b57972a5e8fa.svg" alt="an icon representing research" class="wp-image-29284" style="width:117px;height:auto"/></figure>



The Duffy antigen is a protein found on the surface of red blood cells and certain other cells in the body. People with two copies of a specific <a href="https://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/health/d/duffy-null-associated-neutrophil-count" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">genetic variant in the ACKR1 (Duffy antigen) gene</a> don&#8217;t express this protein on their red blood cells — giving rise to the name &#8220;Duffy null.&#8221;



Being Duffy null can also impact infection-fighting white blood cells called neutrophils. People who are Duffy null tend to have naturally lower levels of circulating neutrophils in the peripheral blood — <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37338884/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">about 40% lower, on average</a>. But they don&#8217;t have an increased risk for infection, because the total number of neutrophils in their bodies remains the same. (Their neutrophils just move from the blood into other tissues like the spleen more easily.)



In the past, healthy people with low neutrophil counts were said to have &#8220;benign ethnic neutropenia,&#8221; because the Duffy null variant is more common in certain populations. But the preferred name is now <a href="https://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/health/d/duffy-null-associated-neutrophil-count" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Duffy null-associated neutrophil count (DANC)</a>, as this refers to the biological driver of Duffy status rather than the social construct of race or ethnicity — and highlights that lower neutrophil counts are normal for people who are Duffy null.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-is-duffy-null-status-associated-with-any-health-conditions">Is Duffy null status associated with any health conditions?</h2>



To date, there is no robust evidence that people with Duffy null status are at increased risk for any health conditions. In fact, a <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39825822/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">recent, large phenome-wide association study (PheWAS)</a> — which looked for potential associations between the Duffy null variant and 1,400 possible health conditions using the National Institutes of Health&#8217;s All of Us initiative and other cohorts — did not report any associations with disease. However, this is an active area of research.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-is-duffy-null-status-most-common-in-certain-populations">Why is Duffy null status most common in certain populations?</h2>



Although anyone can have Duffy null status, it is most common among people with African or Middle Eastern ancestry. In the U.S., two-thirds of people who identify as Black or African American have the Duffy null genotype, which means they do not express the Duffy antigen on their red blood cells.&nbsp;



Scientists believe this variant became common in certain populations because it <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21468018/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">helps protect against Plasmodium vivax</a>, a malaria parasite that relies on the Duffy antigen to infect red blood cells. (The variant does not protect against other types of malaria.) Over generations, people in regions where this malaria parasite was widespread were more likely to inherit this protective variant, and it remains common today in people with ancestry from some malaria-endemic regions.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="934" height="597" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/af_rs2814778_C.png" alt="" class="wp-image-34139" srcset="https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/af_rs2814778_C.png 934w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/af_rs2814778_C-300x192.png 300w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/af_rs2814778_C-768x491.png 768w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/af_rs2814778_C-880x562.png 880w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 934px) 100vw, 934px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">23andMe data also show that the Duffy null genetic variant is most common in people with ancestry from parts of the world where Plasmodium vivax malaria is common.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-importance-of-raising-awareness">The importance of raising awareness</h2>



Last year, the American Society of Hematology (ASH) launched the <a href="https://www.hematology.org/education/danc/danc-project" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC) by Duffy Status Project</a>, aimed at creating specific neutrophil reference ranges for people with the Duffy null genotype and advocating for broader awareness and testing.



&#8220;The Duffy null genotype is a perfect example of how well-meaning systems can fall short when they don&#8217;t reflect the full diversity of the people they serve,&#8221; says Dr. Merz. &#8220;Raising awareness — among both clinicians and patients — is essential to prevent misdiagnosis and ensure more equitable and personalized care.&#8221;



You can become your own advocate by learning about your Duffy status and sharing that information with your doctor.&nbsp;



The White Blood Cell Count (Duffy Antigen-Related) report is available to <a href="https://www.23andme.com/membership/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">23andMe+ Premium™ members</a> with their other Wellness reports.



<div style="float: left; text-align: justified; width: 700px; background-color: #eee; padding: 15px; margin-left: 5px;">
 
<h3>A deeper dive: How lack of awareness of Duffy null status can lead to downstream harm</h3>


Although Duffy null status does not usually cause health problems, harms can arise when Duffy null individuals are misdiagnosed with abnormally low neutrophil counts. These harms can include:
<ul>
<li>
Unnecessary follow-up testing. In general, low neutrophil counts can prompt concern from doctors, because they can be caused by blood cancers like leukemia. Follow-up testing involves a bone marrow biopsy, which is an invasive and sometimes painful test. 
 Because their neutrophil counts may be naturally lower than standard reference ranges, people with Duffy null status are much more likely to receive <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34180972/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">unnecessary bone marrow biopsies</a>. And one study reported that Duffy null status was the <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37419240/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">most common reason</a> for children to be referred to a children&#8217;s hospital for low neutrophil counts.
</li>
 
<li>
Exclusion from clinical trials. Many chemotherapy drugs reduce WBC production, which can make patients more susceptible to infections. As a result, most cancer clinical trials require patients to have a minimum neutrophil count before starting the trial, to help keep patients safe. 
 But a recent study found that more than 75% of cancer clinical trials have neutrophil thresholds that <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39259539/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">exclude some people with Duffy null status</a>. Researchers have suggested these exclusion criteria may be one reason that Black Americans are <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37477920/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">less likely to be included in cancer clinical trials</a>.
</li>
 
<li>
Delayed or reduced access to medications. Because some medications reduce WBC production, patients often have their neutrophils counted before and during treatment, so that their clinicians can adjust the dose, delay the start of treatment, or discontinue medications if counts become too low. 
 Because people with Duffy null status tend to have lower starting neutrophil counts, they may experience reduced or delayed access to important medications for <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39259539/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cancer</a>, <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34645395/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mental health conditions</a>, and <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35724382/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">autoimmune disorders</a>, or inappropriate dose adjustments. Because chemotherapy dose often increases the chance of survival, some scientists think that inappropriate chemotherapy dosing related to Duffy null status could help explain, in part, why <a href="https://www.cancer.org/about-us/what-we-do/health-equity/cancer-disparities-in-the-black-community.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">breast cancer mortality is higher in Black than white Americans</a>.
</li>
</ul>

</div>

The Duffy Antigen Gene: A Clue Behind White Blood Cell Differences

Every year on the third Saturday in October, the world celebrates International Archaeology Day, recognizing the important contributions archaeological research makes to society. This year, to celebrate, we&#8217;re spotlighting one of our favorite archaeological mysteries in the <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/23andmes-historic-matches" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Historical Matches</a>SM feature—the skeletons of Roopkund Lake.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-about-roopkund-lake">About Roopkund Lake</h2>



Roopkund Lake is a small glacial lake located over 5,000 meters (over 16,000 ft) above sea level in the Nanda Devi National Park, in the Indian Himalayas. In 1942, a forest ranger patrolling the park stumbled upon a chilling scene: hundreds of skeletal remains strewn around the lake. The site has captivated researchers and locals alike ever since.



The mystery of who these individuals were, how they died, and why they were in such a remote and inhospitable location has sparked decades of speculation. Some early researchers proposed that the remains belonged to an army that had lost its way in the mountains, while others suggested they might have been traders following a trans-Himalayan route that had since vanished. A few archaeologists posited that they were pilgrims traveling to nearby shrines, possibly part of the ancient Nanda Devi Raj Jat, a religious procession spanning ~290 kilometers (~180 miles) that is still undertaken in the region every 12 years.



The identification of women and children among the dead, however, made some of the proposed explanations less plausible–especially the claim that they may have been members of an army. Without weapons, trade goods, or written records, no single theory could fully account for the diversity and composition of the group. Local folklore offered its own interpretation: a king, his family, and attendants on a pilgrimage to honor the mountain goddess Nanda Devi had violated sacred protocol and were struck down by a deadly hailstorm in divine retribution.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-an-exciting-23andme-connection">An exciting 23andMe connection</h2>



<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31431628/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">In 2019</a>, scientists sequenced the genomes of 38 individuals from Roopkund Lake in an effort to better understand the origins of the mysterious remains. But instead of resolving this longstanding mystery, their findings uncovered an even more complex puzzle. 



So what makes this story one of 23andMe’s favorite archaeological mysteries? That 2019 research study was actually led by our very own Dr. Éadaoin Harney—a Scientist on the Population Genetics R&amp;D Team and 23andMe’s “resident ancient DNA expert.” She worked on this study during her PhD at Harvard University where she was a member of Prof. David Reich’s ancient DNA laboratories–one of the largest ancient DNA research laboratories in the world.



“When I first started working with the Roopkund ancient DNA data, I thought that genetics would be a simple and straightforward way to finally help solve the mystery of who they were,” said Dr. Harney. But she was in for a big surprise! “The first hint that this wasn’t going to be as simple as I initially thought was when we discovered how ancestrally diverse the Roopkund individuals were. Then we learned that they didn’t all die at the same time, as had previously been believed. Instead radiocarbon dates generated from the bones spanned over 1,000 years.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-dna-adds-to-the-mystery">How DNA adds to the mystery</h2>



The 2019 genetic analysis showed that the individuals fell into three distinct genetic groups, with ancestries from across the globe.



The largest group (which we’ll refer to as Roopkund A) consisted of 23 individuals who died between the 7th and 10th centuries CE, likely during multiple distinct events. Genetically, all appeared South Asian, but with remarkably diverse ancestries–each individual appeared most closely related to different present-day South Asian populations. This finding suggests that they may have traveled to the lake from multiple locations across the subcontinent. Although the exact purpose of their journey to Roopkund Lake remains uncertain, some researchers speculate that they may have been early participants in the Nanda Devi Raj Jat, a traditional pilgrimage that still passes by the lake every 12 years.



The other two groups were even more surprising. One group (Roopkund B) consisted of 14 individuals whose DNA connected them to present-day populations from the eastern Mediterranean—particularly populations in Greece and neighboring regions. The third group (Roopkund C) was represented by a single individual with genetic ancestry most similar to Southeast Asian populations. Radiocarbon dating revealed that these individuals likely died in a single event some time between the 17th and 20th centuries. Why people with ancestry from such distant regions were traveling together in one of the most remote parts of the Himalayas remains a mystery to this day.



Dr. Harney joined 23andMe in 2020 with the goal of creating an approach to identify direct genetic connections between historical and living people. She and her colleagues on the Population Genetics R&amp;D Team succeeded! This technology was first described in their <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10958645/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2023 study of African Americans from Catoctin Furnace</a>, which was published in (and featured on the cover of) Science. She then helped spearhead the creation of the 23andMe Historical Matches feature, enabling customers to learn how they connect to different historical and ancient individuals.



Over the last five years, one of her secret ambitions was to use this technology to try and finally solve the mystery of the Roopkund individuals&#8217; identities. Could identifying any close genetic relatives of the Roopkund individuals in the 23andMe genetic database help us learn about their identities and answer what brought them to Roopkund?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-did-we-solve-the-mystery">Did we solve the mystery?</h2>



We compared the Roopkund individuals to over 11 million research consenting participants in the 23andMe genetic database. While we were hoping this analysis would reveal a number of close genetic relatives, unfortunately, the mystery of Roopkund Lake lives on.



We found that only about 1,240 research participants—less than 0.011% of the individuals included in our analysis—share any sort of genetic connection to the Roopkund individuals. And of those participants, we can count the number of individuals who share over 30 cM of DNA (what we label a “significant genetic connection” in the Historical Matches feature) on just one hand. In fact, we found so few &#8220;significant relatives” that the chances any of those connections trace back to a recent shared common ancestor on a genealogical family tree are extremely slim.



(Although if you happen to be one of those lucky individuals who sees a “significant connection” listed to one of the Roopkund individuals in your 23andMe report, please <a href="https://customercare.23andme.com/hc/en-us/requests/new" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reach out to us</a>, as we’d love to learn more!)



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-else-did-we-discover">What else did we discover?</h2>



So, we didn’t solve the mystery of who the Roopkund individuals were, but we did gather fascinating data about their connections to the present day.



First, here is a breakdown of the 17 Roopkund individuals whose DNA was well preserved enough to include in our analyses:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>8 from Roopkund A (South Asian ancestry)</li>



<li>8 from Roopkund B (Eastern Mediterranean ancestry)</li>



<li>1 from Roopkund C (Southeast Asian ancestry)</li>
</ul>



As we mentioned, about 1,240 23andMe research participants shared a genetic connection to the Roopkund individuals. The figure below shows the number of matches each Roopkund group received and highlights the amount of DNA shared. As you can see, the vast majority of the connections we discovered involve less than 20 cM of DNA, meaning that they likely trace back to a shared common ancestor who lived long before any of the Roopkund individuals.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="411" height="252" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/image-3.png" alt="" class="wp-image-34359" style="width:625px;height:auto" srcset="https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/image-3.png 411w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/image-3-300x184.png 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 411px) 100vw, 411px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">This figure shows the distribution of total shared DNA that we detected between 23andMe research participants and each of the Roopkund groups (A, B and C). It shows that the vast majority of the connections we identified are to individuals in the Roopkund B group, and the DNA segments they share are shorter than 15 cM. In order to protect participant privacy, all counts less than or equal to 5 are masked and appear equal to 5. </figcaption></figure>



Of those who share a genetic connection, the majority (~1,160) shared a connection to one or more individuals in the Roopkund B group—the one with Eastern Mediterranean-related ancestry. This didn&#8217;t surprise us, since the majority of 23andMe research participants have European ancestry, making them more likely to be related to the Roopkund B individuals.



In addition to occurring more frequently, the Roopkund B individuals also shared some of the strongest genetic connections to 23andMe research participants, as shown in the figure below which depicts the maximum amount of DNA that each Roopkund individual shared with a research participant.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="643" height="448" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/image-4.png" alt="" class="wp-image-34360" srcset="https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/image-4.png 643w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/image-4-300x209.png 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 643px) 100vw, 643px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">This figure shows the maximum amount of shared DNA that we detected between 23andMe research participants and each of the Roopkund individuals. The individuals are arranged along the x-axis by when they lived, as measured by radiocarbon dating. We masked this result for Roopkund individuals who shared DNA with 5 or fewer 23andMe research participants in order to protect participant privacy, and reported maximum DNA sharing as equal to 0.</figcaption></figure>



We decided to see what Genetic Groups the Roopkund individuals could be connected to, using the same approach that we use to connect customers to these Genetic Groups.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;



Many of the Roopkund B individuals received matches to Genetic Groups in south eastern Europe, with the strongest connections to groups in Greece and Crete–exactly mirroring the findings of the original study!



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="849" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/roopkund_b_2-1024x849.png" alt="" class="wp-image-34352" style="width:575px" srcset="https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/roopkund_b_2-1024x849.png 1024w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/roopkund_b_2-300x249.png 300w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/roopkund_b_2-768x636.png 768w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/roopkund_b_2-880x729.png 880w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/roopkund_b_2-1180x978.png 1180w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">This map shows the location of the different Genetic Groups that we compared the Roopkund B individuals to. Groups shown in darker colors shared the strongest genetic matches to one or more of the Roopkund B individuals.</figcaption></figure>



Since the Roopkund A and Roopkund C individuals shared far fewer genetic connections to 23andMe research participants, it was hard to localize their ancestry in the same way. But we were able to connect the Roopkund C individual to a single Genetic Group, located in China. This finding is generally consistent with the original study, where this individual exhibited connections to populations in East and Southeast Asia.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="874" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/roopkund_c_2-1024x874.png" alt="" class="wp-image-34353" style="width:592px;height:auto" srcset="https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/roopkund_c_2-1024x874.png 1024w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/roopkund_c_2-300x256.png 300w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/roopkund_c_2-768x655.png 768w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/roopkund_c_2-880x751.png 880w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/roopkund_c_2-1180x1007.png 1180w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">This map shows the location of the different Genetic Groups that we compared the Roopkund C individual to. Groups shown in darker colors shared the strongest genetic matches to the Roopkund C individual.</figcaption></figure>



We couldn’t connect the Roopkund A individuals to any of the Genetic Groups that we have identified. That doesn’t mean they aren’t genetically related to any of these groups. Instead it is likely just because the original research team was only able to sequence a small amount of DNA from these individuals, making it harder to connect them to research participants in the 23andMe database.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-next">What’s Next?</h2>



So for now, all we can say is that the mystery of Roopkund Lake continues. But we promise this archaeological site is one that is close to our hearts. If we have any updates in the future, we’ll be sure to let you know.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-learn-more">Learn more</h2>



Want to see if you share a genetic connection with any of the individuals who died at Roopkund Lake—or hundreds of other historical people? The Historical Matches feature is available to <a href="https://www.23andme.com/membership/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">23andMe+ Premium</a>™ members.



And if you are interested in finding ways to celebrate International Archaeology Day, check out organizations like the Archaeological Institute of America, which has an exciting <a href="https://www.archaeological.org/events/category/international-archaeology-day/list/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">calendar of Archaeology-related events</a>.

New Historical Matches Could Connect You to the Mysterious Skeletons of Roopkund Lake

This update is currently available to all eligible customers on the latest, V5, genotyping chip. 



The 23andMe Ancestry Team has been working hard on <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/a-major-update-to-ancestry-composition-is-coming-soon" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">a major update to the Ancestry Composition report</a>, and results are now available! Our goal is to provide the most accurate and meaningful genetic ancestry results in the industry. We ground our models in rigorous science, guided by established population genetics research, to ensure your results are consistent, reliable, and can help guide your personal journey of discovery.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-changes-you-ll-see">What changes you&#8217;ll see</h2>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>New granularity in your ancestry percentages: 33 new populations in Europe and 6 in the Americas to explore. Plus we&#8217;ve updated our algorithm to eliminate “Broadly” and “Unassigned” categories in the default results view.&nbsp;</li>



<li>More accurate results: A new state-of-the-art DNA phasing pipeline reduces errors and gives a more accurate estimate of your percentages, even if your ancestry isn&#8217;t from Europe or the Americas.&nbsp;</li>



<li>New features: A new “Version History” section lets you compare your new results to your previous result, and <a href="https://www.23andme.com/membership/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">23andMe+ Premium</a>™ members can also access all previous versions of their results at different confidence thresholds.</li>
</ul>



This update powers your Ancestry Composition, Ancestry Timeline, Parental Inheritance, DNA Painting, and more.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-our-focus-for-this-update">Our focus for this update</h2>



For this update we focused on improving the entire Ancestry Composition pipeline integrating the latest research. Throughout the rounds of development we look at two major metrics: precision and recall. Precision lets us know how often we correctly predict that a piece of DNA is from a specific population. Recall tells us how much DNA from a specific population we can correctly identify. Working to maximize both precision and recall is critical to making Ancestry Composition and other ancestry features as accurate as possible.



<figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="366" height="368" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/AC78_wheel.png" alt="" class="wp-image-34276" style="width:170px;height:auto" srcset="https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/AC78_wheel.png 366w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/AC78_wheel-298x300.png 298w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/AC78_wheel-150x150.png 150w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/AC78_wheel-271x271.png 271w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 366px) 100vw, 366px" /></figure>



The final models in this update had good precision and recall across the new populations, ensuring the accuracy of the ancestry breakdown predictions while also expanding the specificity and granularity of the populations. One example of the improvements gained by this update is the reduced amount of North Asian ancestry predicted for some Indigenous North American customers. You can learn more about the development process and see precision and recall metrics for each population in the <a href="https://www.23andme.com/ancestry-composition-guide/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ancestry Composition Guide</a>.



While this update focused on increasing granularity in Europe and the Americas, customers from other parts of the world will still benefit thanks to the improvements to the science and the removal of broadly and unassigned ancestry.



<a href="https://you.23andme.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sign in</a> and check out your new results.&nbsp;



Not yet a 23andMe member? Learn more about what <a href="https://www.23andme.com/compare-dna-tests/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">23andMe has to offer</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-some-questions-you-might-be-wondering-about">Some questions you might be wondering about</h2>



Why are certain populations combined?



To define the 78 Ancestry Composition populations, we analyzed the reference datasets, chose candidate populations that appeared to cluster together, and then evaluated whether we can distinguish those groups in practice. Some populations tend to cluster on their own, but most country-level populations overlap to some degree. In these cases, we experiment with different groupings of country-level populations to find combinations that we can distinguish with high confidence. Check out the <a href="https://www.23andme.com/ancestry-composition-guide/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ancestry Composition Guide</a> to learn more.



Does this mean that the people in those groups are the same? No. Each group has its own history, culture, and often different languages. These groupings are a reflection of our current genetic understanding and scientific methods, not a statement about cultural identity.



Does this mean DNA that is assigned to these populations is from all groups? Not necessarily. For example, DNA assigned to the Belarusian, Polish &amp; Ukrainian group might mean your ancestors were from one, two, or all three of those country-level populations. Sometimes other information from your DNA, such as your Genetic Groups, might help you identify more specific locations your ancestors may have come from.&nbsp;



Why are some reference panels smaller than before?



A reference panel, or a reference population or reference dataset, is a collection of DNA samples from people with some common connection. We compare your DNA to these reference panels to determine which ancestry most closely corresponds to your DNA. We often use 23andMe research participants who tell us they have four grandparents all born in the same country for reference panels.



However, sometimes when we look at the ancestry prediction for individuals in a reference panel for a specific population a few individuals don&#8217;t end up being predicted to have a reasonably large percentage of their DNA from that population. These individuals are considered outliers. As part of this update we systematically reviewed our reference panels around the world to remove these outliers. But don&#8217;t worry; even though some reference panels might be smaller, we still check that the models perform as well as (or better than) before for people with ancestry from these regions.&nbsp;



Why is there no Indigenous Caribbean population?



To define a new ancestry population we need reference panels made up of individuals who have deep genetic roots from one place. However, many individuals from the Caribbean are highly admixed (“admixture” refers to places where there was mixing of previously separate populations). This makes it incredibly difficult to identify a sufficient number of individuals with primarily indigenous DNA from the Caribbean. The reference panels for the new Indigenous American populations are almost entirely unadmixed, which is why we are able to provide ancestry percentages for these populations.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="502" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/avg_ancestry_caribbean-1024x502.png" alt="" class="wp-image-27359" style="width:371px;height:auto" srcset="https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/avg_ancestry_caribbean-1024x502.png 1024w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/avg_ancestry_caribbean-300x147.png 300w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/avg_ancestry_caribbean-768x376.png 768w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/avg_ancestry_caribbean-880x431.png 880w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/avg_ancestry_caribbean-1180x578.png 1180w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



So where does Indigenous Caribbean ancestry show up? We tend to see that Indigenous American ancestry in individuals from the Caribbean is spread among several of the new Indigenous American populations (especially North American, Southern Mesoamerican, Central Andean &amp; Amazonian, and Northern Andean).



Does this mean Indigenous Caribbean ancestors came from those places? Not necessarily. It simply means that of the options available today, those populations are the closest genetic match.&nbsp;



Why weren&#8217;t other parts of the world updated?



While we would love to be able to make major updates around the world more frequently, each new population requires new reference data and major updates in the prediction models. Throughout the years we have increased the number of populations across the rest of the world; however, we have not updated the populations in Europe since 2012. This update was an important opportunity to provide more detail in Europe and the Americas.



We will continue to work towards providing more specificity and granularity around the world in your ancestry percentages as well as Genetic Groups (keep an eye out over the next few months for new Genetic Groups in Africa), <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/23andmes-historic-matches" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Historical Matches</a>SM, and other features.



Why did the colors change?



Adding 39 new colors to the color palette was quite the task for the 23andMe Design Team. The team took this opportunity to think about the colors holistically, coming up with a new system that provides a gradient across the world, allowing for nearby populations that are closer together geographically to be represented by more similar colors, while at the same time providing a system that can work for more populations in the future.



Who will get this update?



All customers genotyped on the current (V5) chip and with access to the ancestry service will see this update. A genotyping chip (or array) tests for a fixed set of genetic variants (SNPs) across the genome. Different chip versions (V1, V2, V3, V4, V5, etc.) test for different sets of SNPs. More recent chips often include better coverage for certain populations, recently discovered variants, or better genetic markers that help improve ancestry?composition algorithms or detect health?associated variants.



Ancestry Composition is trained on specific genotyping chip versions, and these latest models were only trained on the latest chip version. The models are incompatible with data from older genotyping chips, as older chips don’t include most of the genetic markers used by these new ancestry models. More recent chip versions are also designed with better coverage for diverse populations. If you&#8217;re on an older chip version (or not sure which chip version you have) learn about chip upgrades <a href="https://customercare.23andme.com/hc/en-us/articles/360025014494-How-Do-I-Upgrade-My-Genotyping-Chip" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>.



What happens if my family deleted data and I want to connect with them?



When you connect with a biological parent through Your Connections, we use the additional information we learn from your parents&#8217; DNA to improve the resolution of your Ancestry Composition results. You will also be able to see the proportions of each ancestry that you inherited from each parent in the Parental Inheritance section in your Ancestry Composition report. If a family member has deleted their account they will need to purchase a new kit and create a new account before you can connect with them.

It’s Finally Here: A New Version of Ancestry Composition

Each year from September 15–October 15, National Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates the histories, cultures, and contributions of people from Spain, Latin America, and other Spanish-speaking communities. To mark the occasion, we’re highlighting a remarkable ancient DNA study from Las Gobas, a medieval site in northern Spain that sheds new light on life in early Iberia, which comprises present-day Spain and Portugal.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-setting-the-scene-iberia-in-the-early-medieval-period">Setting the Scene: Iberia in the Early Medieval Period</h2>



From the 5th to 8th centuries CE, Iberia was ruled by the Visigoths, a Germanic people who established power after the fall of the Western Roman Empire. In 711 CE, their kingdom collapsed after the Umayyads—an Islamic dynasty with roots in Arabia and North Africa—invaded and established the Emirate (and later the Caliphate) of Córdoba. This new state controlled much of Iberia, along with the Balearic Islands and parts of North Africa.



In the mountainous north, however, many communities retained their independence and Christian traditions, even as the rest of the Iberian peninsula underwent profound cultural and political change.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-life-at-las-gobas">Life at Las Gobas</h2>



Las Gobas, located in today’s province of Burgos in northern Spain, consists of 13 rock-cut caves and several freestanding structures. Beginning in the 7th century, it served as a mixed-use settlement with homes, a Christian church, and a cemetery. By the late 9th century, the residential area was abandoned, but the site continued to be used as a burial ground and place of worship until the 11th century.



<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39196943/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">In 2024</a>, researchers analyzed DNA from 33 individuals buried at Las Gobas. They discovered that the community’s ancestry remained surprisingly stable over the centuries, with little evidence of genetic influence from the Islamic expansion that reshaped much of Iberia.



Why was Las Gobas different? Their DNA offered a clue. Many individuals carried stretches of identical DNA inherited from both parents—patterns that often occur in small, insular populations with limited outside contact. This genetic isolation likely helped shield the community from broader population shifts happening elsewhere.



The study also revealed striking details about life at Las Gobas:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Inbreeding: The DNA of several individuals showed evidence that their parents were close relatives; likely first cousins or closer.</li>



<li>Disease: DNA evidence showed infections from multiple pathogens, including what may be one of the earliest documented cases of smallpox in northern Iberia.</li>



<li>Violence: Skeletal remains showed signs of traumatic injuries, likely from swords—evidence of interpersonal conflict or warfare.</li>
</ul>



Taken together, the findings paint a vivid—and sometimes harsh—picture of life more than a thousand years ago in a small, tightly knit community in northern Spain.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-learn-more">Learn more</h2>



Want to see if you share a genetic connection with these newly added individuals from Las Gobas—or hundreds of other historical people? The <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/23andmes-historic-matches" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Historical Matches</a>SM feature is available to <a href="https://www.23andme.com/membership/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">23andMe+ Premium</a>™ members.

New Historical Matches Could Connect You to the Medieval Iberian Site of Las Gobas

<a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/ancestry-composition-version-7-is-here" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">This update</a> is currently available to all eligible customers on the latest, V5, genotyping chip.



23andMe’s flagship Ancestry Composition algorithm was last updated in 2022, when three new reference populations were added in China. Since then, the 23andMe Ancestry Team has focused on improving the specificity of reference populations and updating the methods underlying this state-of-the art algorithm. The result? More specificity and accuracy in the ancestry breakdowns we provide.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="508" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Ac-omega-map-correc-1024x508.png" alt="" class="wp-image-34246" srcset="https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Ac-omega-map-correc-1024x508.png 1024w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Ac-omega-map-correc-300x149.png 300w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Ac-omega-map-correc-768x381.png 768w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Ac-omega-map-correc-880x437.png 880w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Ac-omega-map-correc-1180x585.png 1180w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



The project, Version 7 of Ancestry Composition, is the most significant update to the feature ever.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-improved-algorithm-expanded-populations-better-results">Improved algorithm, expanded populations, better results</h2>



Over the last few months, we’ve been hard at work finalizing the details on this major update to your favorite report: Ancestry Composition.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="499" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/image-3-1024x499.png" alt="" class="wp-image-34237" style="width:537px;height:auto" srcset="https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/image-3-1024x499.png 1024w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/image-3-300x146.png 300w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/image-3-768x374.png 768w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/image-3-880x429.png 880w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/image-3-1180x575.png 1180w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/image-3.png 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Here’s what we&#8217;ve been working on:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Better breakdowns in Europe and the Americas: Thanks mainly to consented 23andMe research participants we&#8217;ve been able to expand the number of unique populations in our reference datasets. Reference datasets are collections of DNA samples from people with deep roots in a specific part of the world. It&#8217;s what is needed to compare each piece of your DNA to in order to determine where in the world that DNA most likely came from. What this means is we’re launching with nearly four times the resolution in Europe and six new populations in the Americas. We also took the opportunity to refine reference datasets from around the world, making them more specific to each global population.</li>



<li>Enhanced Accuracy: The accuracy of these new ancestry results are greatly improved by using our <a href="https://www.cell.com/hgg-advances/fulltext/S2666-2477(25)00082-X" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">recently published</a>, state-of-the-art DNA phasing method. You could think of phasing as sorting which DNA you inherited from each parent. Reducing errors in phasing means a more accurate estimate of your ancestry percentages and better <a href="https://customercare.23andme.com/hc/en-us/articles/212860507-Chromosome-Painting-23andMe-Ancestry-Results" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">DNA Painting</a>.&nbsp;</li>



<li>Elimination of Broadly and Unassigned DNA: We are updating our algorithm to report the most likely assignment for a given stretch of DNA rather than at a fixed confidence threshold. This will have the benefit of eliminating &#8220;Broadly&#8221; and &#8220;Unassigned&#8221; categories in the default results view. You will still be able to view your results at different confidence thresholds in the Version History section.</li>



<li>Better Error Detection: We&#8217;ve upgraded our smoother to better filter out erroneous trace ancestries between two larger blocks of ancestry. See our <a href="https://www.23andme.com/ancestry-composition-guide/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ancestry Composition Guide</a> for more information about the current smoother.</li>



<li>Version History: Compare your new results to your old ones in a new &#8220;Version History&#8221; section. <a href="https://www.23andme.com/membership/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">23andMe+ Premium</a>™ members will also be able to access previous versions at different confidence settings.</li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-are-the-new-reference-populations-nbsp">What are the new reference populations?&nbsp;</h2>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>33 new ancestry populations in Europe are coming: Albanian &amp; Macedonian; Andalusian, Asturian &amp; Castilian; Aragonese &amp; Catalan; Austrian &amp; Southern German; Basque; Belarusian, Polish &amp; Ukrainian; Belgian, Rhinelander &amp; Southern Dutch; Bosnian, Croatian, Montenegrin &amp; Serbian; Bulgarian, Moldovan &amp; Romanian; Canary Islander; Czech, Hungarian, Slovak &amp; Southern Polish; Danish; Dutch &amp; Northern German; English; Estonian; Finnish; French; Greek; Icelandic; Irish; Kosovar &amp; Northern Albanian; Latvian; Lithuanian; Maltese; Northern Italian; Norwegian; Portuguese &amp; Galician; Russian; Sardinian; Scottish; Slovenian; Southern Italian; Swedish; Swiss, Southwestern German &amp; Western Austrian; Welsh</li>
</ul>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="840" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/europe_map-1024x840.png" alt="" class="wp-image-34262" style="width:523px;height:auto" srcset="https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/europe_map-1024x840.png 1024w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/europe_map-300x246.png 300w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/europe_map-768x630.png 768w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/europe_map-880x722.png 880w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/europe_map.png 1101w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Indigenous American will be broken into 6 new ancestry populations: Arctic North American, Central Andean &amp; Amazonian, North American, Northern Andean, Southern Mesoamerican, and Western North American</li>
</ul>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="562" height="393" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/image-2.png" alt="" class="wp-image-34236" srcset="https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/image-2.png 562w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/image-2-300x210.png 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 562px) 100vw, 562px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-your-dna-story-now-clearer-across-time-place-and-family">Your DNA story, now clearer across time, place, and family</h2>



These updates, drawn from sharper science and richer data, power everything you use to explore your ancestry, including Ancestry Timeline, Parental Inheritance, DNA Painting, and more. This builds on the world’s most comprehensive ancestry breakdown on the market with over 4,000 regions, helping you experience the life-changing power of DNA by tracing where your ancestors lived and what they passed on to you.



Ancestry Composition, Version 7. More precision. More connection. More you.



This is a massive project for us and a chance to get back to our roots by digging deeper into yours. We’re thrilled you’re as excited as we are.



The 23andMe Ancestry Team

A Major Update to Ancestry Composition

<h5 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-data-initiative-accelerates-access-to-vital-genetic-and-clinical-insights">Data initiative accelerates access to vital genetic and clinical insights</h5>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1200" height="675" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/lung-double-edited-2.png" alt="Illustration of lungs on a background with a larger illustration of lungs" class="wp-image-34192" srcset="https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/lung-double-edited-2.png 1200w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/lung-double-edited-2-300x169.png 300w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/lung-double-edited-2-1024x576.png 1024w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/lung-double-edited-2-768x432.png 768w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/lung-double-edited-2-880x495.png 880w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/lung-double-edited-2-1180x664.png 1180w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /></figure>



At the 2025 World Conference on Lung Cancer in Barcelona, the 23andMe Research Institute, in collaboration with Troper Wojcicki Philanthropies and the health data software company Lifebit, introduced an open-source platform that could help fast-track research discoveries through a powerful new cancer data repository.



The announcement comes just a year after the start of the<a href="https://www.23andme.com/lung-cancer" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Lung Cancer Genetics Study</a>, spearheaded by 23andMe and bringing together more than 20 lung cancer advocacy and science organizations to recruit 10,000 people diagnosed with lung cancer. Their goal is to develop new ways to identify those at highest risk for lung cancer early, while also finding possible new treatments for this deadly cancer.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Personal Drive Behind the Mission</h2>



The effort is personal for many of the advocates who are part of the collaboration and also for Anne Wojcicki, founder and CEO of the 23andMe Research Institute. Anne&#8217;s sister Susan Wojcicki died of lung cancer last year, just as the study began.



&#8220;My sister was passionate about understanding the science behind lung cancer so future generations could prevent the disease and treat it. The Lung Cancer Genetics Study is a step towards achieving that.” Anne said.



In the months before her death, <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/a-legacy-of-hope-in-the-fight-against-lung-cancer" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Susan had been very involved in helping to create the study with the hope that it could help others</a>. The idea was not just to leverage genetic data for insights into lung cancer but also to create a repository of data that would be available to as many qualified researchers as possible.&nbsp;



The platform — created through the collaboration between the 23andMe Research Institute, Troper Wojcicki Philanthropies, and Lifebit — offers a secure, open-source data platform for researchers to access this novel dataset. Powered by Lifebit&#8217;s Health Data Ecosystem, the platform provides qualified researchers with no-cost access to de-identified data from people diagnosed with lung cancer who have consented to participate in this research.&nbsp;



&#8220;More people die of lung cancer each year than breast, colon, and prostate cancer combined, yet it is one of the least funded for research. It’s important for this powerful new tool to be available at no cost to qualified researchers so that the best minds can work on unlocking the genetic insights that may lead to a cure,&#8221; said Anne.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Building a One-of-a-Kind Data Resource</h2>



Since launching the <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/23andme-launches-new-genetic-study-of-lung-cancer" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lung Cancer Genetics Study</a>, more than 1,200 people diagnosed with lung cancer have enrolled to participate in the research. The goal is to enroll 10,000 people by 2027, but the study has already assembled one of the most diverse cohorts ever for lung cancer genetic research.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="464" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/teal_waldos-1024x464.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-34183" style="width:242px;height:auto" srcset="https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/teal_waldos-1024x464.jpg 1024w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/teal_waldos-300x136.jpg 300w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/teal_waldos-768x348.jpg 768w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/teal_waldos-880x399.jpg 880w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/teal_waldos-1180x534.jpg 1180w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Genetics is just one of many factors involved in why some people develop lung cancer. Exposure to tobacco smoke is perhaps the best-known risk factor; however, <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2409903/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">80 to 90%</a> of people with a history of tobacco exposure never get lung cancer, and many people without tobacco exposure get the disease. These facts underscore the importance of investigating other, less well-known risk factors, like air pollution, radon exposure, and workplace-related exposures.



And there&#8217;s much more we don&#8217;t know about lung cancer. Many do not realize, for instance, that lung cancer is the <a href="https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/research/cancer-facts-and-statistics/annual-cancer-facts-and-figures/2025/2025-cancer-facts-and-figures-acs.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">number one cause of cancer death in women</a> and <a href="https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/about/newsroom/articles/most-common-cancers-in-women#:~:text=It%20may%20not%20surprise%20you,in%20women%20and%20people%20AFAB." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the second most common cancer in women</a>. Although lung cancer overall is decreasing because of declines in tobacco use, lung cancer among people who have never smoked <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7431055/#:~:text=As%20expected%2C%20the%20primary%20factor%20leading%20to,non%2Dsmokers%20has%20been%20noted%20to%20be%20increasing." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">is stable or increasing</a>, and <a href="https://www.webmd.com/lung-cancer/features/lung-cancer-women-who-never-smoked" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">two-thirds of people diagnosed with lung cancer with no smoking history are women</a>.&nbsp;



Understanding the genetics of lung cancer may help unravel some of the factors underlying those statistics. Additionally, learning more about the underlying genetics could provide researchers with more insight into the biological mechanisms of the disease, aiding in the development of improved therapies and new diagnostics.&nbsp;



The de-identified data that participants in the Lung Cancer Genetic Study consented to share isn’t limited to just genetics. Many participants also chose to provide self-reported clinical, lifestyle, and even tumor biomarker data. The study will also follow participants over time, gathering important longitudinal data to help researchers understand the progression of cancer as well as the response to treatments.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Empowering Researchers</h2>



By opening up access to qualified researchers, the collaborators aim to address significant gaps in current lung cancer research, break down institutional silos, and remove barriers to dataset access, thereby accelerating research progress.&nbsp;



&#8220;We&#8217;re delivering more than a data system — we&#8217;re enabling an entirely new model for research equity and access,&#8221; said Nadia Litterman, PhD, Director of Scientific Affairs and Partnerships at Troper Wojcicki Philanthropies.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Find Out More</h2>



Anyone who has been diagnosed with lung cancer can learn more and enroll in the study at<a href="http://23andme.com/lung-cancer" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> 23andme.com/lung-cancer</a>.



Interested researchers can begin the data access request process by contacting TWP study program manager Caitlin Nichols at <a href="mailto:caitlin@twphilanthropies.org">caitlin@twphilanthropies.org</a>.&nbsp;

Illustration of lungs on a background with a larger illustration of lungs

Powerful New Tool Opens Lung Cancer Data for Research Breakthroughs

Health Huddle LIVE from New Orleans brought together top athletes, medical professionals, and community leaders for powerful conversations on health, genetics, and early detection. Hosted at Dillard University during Super Bowl Week, the event was part of 23andMe’s Community Health Huddle, featuring expert panels and free health screenings. 



Watch the Highlights: 



<figure class="wp-block-embed alignwide is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="The 23andMe Health Huddle: Live from New Orleans" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5hOR4o5PkAU?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-experts-athletes-amp-actionable-insights">Experts, Athletes &amp; Actionable Insights</h2>



Panelists included Dr. Jen Caldwell, Dr. Joel Bervell, and Dr. Mathew Knowles—a breast cancer survivor and 23andMe Global Brand Ambassador—who shared personal stories and insights on health disparities, preventive medicine, and genetic testing. They were joined by NFL Total Health Ambassadors, highlighting how genetic insights shape performance, recovery, and longevity in sports.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-takeaways">Key Takeaways</h2>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Genetic Testing Saves Lives – Understanding your genetic risks enables early detection and prevention, reducing the burden of chronic diseases. </li>



<li>Your Family History is Your Health Roadmap – What runs in your family doesn’t have to define your future, but knowing your risks empowers healthier decisions. </li>



<li>Health Inequities Must Be Addressed – Underserved communities continue to lack access to vital genetic and preventive care. This must change. </li>



<li>Athletes Rely on Science to Perform &amp; Recover – The same genetic insights that help pros optimize their health can help everyone make more informed health choices.</li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-beyond-the-event-driving-change">Beyond the Event: Driving Change</h2>



Health Huddle LIVE reinforced a core truth: genetic insights aren’t just about ancestry—they’re a tool for taking control of your health and advocating for better healthcare access. By bringing together medicine, sports, and community leadership, 23andMe continues to lead the movement for health equity and empowerment.



 #HealthHuddleLIVE #GeneticHealth #CommunityWellness

Inside Health Huddle LIVE: Athletes, Experts & Doctors on Longevity, Genetics & Wellness

September is Sickle Cell Awareness Month, which offers us another chance to highlight some of the work 23andMe and its collaborators have done over the years.



Earlier this month, researchers from 23andMe,<a target="_blank" href="https://www.nih.gov/" rel="noreferrer noopener"> the the National Institutes of Health</a>, and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/som/" rel="noreferrer noopener">Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine</a> published new data on the association between sickle cell trait and blood clots. The new findings highlight the importance of this ongoing research and our overall efforts to illuminate this condition.



At 23andMe, knowledge is power, and understanding risks offers people opportunities to mitigate them.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-awareness-and-research">Awareness and Research</h2>



But more than that, 23andMe also offers a unique research model that allows individuals to learn about their genetic likelihood of developing a condition and participate in innovative genetic research that could potentially find new treatments.



As part of our <a href="http://www.23andme.com/sickle-cell" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sickle Cell Carrier Status Awareness Program</a>, 23andMe has collaborated with academics and advocacy organizations to increase <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/sickle-cell-awareness-2">understanding of sickle cell</a>. In addition, we’re providing resources for those with sickle cell trait and sickle cell disease. With the help of the<a href="https://www.sicklecellga.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia, Inc. (SCFG)</a>,<a href="https://www.btsscycle.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Breaking the SSickle Cell Cycle</a>,<a href="https://www.sc101.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Sickle Cell 101</a>, and the<a href="https://www.msm.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Morehouse School of Medicine</a>, we’re working with Black communities to promote awareness. 



We are not alone in this effort. Recently, the NBA, the WNBA, and Wilson Sporting Goods began the #IBall4SickleCell social media campaign to raise awareness. The groups participating in the effort are Breaking the SSickle Cell Cycle, the American Red Cross of Tennessee, and New York Presbyterian’s Dalio Center for Health Justice. Learn more about sickle cell, the campaign, and how to help<a href="https://www.sicklecellball.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> here</a>. 



From all this work and research, we have learned much about sickle cell and the people it impacts most. However, much work is still needed to improve people’s understanding of sickle cell.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-on-sickle-cell-anemia-sickle-cell-trait">More on Sickle Cell Anemia, Sickle Cell Trait</h2>



Although many people have heard of sickle cell, often they do not know the difference between sickle cell trait and sickle cell anemia.



To have sickle cell anemia, one must inherit two copies of the HbS variant in the HBB gene—one copy from each biological parent. Typical signs and symptoms include anemia, pain episodes, and frequent infection.



People with just one copy of the HbS variant are called carriers. They’re also said to have <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/sicklecell/traits.html" rel="noreferrer noopener">sickle cell trait</a>. People with sickle cell trait are not expected to have sickle cell anemia. They typically do not experience any health complications. However, in rare cases, people with the sickle cell trait may experience some health impacts. Current research, including our study, is underway to understand better and spread awareness about the complications someone with SCT may experience.



Importantly, carriers can pass their variant on to their future children. If their partner has the HbS variant or another variant in the HBB gene, there’s a 25 percent chance that each child may have sickle cell anemia or a related blood disorder.&nbsp;&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-23andme-s-sickle-cell-anemia-carrier-status-report">23andMe’s Sickle Cell Anemia Carrier Status Report**</h2>



23andMe’s<a target="_blank" href="https://www.23andme.com/topics/carrier/sickle-cell-anemia/" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Sickle Cell Anemia Carrier Status Report</a>, which meets FDA requirements for clinical and analytical validity, looks at the HbS variant in the HBB gene linked to sickle cell anemia.



Sickle cell anemia is the most severe form of sickle cell disease. Three hundred million people worldwide and one in 13 Black and African Americans in the United States have sickle cell trait, making them carriers for sickle cell anemia.



In addition to informing people if they have one copy of the HbS variant and are carriers for sickle cell anemia, <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/23andme-updates-carrier-status-report-on-sickle-cell-anemia">23andMe’s report </a>can also tell individuals if they have two copies of the tested variant and if they are at risk of developing symptoms. However, the report does not describe one’s overall risk of developing symptoms. 



Because the HbS variant is more common in certain populations, the Sickle Cell Anemia report is most relevant to people of African, Middle Eastern, and South Asian descent, as well as people from the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, and parts of Central and South America.



23andMe Health + Ancestry Service customers and 23andMe+ Premium members can see their <a target="_blank" href="https://you.23andme.com/reports/carrier.sickle_cell_anemia/" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sickle Cell Anemia report here</a>.&nbsp;



Not yet a customer? Learn more about <a target="_blank" href="https://www.23andme.com/compare-dna-tests/?_gl=1*11ns9j4*_ga*OTk4NDAyMjA3LjE3MTgzODA2MTg.*_ga_G330GF3ZFF*MTcyNTQxNDcyOS4xNjQuMS4xNzI1NDE0Nzk4LjAuMC4w" rel="noreferrer noopener">all that 23andMe offers here</a>.



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



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-note">Note:</h2>



**The 23andMe PGS test uses qualitative genotyping to detect select clinically relevant variants in the genomic DNA of adults to report carrier status and reporting and interpreting genetic health risks. The relevance of each report may vary based on ethnicity. Our carrier status reports can be used to determine carrier status but cannot determine if you have two copies of any genetic variant. These carrier reports are not intended to tell you anything about your risk for developing a disease in the future, the health of your fetus, or your newborn child’s risk of developing a particular disease later in life. We provide a single report for certain conditions that includes information on carrier status and genetic health risk. For important information and limitations regarding other genetic health risk reports and carrier status reports, click <a target="_blank" href="https://www.23andme.com/test-info/" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>.

An illustration for 23andMe's Sickle Cell Carrier Statues Awareness Program.

Learn More About Our Research and Collaborations During Sickle Cell Awareness Month

Editor&#8217;s note 7/8/2024: This post has been updated since 2020. In addition, We do not support uploading DNA data obtained from other testing services to 23andMe. This article explains the risks of uploading your DNA data to third party services.
With all of <a class="waffle-rich-text-link" href="https://www.23andme.com/compare-dna-tests/">23andMe&#8217;s services</a>, you’re in charge of your genetic data. That means we let you decide what information you want to learn and what information you want to share. However, you need to be informed about the risks of sharing your genetic data with other services. This includes understanding the implications if you decide to upload DNA to 23andMe or any third-party service.
After receiving <a class="waffle-rich-text-link" href="https://www.23andme.com/dna-reports-list/">personalized genetic reports</a> from 23andMe, customers can choose to download their raw DNA data. Some customers may do this to upload their data to third-party services, which offer to interpret their raw DNA data to find new genetic relatives or get additional genetic reports. However, 23andMe cannot vouch for the scientific validity or accuracy, or clarity in communication of results of any such third-party services. In fact, only 23andMe offers a consumer genetic test with health reports that have FDA&#8217;s independent assurance of validity and clear results (without requiring a prescription).
Beyond concerns about scientific validity, uploading your raw DNA data to a third-party service can also put <a href="https://www.23andme.com/privacy/">your data privacy</a> at risk. In part, this is why 23andMe provides important warnings to its customers before they choose to download.
<h2>What are some of the risks of uploading your DNA data to a third-party website? </h2>
<div id="attachment_27862" style="width: 310px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/how-to-be-careful-with-your-raw-dna-data/what-is-dna-upload" rel="attachment wp-att-27862"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-27862" class="size-medium wp-image-27862" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/What-is-DNA-Upload-300x128.jpg" alt="An illustration of the steps for downloading data." width="300" height="128" srcset="https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/What-is-DNA-Upload-300x128.jpg 300w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/What-is-DNA-Upload.jpg 512w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></a>Most consumer genetics companies, including 23andMe, allow you to download your own raw DNA data. At that point, the customer is free to do what they like with their raw DNA data, such as deciding to upload that raw DNA data to third-party services.</div>
At 23andMe, we’re clear with our users about the risks of using third-party services that provide additional health, wellness or trait insights. This is because only select genotype data used specifically in our Health reports have been individually validated for accuracy. While the rest of your data has undergone a general quality review, it has not been validated to the extent of the data underlying our official 23andMe reports. As a result, raw DNA data should not be used for medical purposes and we do not recommend the use of third-party services that claim to interpret raw DNA data to provide health information.
Consumers also cite concerns about law enforcement uploading crime-scene DNA data to third-party services to crack a cold case. Simply put, uploading crime-scene DNA data into the 23andMe environment is not possible because we do not support the upload of DNA data that has been processed by a third-party laboratory.
Further, 23andMe’s <a href="https://www.23andme.com/transparency-report/">Transparency Report</a> details our policy against releasing customer’s individual DNA data to any third party &#8211; including law enforcement &#8211; without receiving the customer’s explicit consent, unless required by law.
However, this concern about law enforcement upload of crime scene DNA data is a real one that we warn customers about should they choose to upload their DNA data to other third party platforms, including public genealogy services or other third party services that facilitate DNA data upload.
But there’s another form of vulnerability that’s less well-understood: Within databases that allow for raw DNA data uploads with access to relative matching features, people with malicious intent can upload real or fake “<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trojan_horse_(computing)">Trojan Horse</a>” genetic profiles for access to your personal identifying information. They could even infer your specific DNA variants—such as information about any disease risk variants you might carry. This is one reason why we don&#8217;t support uploading DNA to 23andMe.
<h2>How can that happen?</h2>
<ul>
<li>Many relative-matching services allow you to see the exact section or sections of DNA you share with each relative.*</li>
<li>If uploading DNA data is allowed, it means you no longer know for sure that your relative’s profile is actually controlled by your relative, and a malicious actor could upload real or fake DNA data to deduce information about you based on sections of matching DNA, including any disease risk variants you might have.</li>
<li>Even if shared segments aren’t shown, there are still ways that people with malicious intent can deduce some of your DNA variants.</li>
</ul>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-27863 alignright" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/How-Uploading-Creates-Risk-300x202.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="202" srcset="https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/How-Uploading-Creates-Risk-300x202.jpg 300w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/How-Uploading-Creates-Risk.jpg 512w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />
This vulnerability was recently described in two reports: one at the University of Washington and another at the University of California, Davis. The authors of these reports explain several ways an “adversary” can deduce people&#8217;s genotypes “either at key positions or at many sites genome-wide” in databases that allow DNA data uploads with relative matching. This highlights the risks associated with uploading DNA to 23andMe or similar services.
Both reports outline specific ways for services to mitigate risk, such as limiting the information displayed in relative-matching features.
While these practices may reduce risk, we believe the simplest and most effective defense is to not allow individuals genotyped through other testing services to upload their DNA data to 23andMe for the purpose of discovering genetic relatives.
In the past, 23andMe has allowed DNA uploads from other consumer genetic testing services in very specific circumstances. Specifically, on DNA Day in April 2018, 23andMe allowed individuals who tested at other companies to upload their results to access a subset of our trait reports, but 23andMe has not enabled the discovery of new relatives for these accounts.
<h2>How does 23andMe ensure that only real, consenting individuals participate in our service? </h2>
In a word, spit.
When you spit into the tube, you’re embarking on the adventure of a lifetime. You’re also trusting 23andMe with some of your most personal information.
Requiring a saliva sample is how 23andMe is able to verify that you’re a real person who chose to participate in the service. While it might be easy to upload fake DNA data, it’s another matter entirely to fake a spit sample, which requires filling a tube with more than two milliliters of spit. It’s how you know that “Linda-your-4th-cousin-who-you-didn’t-know-existed” is a real person who chose to do 23andMe. Linda had to spit in a tube, too.
<h2>What are some key questions you should ask?</h2>
When considering whether or not to upload your raw DNA data to another website, we encourage you to familiarize yourself with their privacy and security policies before you upload your raw DNA data.
Make sure to consider the following questions:
<ol>
<li>Before you upload your DNA data, ask yourself: do I really need to do this? Am I willing to risk the security and privacy of my DNA data by uploading it to a third-party service?</li>
<li>Do your research! Does the third-party service have a track record of strong privacy and data security?</li>
<li>How will the third-party service use your information?  How can your information be further shared with other third parties?</li>
<li>If you are not interested in discovering new relatives but you want additional DNA insights, does the other service explicitly exclude features relating to discovering genetic relatives?</li>
</ol>
An earlier article detailing our stance on protecting customers’ data is available <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/news/our-stance-on-protecting-customers-data/">here</a>. 
<h2>Learn More</h2>
Find out if your <a href="https://www.23andme.com/test-info/genetic-health/">genetics</a> might Increase your risk for any health conditions with 23andMe.
You can also Learn more about common risks associated with uploading raw DNA online and how to protect your DNA information.
*By default, 23andMe does not display your ancestry information or DNA segment information to relatives or connections until you decide to share it with them.

Can You Upload DNA Data to 23andMe? 

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;

Happy DNA Day 2024

Cancer casts its shadow on almost all of us. Whether we&#8217;re facing our own diagnosis or that of a spouse, a parent, a child, a friend, or another loved one, we can muster the courage we need in those moments by knowing we are not alone.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-beat-cancer">Beat Cancer</h2>



We at 23andMe are encouraged by the White House’s recent designation of April as National Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Month to rally support for those affected and their families and highlight the importance of prevention and screening.



But beyond simply naming the month, this is part of a collective effort to raise awareness that includes <a href="https://www.preventcancer.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/2024_White_House_partner_letter_Cancer_Prevention_Early_Detection_FINAL.pdf">support from 84 non-profit and patient advocacy organizations</a>. Each group focuses on expanding cancer screening, research, and treatments. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="1024" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Get-your-green-on-1024x1024.png" alt="" class="wp-image-32772" srcset="https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Get-your-green-on-1024x1024.png 1024w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Get-your-green-on-150x150.png 150w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Get-your-green-on-300x300.png 300w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Get-your-green-on-768x768.png 768w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Get-your-green-on-880x880.png 880w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Get-your-green-on-1180x1180.png 1180w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Get-your-green-on-271x271.png 271w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Get-your-green-on-372x372.png 372w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Get-your-green-on-574x574.png 574w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Get-your-green-on-980x980.png 980w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Get-your-green-on.png 1200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">23andMe Employees wearing green in support of National Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Month.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-progress">Progress</h2>



So much progress has been made already — <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/hpv/parents/vaccine/six-reasons.html">vaccines against human papillomavirus</a> promise to slash the rates of cervical cancer; cancer screening has <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10405449/">saved millions of lives</a> in the last three decades; new <a href="https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/press-releases/2020/lung-cancer-treatments-mortality-drop">treatments for lung cancer</a> have reduced mortality rates; and immunotherapies such as <a href="https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/research/car-t-cells">CAR-T cell therapy</a> have improved outcomes for many types of cancer.



However, much more needs to be done. Every year, more than 1.8 million people in the United States are <a href="https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/understanding/statistics">diagnosed with cancer</a>, and more than 600,000 people die each year, making it the <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/leading-causes-of-death.htm">second leading cause of death</a> behind heart disease.&nbsp;



Every cancer is different, but early detection and treatment offer the best outcomes for all cancers. Improved awareness about cancer screening — regular mammograms and colorectal cancer screening, for instance — can go a long way toward early detection.&nbsp;



Knowing one&#8217;s risk by learning about one&#8217;s family cancer history, or through genetic testing, or simply through identifying risk factors in one&#8217;s life can help identify those at higher risk and direct them toward preventive care or enhanced screening.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-power-of-knowing">The Power of Knowing</h2>



23andMe wants to show our support for this new effort but also share a little about how we are raising awareness about cancer, alerting people of their potential risk for different forms of cancer, and adding to the growing body of research into cancer to potentially identify causes and cures.



In the coming weeks, we’ll share more about what 23andMe has done and is doing to help people better understand their genetic risk and family cancer history and how that knowledge is a formidable tool for cancer prevention.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-find-out-more">Find Out More</h2>



Learn more about cancer prevention and screening from the <a href="https://www.preventcancer.org/cancer-prevention-early-detection-month/">Prevent Cancer Foundation</a>. You can explore more about all that 23andMe has to offer <a href="https://www.23andme.com/compare-dna-tests/">here</a>.

A photo of a doctor showing a patient information on a digital tablet.

Improving Cancer Outcomes Through Early Diagnosis and Treatment

Fundamental, common humanity unites every person on the planet: DNA. Some use race and biology to explain what are, in reality, social and cultural differences between people. It’s a fact that we humans are genetically 99.5 percent identical.&nbsp;



23andMe is a brand that leads with science. We fundamentally believe that we are more alike than we are different. Understanding that ridding ourselves of socially constructed ‘isms’ — like racism or classism —frees everyone. When we step out of systems of “us” vs “them” and bear witness to the oppression of people everywhere, humanity takes center stage.&nbsp;



Isabel Wilkerson’s biographical New York Times best-selling book, Caste, inspired Ava DuVernay’s new film ORIGIN. As with the book, DuVernay’s moving film adaptation — starring Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor as Wilkerson — analyzes discrimination and the connections between American racism, Nazi persecution of Jews, and India&#8217;s caste system.&nbsp;



It is the 0.5 percent that makes us each genetically different from one another and has also bred hatred across the world.



23andMe believes that focusing on all that we share as humans, and celebrating what makes us unique, could bring the world together. So for the next 23 days of January, 23andMe will donate 100 seats daily, to the <a href="https://www.seat16.com/">Seat16 program</a> which has a goal of getting 10,000 young people around the country to see the new film, ORIGIN.



Everyone deserves a place in this world and we believe in focusing on the things we share in common. Above all else, we want the world to remember that we are all 100 percent human.



ORIGIN will be in select theaters starting on January 19, 2024. 23andMe CEO and Co-founder Anne Wojcicki helped produce the film. You can see the ORIGIN film trailer <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAweg5PaMuw">here.</a> 



#100PercentHuman <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C1VAohGvlEW/?img_index=2">#ORIGINFilm</a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/seat16/">#Seat16</a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/23andme/">#23andMe</a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/unityindiversity/">#UnityInDiversity</a>

Origin and Our Common Humanity

Sit back and listen to 23andMe CEO and Co-Founder <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/23andmes-anne-wojcicki-among-the-best-ceos-for-women">Anne Wojcicki, </a>along with 23andMe board member and founder of 23andMe Therapeutics division <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/richard-scheller-named-to-national-academy-of-medicine">Richard Scheller</a>, speak to Roelof Botha of Sequoia Capital about the company&#8217;s critical moments in history.



Botha, who is also on the 23andMe Board of Directors, discusses how the company weathered early criticism, even at its founding in 2006, from the 2013 FDA letter that ordered 23andMe to stop selling health testing products to customers to downturns in consumer interest.



The episode is part of a series called <a href="https://www.cruciblemoments.com/episodes/23andme" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Crucible Moments,</a> produced by Sequoia Capital. In this series, Roelof explores moments in every start-up business journey in which a company can succeed or fail. How a company responds often defines its future.



Listen to <a href="https://www.cruciblemoments.com/episodes/23andme">Anne&#8217;s Crucible Moments</a> and learn a little about <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/23andme-turns-16">23andMe&#8217;s history</a>.

Crucible Moments in 23andMe’s History

Since 2019, 23andMe customers have had the option to utilize authenticator app 2-factor authentication, which adds an extra layer of security to their account. Starting today, we are requiring all customers use a second step of verification to sign into their account.&nbsp;



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-is-2-step-verification">What is 2-Step Verification?</h6>



2-step verification (2SV), also referred to as 2-factor authentication, requires customers to provide two distinct steps to sign in before accessing their accounts. In combination with a username and password, customers will be asked for a verification code. 



Depending on what method customers choose to use, that code will either be generated by an authenticator app, or sent to their email if they use email 2-step verification. This code is another way to verify the customer’s identity before accessing their account.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-setting-up-2-step-verification">Setting Up 2-Step Verification</h6>



New customers will be automatically enrolled in email 2SV when they create their account. Existing customers who do not already use an authenticator app will also be automatically enrolled in email 2SV, and will receive an email containing their verification code at their next sign-in. 



Existing customers who already use an authenticator app, can continue to use that option. New customers who want to use an authenticator app, such as Google Authenticator™ mobile app, instead of email 2SV, can set up the authenticator app using the instructions found <a href="https://customercare.23andme.com/hc/en-us/articles/360034119874-Adding-2-Step-Verification-to-Your-23andMe-Account">here</a>. 



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-questions">Questions?</h6>



As always, customers can work with our <a href="https://customercare.23andme.com/hc/en-us/">Customer Care team</a> if they have questions about using this added security step.



 This new security update is part of our ongoing commitment to keep customer data safe and secure. It’s another line of defense to protect their data. We encourage all of our customers to review our <a href="https://customercare.23andme.com/hc/en-us/articles/360062175913-Privacy-and-Security-Help-Center">Privacy and Security Checkup</a> page, where they will find additional information on how to keep their accounts secure.

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

Enhanced Customer Security at 23andMe with 2-Step Verification

Update: December 5, 2023 2:45 PM PST



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-credential-stuffing-incident-what-happened">Credential Stuffing Incident: What happened?</h2>



As our investigation comes to a close, we wanted to share the details of what took place and our findings.&nbsp;



In early October, we learned that a threat actor accessed a select number of individual 23andMe.com accounts through a process called credential stuffing. That is, usernames and passwords that were used on 23andMe.com were the same as those used on other websites that have been previously compromised or otherwise available. We do not have any indication that there was a data security incident within our systems, or that 23andMe was the source of the account credentials used in these attacks.&nbsp;



The threat actor used the compromised accounts to access information shared with these accounts. Specifically, DNA Relatives profiles connected to these compromised accounts, which consist of information that a customer chooses to make available to their genetic relatives when they opt in to participate in 23andMe’s DNA Relatives feature. A DNA Relatives profile includes information such as display name, predicted relationships, and percentage of DNA shared with matches. You can find a full list of the types of information included in a DNA Relatives profile <a href="https://customercare.23andme.com/hc/en-us/articles/212170838">here</a>.



Additionally, through the compromised accounts, the threat actor accessed a feature called Family Tree, which includes a limited subset of DNA Relatives profile information. The Family Tree feature does not include ancestry information such as the percentage of DNA shared with genetic matches or ancestry reports.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-the-threat-actor-accessed-nbsp">What the Threat Actor Accessed&nbsp;</h2>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>The threat actor was able to access less than 0.1%, or roughly 14,000 user accounts, of the existing 14 million 23andMe customers through credential stuffing.&nbsp;</li>



<li>The threat actor used the compromised credential stuffed accounts to access the information included in a significant number of DNA Relatives profiles (approximately 5.5 million) and Family Tree feature profiles (approximately 1.4 million), each of which were connected to the compromised accounts.</li>
</ul>



Since detecting the incident, we emailed all customers to notify them of the investigation and are continuing to notify impacted customers, based on applicable laws. We also required every 23andMe customer to reset their password. In addition, 23andMe now requires all new and existing customers to login using two-step verification. Protecting our customers’ data privacy and security remains a top priority for 23andMe, and we will continue to invest in protecting our systems and data.



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



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-security-incident-updates">Security Incident Updates</h2>



Update: December 1, 2023 3:45 PM PST



23andMe has completed its investigation, assisted by third-party forensics experts. We are in the process of notifying affected customers, as required by law.&nbsp;



We have taken steps to further protect customer data, including requiring all existing customers to reset their password and requiring two-step verification for all new and existing customers. The company will continue to invest in protecting our systems and data.



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



Updated: November 6, 2023 7:45 AM PST



Starting today, we are requiring all customers to utilize email 2-step verification (2SV) as an&nbsp;added&nbsp;layer of protection for their account.&nbsp;New customers will be automatically enrolled in email 2SV when they create their account. Existing customers who do not already use an authenticator app will also be automatically enrolled in email 2SV, and will receive an email containing their verification code at their next sign-in. You can read <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/enhanced-customer-security-at-23andme-with-2-step-verification">more on our blog post</a>.



Update: October 20, 2023 9:35 PM PST



As part of the ongoing security investigation, we have temporarily disabled some features within the DNA Relatives tool as an additional precaution to protect the privacy of our customers.



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



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-actions-has-23andme-taken">What actions has 23andMe taken?</h2>



Update: October 9, 2023 8:25 PM PST



Our investigation continues and we have engaged the assistance of third-party forensic experts. We are also working with federal law enforcement officials.&nbsp;



We are reaching out to our customers to provide an update on the investigation and to encourage them to take additional actions to keep their account and password secure. Out of caution, we are requiring that all customers reset their passwords and are encouraging the use of multi-factor authentication (MFA).



If we learn that a customer’s data has been accessed without their authorization, we will notify them directly with more information.



Please continue to follow this blog for updates as our investigation continues



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



October 6, 2023



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-credential-stuffing-attack">Credential Stuffing Attack</h2>



We recently learned that certain 23andMe customer profile information that they opted into sharing through our <a href="https://customercare.23andme.com/hc/en-us/articles/212170838">DNA Relatives feature</a>, was compiled from individual 23andMe.com accounts without the account users’ authorization.



After learning of suspicious activity, we immediately began an investigation.&nbsp; While we are continuing to investigate this matter, we believe threat actors were able to access certain accounts in instances where users recycled login credentials – that is, usernames and passwords that were used on <a href="https://www.23andme.com/">23andMe.com</a> were the same as those used on other websites that have been previously hacked. 



We believe that the threat actor may have then, in violation of our <a href="https://www.23andme.com/legal/terms-of-service/#requirements-and-conditions">Terms of Service</a>, accessed <a href="https://www.23andme.com/">23andMe.com</a> accounts without authorization and obtained information from certain accounts, including information about users’ DNA Relatives profiles, to the extent a user opted into that service.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-committed-to-safety-and-security">Committed to Safety and Security</h2>



23andMe is committed to providing you with a safe and secure place where you can learn about your DNA knowing your privacy is protected. We are continuing to investigate to confirm these preliminary results. We do not have any indication at this time that there has been a data security incident within our systems, or that 23andMe was the source of the account credentials used in these attacks.&nbsp;



At 23andMe, we take security seriously. We exceed industry data protection standards and have achieved three different ISO certifications to demonstrate the strength of our security program.&nbsp; We actively and routinely monitor and audit our systems to ensure that your data is protected.&nbsp; When we receive information through those processes or from other sources claiming customer data has been accessed by unauthorized individuals, we immediately investigate to validate whether this information is accurate. Since 2019 we’ve offered and encouraged users to use multi-factor authentication (MFA), which provides an extra layer of security and can prevent bad actors from accessing an account through recycled passwords.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-recommendations">Recommendations </h2>



We encourage our customers to take as much action to keep their account and password secure. Out of caution, we recommend taking the following steps:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Confirm you have a strong password, one that is not easy to guess and that is unique to your 23andMe account. If you are not sure whether you have a strong password for your account, reset it by following the steps outlined <a href="https://customercare.23andme.com/hc/en-us/articles/202907580-Forgot-Your-Password-#:~:text=You%20are%20able%20to%20reset,the%20Send%20Reset%20Email%20button.">here</a>.&nbsp;</li>



<li>Please be sure to enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) on your 23andMe account. You can enable MFA by following the steps outlined <a href="https://customercare.23andme.com/hc/en-us/articles/360034119874-Adding-2-Step-Verification-to-Your-23andMe-Account">here</a>.</li>



<li>Review our <a href="https://customercare.23andme.com/hc/en-us/articles/360062175913-Privacy-and-Security-Help-Center">Privacy and Security Checkup</a> page with additional information on how to keep your account secure.</li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-need-assistance-customer-care-is-available">Need Assistance? Customer Care is Available</h2>



23andMe is here to support you. Please contact Customer Care at <a href="mailto:customercare@23andme.com">customercare@23andme.com</a> if you need assistance with navigating these important steps to protect your account.

Addressing Data Security Concerns – Action Plan

Blog editor’s note:This #BlackHistoryMonth, 23andMe employees are discussing the resiliency and joy in the Black and African diaspora. While we reflect on the past, share and recognize Black stories and history, we’re also looking ahead toward the future. This month we’ve curated  guest blogs from people who embody that joy, and resiliency and are making that future a reality. Here&#8217;s a personal story about how a lack of Black dermatologists can impact Black patients.
By Shakeia Taylor
If I had to guess, I’d say I’ve spent most of my life on a quest for perfect skin: even, dewy, and smooth. For a good chunk of my preteen and early teenage years  I dealt with acne scars. “Stop picking,” my mom would say, as she swatted my hand from my face. No matter how many times she reminded me that touching my face would not make my skin clear up any faster, I’d find my fingers drawn to the offending dark spots
My cheeks. My forehead. Right between my eyebrows. Acne was always present for me in those spots. I’d try to wear my hair in ways that concealed it. I&#8217;d wear it in giant bangs, only to end up distressed because it’s not practical to cover your face with your hair for a school day. 
I was extremely self-conscious about my face once I started to develop acne and scarring in elementary school. It was the 90’s and clear skin was marketed to teens as a way to be cool. There were ads for products specifically for teenage skin on television all the time. One new skincare brand even used celebrities for its campaigns.Whenever the ads and infomercials came on, especially  while I was watching with other people, I would feel embarrassed. I certainly didn’t want my skin’s shortcomings to be a focus, but sometimes they were. When someone disagreed with me, or wanted me to know they weren’t fond of me, they would joke about my acne and blemishes . It felt like my skin was my sin.I often wondered if it was possible for one of those products to be my salvation.
<h6><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-29575" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/DSC2455-1.jpg" alt="" width="1080" height="1350" srcset="https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/DSC2455-1.jpg 1080w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/DSC2455-1-240x300.jpg 240w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/DSC2455-1-768x960.jpg 768w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/DSC2455-1-819x1024.jpg 819w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/DSC2455-1-704x880.jpg 704w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/DSC2455-1-944x1180.jpg 944w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px" />Medical distrust and mistreatment</h6>
But finding treatment for skin problems for someone who isn’t white is difficult and discouraging. Many doctors aren’t trained in identifying how some skin issues can appear on black and brown skin. Illustrations and demonstrations typically use white skin, which makes it  difficult for doctors to recognize maladies and treat darker skin. Medications and other treatments aren’t always tested on Black and brown skin, therefore the impacts and effects can sometimes be unknown. There are also very few Black dermatologists. Many people of color are aware of this and tend to steer clear of doctors entirely, which could prove fatal –  as serious issues like skin cancer could then go undetected and untreated. 
My family falls into this category. For years, we’d only go to the doctor when something was seriously wrong . But my mother, determined to fight years of medical distrust, was on a mission to change that. She insisted that we get regular check-ups and schedule appointments the moment something felt or looked off. “What’s the point of insurance,” she’d ask, “if we’re not going to use it?” 
<div id="attachment_29534" style="width: 1716px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-29534" class="size-full wp-image-29534" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/DSC2473-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="1706" height="2560" srcset="https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/DSC2473-scaled.jpg 1706w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/DSC2473-683x1024.jpg 683w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/DSC2473-587x880.jpg 587w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/DSC2473-787x1180.jpg 787w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/DSC2473-200x300.jpg 200w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/DSC2473-768x1152.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1706px) 100vw, 1706px" /> Photos by Akilah Townsend</div>
<h6>Hoping</h6>
<div id="attachment_29535" style="width: 250px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-29535" class="wp-image-29535 size-medium" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/DSC2482-240x300.jpg" alt="" width="240" height="300" srcset="https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/DSC2482-240x300.jpg 240w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/DSC2482-768x960.jpg 768w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/DSC2482-819x1024.jpg 819w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/DSC2482-704x880.jpg 704w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/DSC2482-944x1180.jpg 944w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/DSC2482-scaled.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 240px) 100vw, 240px" />Photos by Akilah Townsend</div>
Every morning I’d wake up extra early before school and stare in the mirror hoping some small overnight skin miracle had occurred. I mean, I was drinking water and eating great (if you don’t count that I primarily subsisted on french fries and cheese sauce). When were things going to improve? Finally my mom decided to take me to a dermatologist. She was weary of how much my appearance was distracting me, so she got a recommendation from a trusted co-worker. I’d never heard of anyone we knew going to see a dermatologist before but I knew what they did. I was excited, relieved even, that my parents had finally heard my cries and gotten a recommendation for a dermatologist. I was hopeful my skincare woes would soon be over. 
I was sadly mistaken
I remember the day I went to the doctor.. I dressed nice; and I felt ready to learn what it would take to get the clear, smooth skin I deserved. But the dermatologist didn’t calm my fears or my irritated skin that day. She picked and poked at my face. She squeezed blackheads. Ouch. She inquired about what products we use for laundry, skin care, and hair care. She  discovered that I was allergic to coconut oil, an ingredient commonly found in Black hair care products, and suggested I find alternatives.  I was prescribed two tubes of creams; one of which was retinol. Though my face was sore from all the poking, I was still hopeful because we had a plan! And I  had prescriptions to pick up! 
<h6>Losing Trust</h6>
The prescription ointments impacted me immediately. After using them, my skin became dry, red, swollen, and blistered. My cheeks looked as if they had been burned. . Then the redness turned into black, blue, and purple scabs. It was a nightmare. I somehow looked worse than I did before the appointment. I cried. I was miserable. Not only did I look horrible  but my face burned. It stung to wash it. It hurt to sleep with my face against a pillow. I felt ugly and let down. Going to the dermatologist was supposed to make things better, not worse. I asked my mom to let me stay home so as not to endure any further teasing about my skin. 
In a follow-up appointment we learned that maybe my young skin was a little too sensitive for the strength of retinol I had been prescribed. We were told the effects on Black and brown skin weren’t really known so it was trial and error to find out what really worked. My mom decided the doctor had done enough damage and she would take matters into her own hands because what doctor would prescribe a child something so strong. From then on, she bought my skincare from various department store cosmetic brands. She was confident she could make sure I didn’t experience burning skin anymore. 
It took a few weeks for my skin to heal completely, but my trust in dermatology took a massive hit, as did my self-esteem. I’ve spent a lot of time being afraid to put anything on my skin out of fear of experiencing a reaction, but also hating it for seemingly being so sensitive and scarring easily. 
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-29577" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/DSC2293_3-V2.jpg" alt="" width="1920" height="1080" srcset="https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/DSC2293_3-V2.jpg 1920w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/DSC2293_3-V2-300x169.jpg 300w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/DSC2293_3-V2-768x432.jpg 768w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/DSC2293_3-V2-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/DSC2293_3-V2-880x495.jpg 880w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/DSC2293_3-V2-1180x664.jpg 1180w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" />
<h6>Finding relief </h6>
It’s been more than twenty years since my experience with a dermatologist and the amount of money I’ve spent on both drugstore and department store skincare brands is probably enough to put a child through community college. I’ve purchased every oil and serum. I’ve even tried a few home remedies. I’m not alone – I’ve had many conversations through the years with other Black women who, like me, have trust issues with dermatology.  
But now that I’m nearly 40, some of my skincare needs have changed. So I asked my primary care physician for a dermatology referral. After I explained my history, she pointed me to a local research hospital’s ethnic skin care team. This type of culturally competent skin care might have saved me years of avoiding the dermatologist and hiding behind various foundations and concealers. Though my anxiety around seeing a doctor has not gone away entirely, it has been greatly reduced. I have been able to find solutions to problems I thought I’d have to live with for the rest of my life. My eczema has calmed, the number of breakouts I get has decreased, and the dark spots on my face have started to fade. Finding care that treats not only the complaint, but the person, has not only improved my skin but my quality of life. 
<hr />
Shakeia Taylor is a writer and columnist based in Chicago. She is an avid supporter of women in baseball, and an active advocate for diversity in sports journalism.

Black Dermatologists Breaking Barriers

Blog editor’s note: This #BlackHistoryMonth, 23andMe employees are discussing the resiliency and joy in the Black and African diaspora. While we reflect on the past, share and recognize Black stories and history, we’re also looking ahead toward the future. This month we’ve curated  guest blogs from people who embody that joy, and resiliency and are making that future a reality. Today’ we meet Jonathan McCory the executive artistic director of the National Black Theatre.
By Melissa Kimble
 Founded in Harlem in 1968 by the mother of the Black Arts movement, Dr. Barbara Ann Teer, the National Black Theatre is the country’s first revenue generating Black arts complex and the longest running Black theater in the world. 
The theater’s  current Executive Artistic Director, Jonathan McCrory, honors the founder’s principles of ownership, self-determination and human transformation, while he and his team confront the enormous challenges the Black community faces today. 
For Jonathan it has meant that for the last decade serving as director of the theater he must lead “ courageously with this notion of Black liberation and bringing your ancestors with you.”
Throughout history, the National Black Theatre has been a refuge for Black artists by creating a safe space for their creativity, their art, and holding ground for their transformation. As one of the oldest theaters founded and consistently operated by a woman of color in the nation, the core mission has always been to be the premier producer of transformative theatre — theatre that enhances African American cultural identity by telling authentic, autonomous, multifaceted stories of the Black experience. This experience and exchange leads to art’s true intention, which is to heal.
<div id="attachment_29547" style="width: 1090px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-29547" class="size-full wp-image-29547" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/jonathan-embed-twitter.jpg" alt="" width="1080" height="1080" srcset="https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/jonathan-embed-twitter.jpg 1080w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/jonathan-embed-twitter-150x150.jpg 150w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/jonathan-embed-twitter-300x300.jpg 300w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/jonathan-embed-twitter-768x768.jpg 768w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/jonathan-embed-twitter-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/jonathan-embed-twitter-880x880.jpg 880w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/jonathan-embed-twitter-271x271.jpg 271w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/jonathan-embed-twitter-372x372.jpg 372w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/jonathan-embed-twitter-574x574.jpg 574w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/jonathan-embed-twitter-980x980.jpg 980w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px" />Photo by Giancarlo Valentine</div>
<h6>Nurturing Black Artists</h6>
Jonathan’s  own journey to the theater was one that was already full of intentionality, nurturing Black artists and voices. That started with himself. The award winning director, producer, and artist, made a declaration in high school about his career destination. He decided that he wanted to run a Black theater in Harlem that owned their own space dedicated to doing work for Black artists. “When I decided to name myself as a Black artist, that destination was my birthright,” he says“I needed to also establish that birthright for future Black artists. I wanted to be a part of that awakening inside the psyche of the individual.” 
McCrory describes his role as a “creative doula,” one who takes care of artists’, mental, creative, and artistic “wealth.” Jonathan works with a dynamic team of people with the collective mission of ensuring that the creative work of  Black artists, and their voices are well resourced and pulled to the forefront. His vision for the theater embodies welcoming in and investing in the next generation of Black artists and change-makers in theatre.
“Sometimes people don’t see themselves as producers because they think it’s tied to economics,” he says. “How do we see our culture as an economic tool, knowing that we contribute billions into the economic pipeline? How can we reclaim some of that intellectual property, some of that wealth knowledge and start to actually create spaces of ownership, where we actually lead the producer or the producers of that cultural product.” 
“The National Black Theatre’s core mission lies in human transformation,” McCory said.
<h6>Looking Towards The Future</h6>
McCrory and his team are in the middle of revisioning the theater to service Black artistic changemakers now and in the future. Externally they’re undergoing a physical transformation with a capital redevelopment project and are working towards building a brand new cultural destination and facility for the organization. This new phase of the theater will include artist housing with a twenty story high-rise. The reimagining of their facility will include a studio for theatrical works, a temple of liberation where artists will be able to do immersive storytelling using 3D, XR and potentially VR technology. 
“We are seeking to create a cutting edge new facility that leans into the curiosity of Black innovation that allows for Black artists to find ways in which to find economics, to actually be able to update a benefit inside of the work that they’re able to produce,” he says. “To allow for a more diverse poly of voices to be able to change and radically benefit and actually inform the cultural expression that we all love and are working on.”
The organizations offerings include a theater arts program that’s a three prong program to give artists space to be alchemists: Their Soul Series Lab program is one of the only programs in the country dedicated to Black artists; their playwrights residency is the only residency in the country that provides an eighteen month home for Black playwrights; and their producer residency program is generating the next level of cultural producers. 
<div id="attachment_29528" style="width: 1210px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-29528" class="size-full wp-image-29528" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/jonathan-widescreen.jpg" alt="" width="1200" height="628" srcset="https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/jonathan-widescreen.jpg 1200w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/jonathan-widescreen-300x157.jpg 300w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/jonathan-widescreen-768x402.jpg 768w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/jonathan-widescreen-1024x536.jpg 1024w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/jonathan-widescreen-880x461.jpg 880w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/jonathan-widescreen-1180x618.jpg 1180w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" />Photo by Giancarlo Valentine</div>
<h6>Theatre In The Digital World</h6>
McCrory is also stewarding the build out of their digital platform to ensure so the theater can connect with those who may not ever feel comfortable being in physical spaces again due to the pandemic. He cites t<a href="https://national-black-theatre.myshopify.com/collections/all">heir merch line</a>, t<a href="https://www.instagram.com/natblacktheatre/">heir Instagram page</a>, and budding partnerships with national potential as extensions to connect and to be a vessel for new possibilities, a notion that is embedded into his leadership style and approach. Many times you will catch McCrory donning <a href="https://national-black-theatre.myshopify.com/">a shirt</a> or hat with the word “joy” on it. As a personal advocate of artistic expression being the vehicle towards joy and healing, McCrory wants to create conditions with joy as a bedrock. 
<div id="attachment_29529" style="width: 210px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-29529" class="wp-image-29529 size-medium" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Jonathon-McRory_50-scaled-e1669736360168-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="300" srcset="https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Jonathon-McRory_50-scaled-e1669736360168-200x300.jpg 200w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Jonathon-McRory_50-scaled-e1669736360168-768x1152.jpg 768w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Jonathon-McRory_50-scaled-e1669736360168-683x1024.jpg 683w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Jonathon-McRory_50-scaled-e1669736360168-587x880.jpg 587w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Jonathon-McRory_50-scaled-e1669736360168-787x1180.jpg 787w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Jonathon-McRory_50-scaled-e1669736360168.jpg 1707w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px" /> Photo by Giancarlo Valentine </div>
“There should be an acknowledgement that although the pandemic has caused a lot of sadness, a lot of grief, it also created the space for us to innovate how we communicate and how we process the way we live our lives,” he says. McCrory looks toward the future with a generosity that is needed now more than ever. 
“We seek to lean into the curiosity of what does it mean to see someone? What happens if they feel seen? And if they feel seen, what does someone get to become?” he says. “That simple question awakens a radical new universe of possibilities. Then we become the vessels of manifestation, the tools to allow for unseen, unfinished work to be possible seen through our lifetime.”
This radical vision is one that Jonathan and his team still carry on in the present times in the shadow of racial upheaval and the pandemic. They are  modifying their approach to continue to be a refuge for Black art and creativity. 
“To lead with a graceful institute is to actually tap in and tune into the wisdom of our ancestors as a fortitude and a fortress to actually awaken human transformation. It is the gate keeping tool and mechanism to unlock what I think human transformation can look like.” As we learn to count our blessings to heal our way forward during these times, we can rest assured that the National Black Theatre will continue to light the way. 
<hr />
<div id="docs-chrome" class="docs-material companion-enabled" tabindex="0" role="banner" aria-label="Menu bar">
<div id="docs-additional-bars">
<div id="formula-bar-name-box-wrapper" class="name-box-enabled formula-bar-with-name-box-wrapper">
<div id="formula-bar" class="formula-bar formulabar-disabled">
<div id="t-formula-bar-input-container">
<div dir="ltr">
<div id="t-formula-bar-input" spellcheck="false">Melissa Kimble is a cultural writer, strategist, and consultant based in Chicago. A native Memphian, she advocates for Black creativity across creative industries.</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>

A Theater in Harlem Fostering Black Creativity

Blog editor’s note: This #BlackHistoryMonth, 23andMe employees are celebrating joy and resilience in the Black and African diaspora through events,<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CZ2D0Z6JKWe/"> art</a>, and conversations. We’ve also curated a series of guest blogs about people who embody that joy and resilience – and are harnessing these strengths to uplift their communities and create a better future.
By Imani Mixon
Cherice Harrison-Nelson’s hair is wrapped in a black and wine head scarf with a red feather peeking out from the side. The 62-year-old artist and educator has on medium sized hoop earrings, a black, red, and gold beaded necklace and a festive butterfly brooch. 
Even over Zoom, she looks royal. 
Cherice regularly honors her lineage as a Mardi Gras Indian and a member of the maroon society of self-emancipated Black folks by crafting and wearing intricately handmade traditional suits. Her late father, Donald Harrison, Sr. ushered the family into the Mardi Gras Indian tradition as Big Chief of the Guardian of the Flames, a group he formed to emphasize the importance of Mardi Gras traditions that affirm Blackness.  Cherice continues this work as Big Queen of the Guardian of the Flames and is commonly known as Queen Reesie.
In 1994, she was awarded a Fulbright that allowed her to travel to Ghana and Senegal to further research African cultural traditions. Although our mid-afternoon interview features one of the more tame examples of her unique attire, meeting her feels like a joyful occasion.
“As the Guardians of the Flame, maroon society, I feel like we have emancipated ourselves from all the ideals, both literal and metaphorically that restrict us in ways that we don&#8217;t have to accept. I don&#8217;t want to be tethered to anything except the love for my family and my community. I want to have free will, to dress the way I want,” says Cherice .
It’s no surprise that Cherice ’s audacious attire draws attention, but one day back in 2016 it earned her a new friend. 
<div id="attachment_29523" style="width: 1930px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-29523" class="wp-image-29523 size-full" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/TJT_8186.jpg" alt="" width="1920" height="1080" srcset="https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/TJT_8186.jpg 1920w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/TJT_8186-300x169.jpg 300w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/TJT_8186-768x432.jpg 768w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/TJT_8186-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/TJT_8186-880x495.jpg 880w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/TJT_8186-1180x664.jpg 1180w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /> Photo by Trenity Thomas </div>
<h6>Sisterly Love</h6>
She met Skyla Hearn, a Chicago-based archivist and special collections librarian, while attending a <a href="https://chscsummit.net/">Cultural Heritage and Social Change Summit</a>. Harrison-Nelson was preparing to lead an educational performance about the traditions and history of Mardi Gras Indians and she was wearing a purple lace dress and a matching Nigerian gele. Hearn says she knew Queen Reesie was someone special. 
Hearn and Harrisson-Nelson grew to become sisterfriends — the kind you meet for dinner when they’re in town, the kind who can send texts that would be shockingly probing if they came from someone else, but are received as alarmingly sweet text check-ins instead. 
“Are you being radical in your self-care?”
<div id="attachment_29520" style="width: 1930px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-29520" class="wp-image-29520 size-full" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/TJT_8151.jpg" alt="" width="1920" height="1080" srcset="https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/TJT_8151.jpg 1920w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/TJT_8151-300x169.jpg 300w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/TJT_8151-768x432.jpg 768w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/TJT_8151-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/TJT_8151-880x495.jpg 880w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/TJT_8151-1180x664.jpg 1180w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /> Photo by Trenity Thomas </div>
“Do you need help with that?” 
Hearn knows that the warm accountability of friendship is what has kept folks alive for generations. Cherice knows this too; it isn’t the first time that someone lovingly inquired about her health. 
On June 23, 2011, Cherice recalls being at a Winn Dixie grocery store across the Mississippi River from her downtown neighborhood in New Orleans’ 9th Ward when she received a call from her doctor&#8217;s office. 
“I have the results of your test. Do you want them over the phone or do you want to come in?,” asked the nurse on the other end of the line. 
Cherice agreed to hear her results on the phone, but as soon as the nurse began speaking, her words came out in a muffled garble, it sounded like Charlie Brown’s teacher. 
“Wait, let me call my sister and you tell her, whatever you&#8217;re saying, that sounds like gibberish to me,” Cherice  interjected.
Cherice gave the nurse her younger sister Cara’s number, then Cara relayed the conversation she’d had with the nurse. Her older sister was diagnosed with breast cancer. Cara decided to accompany Cherice  to her preoperative appointments, prepared to take notes and ask relevant questions about what to expect like the risks of medication, complications from treatment, and if her sister’s life expectancy would be impacted.
After a series of demeaning and otherwise unresponsive interactions with doctors and nurses, Cherice  found an old-school doctor, Dr. Myron E. Moorehead, the kind who has tabletop anatomical models of reproductive organs. He showed her exactly what he would do  and told her what she needed to do to prepare for an accompanying procedure.
“I knew that he cared about me and I felt I could put my life in his hands and it would be okay. Those other doctors, I don&#8217;t think I would have wanted to put my life in their hands,” says Cherice .
It’s been 11 years since her breast cancer diagnosis and 17 years since Hurricane Katrina, which Cherice  refers to as “the August 25, 2005 federal levee failure.” She has survived two life-changing events that have altered her view on both physical and mental health. She understands just how quickly things can change for the better or the worse. 
“It was so hard being here, so hard working here, healthcare would have been at the bottom of my list. For me, survival didn&#8217;t necessarily include health checkups. Being happy enhances your ability to take care of yourself. When you&#8217;re depressed, you know your whole world is kind of turned upside down,” says Cherice.
<h6>A New Wellness Routine</h6>
What was once an after-thought has become a major priority. Now, she spends the first few minutes of each morning envisioning what she wants for her life. Every day, good health tops her list. From moment to moment, Cherice  has gotten into the rhythm of choosing herself. Sometimes that means parking farther from a store entrance to get a few steps in.  Other times it means buying small batch ice cream from a local vendor and slowly eating small scoops in a fancy bowl with a fancy spoon.
“If you take care of your health, then you can do all the things that enhance your life that we need to do as humans to to survive. It&#8217;s just about loving yourself, and loving yourself the most,”  says Cherice .
One of the most recent, more public acts of radical self-care for Cherice  is acknowledging that she will no longer wear her sacred Carnival suits for performances or appearances or participate in Carnival the way she has in the past. Carnival season starts on January 6th and extends through Mardi Gras Day, which is also known as Carnival Day. This will be her last year strolling around the streets of New Orleans in her Carnival suit on Mardi Gras Day. Starting in 2023, you’ll only be able to catch Cherice  in her Carnival suits for her late father’s birthday celebrations — his birthday falls during Carnival season and marks a time of remembrance for the Harrison family. While it was never just a performative gesture, the creation of her Carnival suits have grown even more intimate and laborious over time. By creating boundaries around how she wants to show up as a Mardi Gras Indian, she is relieving herself of the responsibility of automatically inviting others into a tradition that they may not understand or revere. 
“The [suit] I wear on Carnival Day, it really is spiritual. It&#8217;s like putting on me and I don&#8217;t want to use those in that manner anymore,” says Cherice.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-29545" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Cherice-social-embed-twitter.jpg" alt="" width="1080" height="1080" srcset="https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Cherice-social-embed-twitter.jpg 1080w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Cherice-social-embed-twitter-150x150.jpg 150w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Cherice-social-embed-twitter-300x300.jpg 300w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Cherice-social-embed-twitter-768x768.jpg 768w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Cherice-social-embed-twitter-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Cherice-social-embed-twitter-880x880.jpg 880w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Cherice-social-embed-twitter-271x271.jpg 271w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Cherice-social-embed-twitter-372x372.jpg 372w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Cherice-social-embed-twitter-574x574.jpg 574w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Cherice-social-embed-twitter-980x980.jpg 980w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px" />
Cherice  takes that seriously  — weaving, beading, patching, and feathering to make ceremonial clothing that draws from and oftentimes illustrates the most resonant moments of her life. When the ensemble is as complete as it can be, it becomes an archive of sorts. Her suits are on display at the Donald Harrison, Sr. Museum named after her father that’s just two blocks from her house and on family land. Her suits are also currently on view at The New Orleans African American Museum in Treme, The McKenna Museum of African-American Art, and the Baton Rouge African American Museum.
“It takes a lifetime because everything you put into a suit is the sum total of your life,” says Cherice . 
For this year’s Carnival, she is honoring her ancestors and creating a memorial suit. Cherice  can trace her ancestral line pretty far back. She has a bill of sale regarding her great great grandfather Madison Briscoe, who was born in 1809 and enslaved in 1820 when he was just 11-years-old. Although she can go back for generations, this suit in particular will honor friends, mentors, family members and more recent ancestors. Cherice  has begun collecting and referencing their favorite things &#8211; hobbies, colors, and animals to select the right way to adorn her suit. She will incorporate a horse for her uncle, a butterfly brooch for her mentor, and a lipstick for another friend. 
“He&#8217;ll tell me what I&#8217;m supposed to create for him. The ancestors are really real and they speak to me,” says Cherice .
As Cherice  continues on the path to living life on her own terms, her journey reminds us that the first step to any kind of healing begins with listening.
<hr />
Imani Mixon is a long-form storyteller living in Detroit. You can learn more about her work <a href="https://www.imanimixon.com/">here</a>.

Practicing Radical Self Care with Cherice Harrison-Nelson

Blog editor’s note: This #BlackHistoryMonth, 23andMe employees are celebrating joy and resilience in the Black and African diaspora through events, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CZ2D0Z6JKWe/">art</a>, and conversations. We’ve also curated a series of guest blogs about people who embody that joy and resilience – and are harnessing these strengths to uplift their communities and create a better future. Today, we’re highlighting Nyema Clarks work in building a urban farm to build a community around wellness and connections to the land.
By Gennette Cordova
Tucked away in the Beacon Hill neighborhood of Seattle is <a href="https://www.nurturingrootsfarm.org/">Nurturing Roots</a>, a community farm  founded by  Nyema Clark in 2016 as part of a movement to reclaim her people’s history and relationship with agriculture.
“I feel like, as a Black woman, all I hear about is ‘roots’—that&#8217;s our engagement with agriculture,” says Nyema. “I wanted to find an alternative way to visit, to view, to think about agriculture.”
Growing up in the urban, multicultural community of Seattle’s South End, Nyema’s exposure to different cultures informed her view of the world and food, in particular.
“My neighborhood was very diverse,” she says. And that diversity extended to the kitchen. &#8221; At my kitchen table I was eating just about everything. My friend across the street might be making lumpia; I could get a soul food meal from grandma; or I was able to get authentic chicken soup from my Vietnamese neighbors.”
Nyema grew up in an environment that emphasized  all aspects of “growing.” Her mother, a florist, instilled in her the vital importance of growing professionally, mentally and emotionally. Her father, who was interested in landscaping and carpentry, exposed her to the practice of building with her hands.
&nbsp;

	<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-style-default"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/23ANDME_01_15_2022_0598_2-1024x576.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-29526" srcset="https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/23ANDME_01_15_2022_0598_2-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/23ANDME_01_15_2022_0598_2-300x169.jpg 300w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/23ANDME_01_15_2022_0598_2-768x432.jpg 768w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/23ANDME_01_15_2022_0598_2-880x495.jpg 880w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/23ANDME_01_15_2022_0598_2-1180x664.jpg 1180w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/23ANDME_01_15_2022_0598_2.jpg 1920w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
	
<h6>Addressing Disparities</h6>
“It’s always intrigued me. I always wanted to learn more, (about) Black folks in farming,” says Nyema. “Learning about George Washington Carver, the crazy land swaps and land grabs that happened. Identifying how structurally things are all messed up, I just dove head first into the agricultural side.”
In Seattle, like many cities around the country, health disparities such as higher instances of asthma among Black and Hispanic children can be attributed, in large part, to environmental racism. 
The evidence of racism and income inequality were evident throughout her childhood. “I don&#8217;t want to say it was a typical urban environment, because it was very unique. It was beautiful but also sucked knowing that a lot of my friends had asthma. And now I know why.”
Still, it was this environment that cultivated Nyema’s mind for business. Her entrepreneurial inclinations began with grade-school lemonade stands. That eventually led to the formation of her company, Avenue South, a small specialty seasonings shop at Seattle landmark Pike Place Market. While she enjoyed the exploration of value-added products, she became deeply invested in the idea of feeding her community with no monetary value attached. 
Nurturing Roots was the logical expansion of this investment.  The nonprofit has flourished, tended to by her commitment to “Robin Hood the system.” In this moment, where racial and social justice is under a magnifying glass, Nyema is intentional about addressing systematic oppression with an emphasis on food and environmental justice.
&nbsp;

	<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-style-default"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/23ANDME_01_15_2022_0475-1024x576.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-29525" srcset="https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/23ANDME_01_15_2022_0475-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/23ANDME_01_15_2022_0475-300x169.jpg 300w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/23ANDME_01_15_2022_0475-768x432.jpg 768w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/23ANDME_01_15_2022_0475-880x495.jpg 880w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/23ANDME_01_15_2022_0475-1180x664.jpg 1180w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/23ANDME_01_15_2022_0475.jpg 1920w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
	
<h6>Claiming Her 40 Acres</h6>
“A lot of my trauma was associated with realizing we were brought here in servitude,” she says. For many Black Americans, especially those of us who grew up in cities, we naturally connect Blackness and farm work to the hundreds of years of barbaric, American chattel slavery, that confined our ancestors to coffee, tobacco, cocoa, sugar, and cotton plantations. 
Nyema is resolved to reclaim farming as a means to reconnect with  history and healcommunities. To further this vision, she has turned her focus to land ownership. She recently received funding to purchase the commercial space that currently houses Nurturing Roots, and she’s close to sealing a land transfer deal with the Seattle Parks Department to obtain 38 acres called Red Barn Ranch in a suburb of Seattle. 
“My plan for Red Barn Ranch is to create a self-sustaining ecosystem that includes Black farmers, Black healers and young people,” she says. “I wanted to be able to start a fire under the city’s ass to get them moving.” adding “You guys have land and you&#8217;re not doing anything with it? We&#8217;re paying taxes on it and the community could use it? What are you doing?” 
For Black Americans, there’s a symbolism in coming into possession of nearly 40 acres—the amount of land, along with a mule, famously promised and then denied to former slaves. 
“That&#8217;s why I tell everybody it’s all of ours,” she says. “We all are about to get our 40 acres finally.”
In acquiring this space, she aims to attain financial security, freedom to carry out her purpose and conjure a spiritual remedy for a time when our ancestors could own nothing, not even themselves. 
“Personally, I&#8217;ve seen a lot of land taken from not only our community but my family. We had a house in the [city’s historically Black] Central District, it was foreclosed,” says Nyema, touching on a shared experience for many Black people in Seattle. 
“My model encompasses everyone being able to own a piece of land even though this document says Nurturing Roots on it,” she says. “We don’t have individual plots at Nurturing Roots. Someone asked me before, ‘can I come and grow my garlic there?’ And it&#8217;s like, ‘yeah, but it&#8217;s gonna be amongst all the other garlic and then anybody who comes can pick it. Are you okay with that?’” 
&nbsp;

	<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-style-default"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/23ANDME_01_15_2022_0357-1024x576.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-29524" srcset="https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/23ANDME_01_15_2022_0357-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/23ANDME_01_15_2022_0357-300x169.jpg 300w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/23ANDME_01_15_2022_0357-768x432.jpg 768w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/23ANDME_01_15_2022_0357-880x495.jpg 880w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/23ANDME_01_15_2022_0357-1180x664.jpg 1180w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/23ANDME_01_15_2022_0357.jpg 1920w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
	
<h6>Physical, Mental and Spiritual Wellness</h6>
Community is prioritized at Nurturing Roots, along with self-sufficiency and food empowerment. In South Seattle, the area’s lower income and higher unemployment predictably correlates with the sparseness of grocery stores, compared to other parts of the city. Beyond providing a much needed additional source for fresh produce, addressing a wide range of health issues from the expansion of access to nutrition-based education and fitness training to more ambitious goals like “taking control of our own sovereignty when it comes to healthcare” are on Nyema’s agenda.
<div id="attachment_29527" style="width: 250px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-29527" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/23ANDME_01_15_2022_0607-240x300.jpg" alt="" width="240" height="300" class="size-medium wp-image-29527" srcset="https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/23ANDME_01_15_2022_0607-240x300.jpg 240w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/23ANDME_01_15_2022_0607-768x960.jpg 768w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/23ANDME_01_15_2022_0607-819x1024.jpg 819w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/23ANDME_01_15_2022_0607-704x880.jpg 704w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/23ANDME_01_15_2022_0607-944x1180.jpg 944w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/23ANDME_01_15_2022_0607.jpg 1080w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 240px) 100vw, 240px" /> Photo by Meron Menghistab </div>
Understanding how isolating many corporate spaces can be for Black workers, she sees Nurturing Roots as an opportunity to give her loved ones an alternative to more traditional working environments. So far, she’s been able to staff her operation entirely with people who are dear to her, some who she’s enjoyed decades-long friendships with. Nyema envisions a communal system with currency based on bartering, exchanging labor on the farm or some other offering, with the hope that the community she creates can detach their sense of self-worth from a dollar amount. 
With Nurturing Roots, she is intentional about centering healing and health, not just through nourishment of the body but nourishing the mind and spirit, as well. After years of feeling constantly undervalued in professional settings, with her farming project she felt her identity—as a Black person, a woman, a South Seattle native—being celebrated in a way that she’d never experienced before.
“Spiritually, it&#8217;s like I&#8217;ve been restored doing this work—almost like a baptism,” she continues, moved to tears. “Now, I couldn&#8217;t go back and work for someone if I wanted to. I needed to value myself. I needed to explore being a strong woman and have it not look like something else. It was tough to find in these artificial spaces.”
With the region boasting a wide range of agricultural products and a growing emphasis on sustainability, Nyema hopes her work will plant seeds in the minds and imaginations of her peers and younger people in the city. 
“People need to see us doing it,” she says “People need to be able to see themselves engaging in this practice.”
<hr />
Gennette Cordova is a writer and organizer currently based in Brooklyn. Originally from Seattle, she has written many times about the struggles and successes of Black women.

Growing Community through Community Farming

For decades severe morning sickness was misunderstood. Many believed it was simply a normal part of the hormonal shifts during pregnancy. But those who experience it know it is anything but normal. The relentless nausea, dehydration, and in some cases, hospitalization is well beyond the typical morning sickness experienced during most pregnancies.



This mismatch led to stigma, a frustrating lack of medical support, and a lack of research into causes and treatments.&nbsp;



23andMe&#8217;s research platform is helping to change this. A 2018 <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/researchers-find-genetic-associations-for-morning-sickness" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">research collaboration</a> helped uncover some of the genetics behind severe morning sickness. Now we are going beyond that initial research to deliver personalized insights through the new Severe Morning Sickness* report. This new report lets female 23andMe+ Premium™ and Total Health™ members know if their genetics puts them at an increased likelihood of experiencing severe morning sickness during pregnancy, so they can plan ahead and seek support for symptoms early.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-role-of-dna">The role of DNA</h2>



In 2018, researchers at 23andMe <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/researchers-find-genetic-associations-for-morning-sickness" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">collaborated</a> on the first large-scale genetic study on the most severe form of morning sickness known as hyperemesis gravidarum (HG). That study found genetic variants in two genes—GDF15 and IGFBP7—were associated with HG.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="306" height="126" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Group-125613.png" alt="" class="wp-image-33905" srcset="https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Group-125613.png 306w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Group-125613-300x124.png 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 306px) 100vw, 306px" /></figure>



Now, thanks to the data from more than half a million consented 23andMe research participants, we generated a polygenic risk score (PRS) that takes into account the impact of thousands of genetic variants (along with genetic ancestry) to predict the likelihood of experiencing severe morning sickness during pregnancy.&nbsp;



If you&#8217;re interested in learning more about the methodology behind 23andMe’s PRS technology, there is a published <a href="https://permalinks.23andme.com/pdf/23_25-PRSMethodology.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">white paper</a> that fully details the science.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-about-severe-morning-sickness">More About Severe Morning Sickness</h2>



Unlike typical morning sickness—which is common and usually improves after the first three months—severe morning sickness can persist throughout pregnancy; this can lead to dehydration, weight loss, and nutritional deficiencies, which may impact the health of the pregnant person and growth of the baby if left untreated. In addition to genetics, other factors, such as a personal or family history of severe morning sickness, being prone to motion sickness, or having migraines, can increase the chances of experiencing severe morning sickness.



While there is no sure way to prevent morning sickness, certain lifestyle habits, such as adjusting your diet, getting plenty of rest, and staying hydrated, may help manage or reduce the severity of symptoms. In very severe cases, a hospital stay can help restore hydration and nutrition. Knowing about the chances of experiencing severe morning sickness may help pregnant people plan for ways to manage symptoms or get prompt medical attention, if needed.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-learn-more">Learn more</h2>



Eligible 23andMe members can view this report with their other Wellness reports.



Not a 23andMe+ Premium member yet? Learn more about what 23andMe has to offer <a href="https://www.23andme.com/membership/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>.



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



NOTE: Within this blog post, we use the word “female” to refer to people whose birth sex is female. However, we recognize that being categorized by birth sex may be an uncomfortable experience for some people, and we do not mean to delegitimize anyone’s gender identity. Learn more about why we made this decision in this <a href="https://customercare.23andme.com/hc/en-us/articles/360010964373-How-23andMe-Uses-Your-Genetic-Sex-Birth-Sex-and-Gender" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">help article</a>.



* The 23andMe Severe Morning Sickness PRS report is based on a genetic model that includes data and insights from 23andMe consented research participants and incorporates more than 4,000 genetic variants to provide information on the likelihood of developing severe morning sickness. The report does not describe a person’s overall likelihood, does not account for lifestyle or family history and has not been reviewed by the US Food and Drug Administration. The Severe Morning Sickness PRS report is not intended to tell you anything about your current state of health, or to be used to make medical decisions or determine any treatment.

From Genetic Discovery to Personalized Insight: New Report on Severe Morning Sickness

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

<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/1080x1080-Motion-Sickness-1024x1024.png" alt="" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-26858" width="1024" height="1024" srcset="https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/1080x1080-Motion-Sickness-1024x1024.png 1024w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/1080x1080-Motion-Sickness-150x150.png 150w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/1080x1080-Motion-Sickness-300x300.png 300w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/1080x1080-Motion-Sickness-768x768.png 768w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/1080x1080-Motion-Sickness-880x880.png 880w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/1080x1080-Motion-Sickness-271x271.png 271w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/1080x1080-Motion-Sickness-372x372.png 372w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/1080x1080-Motion-Sickness-574x574.png 574w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/1080x1080-Motion-Sickness-980x980.png 980w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/1080x1080-Motion-Sickness.png 1080w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />
The sensation comes, in part, from one’s body trying to maintain balance. To keep our balance, we all rely on signals from multiple sources, both visual and physical, as well as signals from the vestibular system in our inner ear. When those sensory signals conflict — say our vision tells us we are sitting still, but we can feel ourselves moving in a car or on a boat — it can trigger feelings of nausea or dizziness. A person’s genetics may make them more or less susceptible to feeling motion sickness.
While seemingly trivial, it’s not for those who experience severe cases. And motion sickness has been found to be associated with several other more serious conditions. 23andMe previously published a<a href="https://academic.oup.com/hmg/article/24/9/2700/2385879"> study</a> that confirmed associations with such conditions as migraines, vertigo, and morning sickness.
This report, as well as the now more than two-dozen<a href="https://www.23andme.com/dna-health-ancestry/#toc-traits"> other trait reports</a> we offer within the <a href="https://www.23andme.com/dna-health-ancestry/"> Health + Ancestry</a> Service, are meant to give customers a bit more insight into the fascinating world of genetics. They also add to the understanding of how your DNA and environment interact to help influence all the many things that are part of who you are.

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

Researchers have found genetic associations for morning sickness, offering important insight into what — in the most severe cases — is the second leading cause of hospitalization among women during pregnancy.<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-26094" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/morning-sickness-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" srcset="https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/morning-sickness-300x200.jpg 300w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/morning-sickness-768x512.jpg 768w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/morning-sickness-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/morning-sickness-880x586.jpg 880w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/morning-sickness-1180x786.jpg 1180w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/morning-sickness.jpg 1255w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />
<h2>Potentially Serious</h2>
Although morning sickness is very common — up to 90 percent of women have some form of nausea or vomiting during pregnancy — its causes remain elusive. Up to 2 percent of pregnant women endure the most severe form of morning sickness, called hyperemesis gravidarum or HG.
HG can be so severe and intractable that women begin losing weight, become dehydrated, and ultimately must be hospitalized. In those cases, the condition can also be problematic for the baby.
Before the advent of intravenous hydration in the 1950s, HG was the leading cause of death during pregnancy — for example, it led to the death of author Charlotte Bronte. More recently Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge, was <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/brucelee/2017/09/04/kate-middleton-is-pregnant-and-suffering-hyperemesis-gravidarum-again/#3c00e632b50c">hospitalized</a> after suffering from HG during both of her pregnancies. Even now, it is the second leading cause of hospitalization for pregnant women, behind preterm labor. And yet, despite years of study, researchers haven’t pinpointed a cause or even a safe and effective treatment for this severe form of morning sickness.
<h2>New Study</h2>
However, a new study published in <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-018-03258-0">Nature Communications</a> offers promising clues on the causes of morning sickness. Researchers from UCLA, USC, and 23andMe found the strongest genetic associations in the genes GDF15 and IGFBP7. GDF15 plays a role in the development of the placenta, and low expression of GDF15 is associated with miscarriages. The gene IGFBP7 controls appetite.  The study also looked at less severe cases of morning sickness and found that these same genes are also associated with nausea and vomiting in pregnant women.

Researchers said that the variants in GDF15 associated with the condition were over 1000-fold more significant than the variants in the gene with the next closest association.
<h2>Some Surprises</h2>
The findings are surprising, in part, because up until now, much of the focus of research around HG has been on hormonal fluctuations in the body. This study found no evidence for that link and instead suggests that the expression of the gene involved in placenta formation may play more of a role.
“It has long been assumed that the pregnancy hormones, human chorionic gonadotropin or estrogen, were the likely culprits of extreme nausea and vomiting, but our study found no evidence to support this,” <a href="http://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/two-genes-likely-play-key-role-in-extreme-nausea-and-vomiting-during-pregnancy">said Marlena Fejzo</a>, the lead author of the study and an associate researcher at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.  Fejzo herself had hyperemesis gravidarum and lost a pregnancy to the condition in 1999.
The two genes identified in the study are also linked to cachexia, a weight loss and muscle wasting condition that leads to death in about 20 percent of cancer patients and has similar symptoms to hyperemesis gravidarum.
<h2>Theories</h2>
As for why the expression of GDF15 is implicated in morning sickness, the authors theorize that perhaps the protein triggers vomiting during the early stages of pregnancy so women aren’t tempted to eat anything that might hurt the developing fetus.
For this study researchers conducted their work in two stages. The first used about 1,300 women with the most severe form of morning sickness and another 15,700 who did not have the condition. All the women were 23andMe customers who consented to participate in research. The second stage looked at data from more than 50,000 women — also 23andMe customers who consented to participate in research — across a range of symptoms from no nausea to slight to very severe. Again, the researchers found the strongest signal in the genes GDF15 and IGFBP7.
The study also provides the first evidence that HG, the most severe form of morning sickness, is not a separate disease, but more of an end of the spectrum for nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, as they are all influenced by the same genes.

Researchers find genetic associations for morning sickness

We’re feeling a little dizzy trying to keep track of all the coverage 23andMe’s new study on motion sickness received or it might just be this infographic.


The<a href="http://hmg.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2015/01/26/hmg.ddv028.abstract?keytype=ref&#038;ijkey=2ntxck5YUKc8QSA"> paper</a>, which came out in late January, was the first ever genome-wide association study of the very common condition.
We want to share with you some of the better stories, including coverage in<a href="https://www.fastcompany.com/3042008/feeling-woozy-23andme-releases-first-ever-genome-wide-study-of-motion-sickness"> Fast Company</a>, the<a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2015/02/the-mysterious-science-of-motion-sickness/385469/"> Atlantic</a> and<a href="https://time.com/3695231/23andme-motion-sickness/"> Time</a>. We also wanted to share some of the findings in the study using this fun infographic.
In the study, 23andMe researchers found 35 genetic variants that were significantly associated with motion sickness. Some of those variants, which were identified for the first time, are in or near genes involved in the development of the eye and ear, while other variants appear to be involved in neurological processes and the regulation of glucose and insulin.
The work also confirmed previously known phenotypic associations between motion sickness and other conditions such as migraines, vertigo, and morning sickness as well as postoperative nausea and vomiting.


Note: this post has been altered from the original; the accompanying  graphic has been removed, along with select text.

morning sickness

Stay in the know.