{"cache":{"posts_f30bc_4b1fb":{"__typename":"RootQueryToPostConnection","nodes":[{"__typename":"Post","id":"cG9zdDoyMTg2Ng==","databaseId":21866,"featuredImage":null,"author":null,"date":"2014-11-05T10:41:01","uri":"/articles/the-traveling-genome","title_b28e9_bf21a":"The Traveling Genome","slug":"the-traveling-genome","categories_3cd3e_bf21a":{"__typename":"PostToCategoryConnection","edges":[{"__typename":"PostToCategoryConnectionEdge","node":{"__typename":"Category","id":"dGVybTo5","slug":"news","name":"News","uri":"/category/news","seo":{"__typename":"TaxonomySEO","title":"Research Archives - 23andMe Blog","opengraphTitle":"Research Archives","metaDesc":"23andMe research unique research model combines genetic and phenotypic information in what is among the largest databases of its kind.","opengraphDescription":"23andMe research unique research model combines genetic and phenotypic information in what is among the largest databases of its kind.","fullHead":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\n"}}}]},"imageOptions":{"__typename":"Post_Imageoptions","featuredImageSquare":{"__typename":"MediaItem","id":"cG9zdDoxODQ0OA==","mediaDetails":{"__typename":"MediaDetails","sizes_cad4b_bf21a":[{"__typename":"MediaSize","name":"thumbnail","sourceUrl":"https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/unlocking-the-code-logo-150x150.jpg"},{"__typename":"MediaSize","name":"medium","sourceUrl":"https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/unlocking-the-code-logo-300x248.jpg"},{"__typename":"MediaSize","name":"square_sm","sourceUrl":"https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/unlocking-the-code-logo-271x270.jpg"},{"__typename":"MediaSize","name":"wide_sm","sourceUrl":"https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/unlocking-the-code-logo-271x149.jpg"},{"__typename":"MediaSize","name":"wide_md","sourceUrl":"https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/unlocking-the-code-logo-326x204.jpg"}],"height":270,"width":326},"mediaItemUrl":"https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/unlocking-the-code-logo.jpg","sourceUrl_772ce_bf21a":"https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/unlocking-the-code-logo.jpg"},"singleTemplateFeaturedImage":null},"content_b28e9_bf21a":"

Last year, on the sixtieth anniversary of Crick and Watson’s discovery of the double helix structure of DNA, the Smithsonian opened an exhibit at the $\"unlocking$ National Museum of Natural History called Genome: Unlocking Life’s Code.

The popular exhibit is now hitting the road, showing first in San Diego, at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center through January 4th 2015 and then moving on to other cities across the United States and Canada for the next four years.

The exhibit has already attracted more than three million people with its use of interactive technology and more traditional methods of storytelling to educate people about how genetic science is transforming everything from medicine to our understanding of human evolution.

“Over the past year, I have enjoyed speaking with children and adults from far and wide at the exhibition, and during the educational workshops, public lectures and celebrations in Washington,” said Eric D. Green, the director of the National Human Genome Research Institute. “Now it is time for the $\"Unlocking$
\nexhibition to travel so that others in North America can see it.”

Officials from the National Human Genome Research Institute, which is part of the Health and Human Services agency, worked with curators from the Smithsonian to put together the exhibit. They were helped by contributions from others, including private businesses like 23andMe. The exhibit traces the rapid advancement in the science of genetics, exploring how those discoveries have contributed to our understanding of the causes and treatment of disease as well as more insight into the human story and how our ancestors migrated out of Africa and populated the world.

After its stint in San Diego, the exhibit will travel to San Jose; St Louis; Portland; Milwaukee; Wichita; Peoria; and Sudbury, Ontario.

To see if the traveling exhibit is coming your way see the schedule here.

\n","seo":{"__typename":"PostTypeSEO","title":"The Traveling Genome - 23andMe Blog","opengraphTitle":"The Traveling Genome","metaDesc":"","opengraphDescription":"Last year, on the sixtieth anniversary of Crick and Watson’s discovery of the double helix structure of DNA, the Smithsonian opened an exhibit at the National Museum of Natural History called Genome: Unlocking Life’s Code. The popular exhibit is now hitting the road, showing first in San Diego, at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center […]","fullHead":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n"},"tags_67cce_bf21a":{"__typename":"PostToTagConnection","edges":[{"__typename":"PostToTagConnectionEdge","node":{"__typename":"Tag","id":"dGVybToyMDEz","uri":"/tag/exhibit","name":"Exhibit","seo":{"__typename":"TaxonomySEO","title":"Exhibit Archives - 23andMe Blog","opengraphTitle":"Exhibit Archives","metaDesc":"","opengraphDescription":"","fullHead":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\n"}}},{"__typename":"PostToTagConnectionEdge","node":{"__typename":"Tag","id":"dGVybToyMjIx","name":"genetic literacy","uri":"/tag/genetic-literacy","seo":{"__typename":"TaxonomySEO","title":"genetic literacy Archives - 23andMe Blog","opengraphTitle":"genetic literacy Archives","metaDesc":"","opengraphDescription":"","fullHead":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\n"}}},{"__typename":"PostToTagConnectionEdge","node":{"__typename":"Tag","id":"dGVybToyMDEy","name":"Smithsonian","uri":"/tag/smithsonian","seo":{"__typename":"TaxonomySEO","title":"Smithsonian Archives - 23andMe Blog","opengraphTitle":"Smithsonian Archives","metaDesc":"","opengraphDescription":"","fullHead":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\n"}}}]}},{"__typename":"Post","id":"cG9zdDoyMDg0Nw==","databaseId":20847,"featuredImage":null,"author":null,"date":"2014-04-25T11:00:09","uri":"/articles/animated-genome-film-unveiled-by-the-smithsonian","title_b28e9_bf21a":"Animated Genome Film Unveiled By The Smithsonian","slug":"animated-genome-film-unveiled-by-the-smithsonian","categories_3cd3e_bf21a":{"__typename":"PostToCategoryConnection","edges":[{"__typename":"PostToCategoryConnectionEdge","node":{"__typename":"Category","id":"dGVybTo5","slug":"news","name":"News","uri":"/category/news","seo":{"__typename":"TaxonomySEO","title":"Health + Traits Archives - 23andMe Blog","opengraphTitle":"Health + Traits Archives","metaDesc":"23andMe's Health + Ancestry Service gives you personalized genetic insights and tools that can help make it easier for you to take action on your health.","opengraphDescription":"23andMe's Health + Ancestry Service gives you personalized genetic insights and tools that can help make it easier for you to take action on your health.","fullHead":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}}}]},"imageOptions":{"__typename":"Post_Imageoptions","featuredImageSquare":{"__typename":"MediaItem","id":"cG9zdDoyMDg0OA==","mediaDetails":{"__typename":"MediaDetails","sizes_cad4b_bf21a":[{"__typename":"MediaSize","name":"thumbnail"}],"height":137,"width":218},"mediaItemUrl":"https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Annimated-Genome-Exhibit.jpg","sourceUrl_772ce_bf21a":"https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Annimated-Genome-Exhibit.jpg"},"singleTemplateFeaturedImage":null},"content_b28e9_bf21a":"

23andMe is a big fan of the exhibit $\"Annimated$

\n
Today, on DNA Day, the museum is unveiling The Animated Genome on the “Genome: Unlocking Life’s Code” website (unlockinglifescode.org). The five-minute feature is meant to both inspire and educate, and adds to the long list of great educational resources that are part of the exhibit.
\n
More than 1.6 million people have already seen the exhibit itself since it open last June. Genome: Unlocking Life’s Code also included contributions of other private foundations and companies including 23andMe. Even a few 23andMe customers shared their own stories about DNA testing for use in the exhibit.
\n","seo":{"__typename":"PostTypeSEO","title":"Animated Genome Film Unveiled By The Smithsonian - 23andMe Blog","opengraphTitle":"Animated Genome Film Unveiled By The Smithsonian","metaDesc":"","opengraphDescription":"23andMe is a big fan of the exhibit Today, on DNA Day, the museum is unveiling The Animated Genome on the “Genome: Unlocking Life’s Code” website (unlockinglifescode.org). The five-minute feature is meant to both inspire and educate, and adds to the long list of great educational resources that are part of the exhibit. More than […]","fullHead":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n"},"tags_67cce_bf21a":{"__typename":"PostToTagConnection","edges":[{"__typename":"PostToTagConnectionEdge","node":{"__typename":"Tag","id":"dGVybTozOQ==","name":"genome","uri":"/tag/genome","seo":{"__typename":"TaxonomySEO","title":"genome Archives - 23andMe Blog","opengraphTitle":"genome Archives","metaDesc":"","opengraphDescription":"","fullHead":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\n"}}},{"__typename":"PostToTagConnectionEdge","node":{"__typename":"Tag","id":"dGVybToyMDEy","name":"Smithsonian","uri":"/tag/smithsonian","seo":{"__typename":"TaxonomySEO","title":"Smithsonian Archives - 23andMe Blog","opengraphTitle":"Smithsonian Archives","metaDesc":"","opengraphDescription":"","fullHead":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\n"}}}]}},{"__typename":"Post","id":"cG9zdDoyMDAzNg==","databaseId":20036,"featuredImage":null,"author":null,"date":"2013-12-20T06:00:38","uri":"/articles/23andmes-science-book-for-kids","title_b28e9_bf21a":"23andMe’s Science Book For Kids","slug":"23andmes-science-book-for-kids","imageOptions":{"__typename":"Post_Imageoptions","featuredImageSquare":{"__typename":"MediaItem","id":"cG9zdDoyMDExMQ==","mediaDetails":{"__typename":"MediaDetails","sizes_cad4b_bf21a":[{"__typename":"MediaSize","sourceUrl":"https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/you-share-genes-with-me-150x150.jpg","name":"thumbnail"},{"__typename":"MediaSize","sourceUrl":"https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/you-share-genes-with-me-222x149.jpg","name":"wide_sm"},{"__typename":"MediaSize","sourceUrl":"https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/you-share-genes-with-me-222x204.jpg","name":"wide_md"}],"height":221,"width":222},"mediaItemUrl":"https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/you-share-genes-with-me.jpg","sourceUrl_772ce_bf21a":"https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/you-share-genes-with-me.jpg"},"singleTemplateFeaturedImage":"default"},"categories_3cd3e_bf21a":{"__typename":"PostToCategoryConnection","edges":[{"__typename":"PostToCategoryConnectionEdge","node":{"__typename":"Category","id":"dGVybToxMzQ0","slug":"23andme-research","name":"Research","uri":"/category/23andme-research","seo":{"__typename":"TaxonomySEO","title":"Research Archives - 23andMe Blog","opengraphTitle":"Research Archives","metaDesc":"23andMe research unique research model combines genetic and phenotypic information in what is among the largest databases of its kind.","opengraphDescription":"23andMe research unique research model combines genetic and phenotypic information in what is among the largest databases of its kind.","fullHead":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\n"}}}]},"content_b28e9_bf21a":"
In the New Year, 23andMe will give out a gift for kids and promote literacy at the same time. We deliver 500 copies of our illustrated board book You Share Genes With Me to $\"you-share-genes-with-me\"$
\n
Books for Kids
\n
Books for Kids is a non-profit organization based in New York City. Its mission is to promote literacy among children. They focus a lot on low-income and at-risk preschool-aged children. Books for Kids creates libraries, donates books, and implements literacy programs to develop the critical early foundation and skills young children need to succeed. The organization focuses, in particular, on low-income preschool-aged children who live in homes where there are fewer than five books. The foundation wants to ensure those families have books to engage, entertain, and educate children.
\n
The organization focuses, in particular, on low-income preschool-aged children who live in homes with fewer than five books. The foundation wants to ensure that those families have books that can engage, entertain, and educate children.
\n
You Share Genes with Me
\n
23andMe wants that, too, and the foundation’s commitment aligns with our broader education mission.
\n
“It’s always been our mission to improve genetic literacy for everyone regardless of age,” said Esther Kim, Pharm. D., who heads up 23andMe’s education efforts.
\n
In addition to the gift to Books for Kids, 23andMe also offers free books to the first 500 elementary school teachers who register. Each teacher will get two copies of the book for their classrooms. We hope the book will help bring a greater diversity of learning levels into our academic program, which has historically focused more on high school, undergrad, and medical school programs.
\n
$\"\"$
A look inside the book You Share Genes With Me.
\n
“We are excited to reach out to communities we typically don’t have access to through our normal distribution channels,” said Esther. “ We hope this book can plant in children’s minds a seed of curiosity for genetics and science and help them to realize how genes connect us to all living things.”
\n
Genetics 101
\n
We’ve done that with our Genetics 101 series, our work with several educational institutions, and our partnership with Udacity to produce an online genetics class. We were also involved in helping put together a genetics exhibit with the Smithsonian earlier this year. The children’s book, a sweet picture book showing kids how much DNA they share with other living things, came together, partly from all that work.
\n
The book, illustrated by Arianna Killoran, offers a whimsical look at genetics. It’s meant to provide kids with an introduction to science by emphasizing how much DNA we share with other species and each other. Humans are about 99.5 percent similar genetically, but that little difference makes us all unique. The book discusses how humans share DNA with other species, like zebrafish, mice, and chimpanzees. While the book is not currently available for sale online, it can be purchased at the gift shops of the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C., and at The Exploratorium in San Francisco.
\n","seo":{"__typename":"PostTypeSEO","title":"23andMe's Science Book For Kids - 23andMe Blog","opengraphTitle":"23andMe's Science Book For Kids","metaDesc":"Discover the gift from 23andMe that promotes literacy among kids: You Share Genes With Me, an illustrated board book delivered to Books for Kids.","opengraphDescription":"Discover the gift from 23andMe that promotes literacy among kids: You Share Genes With Me, an illustrated board book delivered to Books for Kids.","fullHead":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n"},"tags_67cce_bf21a":{"__typename":"PostToTagConnection","edges":[{"__typename":"PostToTagConnectionEdge","node":{"__typename":"Tag","id":"dGVybToyMTY1","name":"academic program","uri":"/tag/academic-program","seo":{"__typename":"TaxonomySEO","title":"academic program Archives - 23andMe Blog","opengraphTitle":"academic program Archives","metaDesc":"","opengraphDescription":"23andMe academic program supports genetics education with lesson plans, study guides and on-site events. Aministered through the 23andMe Education Program, these efforts support educators with programs and resources to improve genetic literacy.","fullHead":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\n"}}},{"__typename":"PostToTagConnectionEdge","node":{"__typename":"Tag","id":"dGVybToyMDEy","name":"Smithsonian","uri":"/tag/smithsonian","seo":{"__typename":"TaxonomySEO","title":"Smithsonian Archives - 23andMe Blog","opengraphTitle":"Smithsonian Archives","metaDesc":"","opengraphDescription":"","fullHead":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\n"}}},{"__typename":"PostToTagConnectionEdge","node":{"__typename":"Tag","id":"dGVybToyMDk3","uri":"/tag/udacity","name":"udacity","seo":{"__typename":"TaxonomySEO","title":"udacity Archives - 23andMe Blog","opengraphTitle":"udacity Archives","metaDesc":"","opengraphDescription":"","fullHead":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\n"}}}]}},{"__typename":"Post","id":"cG9zdDoxOTIxNw==","databaseId":19217,"featuredImage":null,"author":null,"date":"2013-09-02T17:06:49","uri":"/articles/smithsonian-exhibit-in-the-news","title_b28e9_bf21a":"Smithsonian Exhibit In The News","slug":"smithsonian-exhibit-in-the-news","categories_3cd3e_bf21a":{"__typename":"PostToCategoryConnection","edges":[{"__typename":"PostToCategoryConnectionEdge","node":{"__typename":"Category","id":"dGVybTo5","slug":"news","name":"News","uri":"/category/news","seo":{"__typename":"TaxonomySEO","title":"Research Archives - 23andMe Blog","opengraphTitle":"Research Archives","metaDesc":"23andMe research unique research model combines genetic and phenotypic information in what is among the largest databases of its kind.","opengraphDescription":"23andMe research unique research model combines genetic and phenotypic information in what is among the largest databases of its kind.","fullHead":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\n"}}}]},"imageOptions":{"__typename":"Post_Imageoptions","featuredImageSquare":{"__typename":"MediaItem","id":"cG9zdDo2NTg2","mediaDetails":{"__typename":"MediaDetails","sizes_cad4b_bf21a":[{"__typename":"MediaSize","name":"thumbnail","sourceUrl":"https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/23andMe_Logo_blog-150x150.jpg"},{"__typename":"MediaSize","name":"medium","sourceUrl":"https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/23andMe_Logo_blog-300x300.jpg"},{"__typename":"MediaSize","name":"square_sm","sourceUrl":"https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/23andMe_Logo_blog-271x271.jpg"},{"__typename":"MediaSize","name":"wide_sm","sourceUrl":"https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/23andMe_Logo_blog-271x149.jpg"},{"__typename":"MediaSize","name":"wide_md","sourceUrl":"https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/23andMe_Logo_blog-350x204.jpg"},{"__typename":"MediaSize","name":"wide_lg","sourceUrl":"https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/23andMe_Logo_blog-350x315.jpg"}],"height":349,"width":350},"mediaItemUrl":"https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/23andMe_Logo_blog.jpg","sourceUrl_772ce_bf21a":"https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/23andMe_Logo_blog.jpg"},"singleTemplateFeaturedImage":"default"},"content_b28e9_bf21a":"
Back in June we told you about an awesome new exhibit at the Smithsonian “Genome: Unlocking Life’s Code.” Maybe you didn’t want to take our word on it, but how about The New York Times.
\n
Last week the paper of record had a nice overview of the exhibit, which goes a long way to up visitors genetic literacy and gives them a quick overview of how the genetic revolution continues to change our lives our health and our understanding of the human story. $\"\"$
\n
“(T)he cumulative effect is to inspire amazement about how much has happened in the last decade, how matter of factly we now seem to take it, and how much more is yet to come,” the writer Edward Rothstein said in the article.
\n
As we mentioned back in June, the exhibit is presented in collaboration with the National Human Genome Research Institute. It also includes the contributions of other private foundations and companies including 23andMe. Included in the exhibit is collection of stories from 23andMe customers, who shared their experience of using DNA testing to learn more about themselves, their health and their ancestry.
\n
“I’m pleased as punch,” said Neil Schwartzman, who found his biological sister, mother, father and half brother using 23andMe. “I just wish my adoptive parents were alive so that they could come and see it.”
\n
Neil’s story –as well as the stories of eight other 23andMe customers – is included in a portion of the exhibit that looks at how individuals have used DNA to discover something new about their health or their ancestry. And what those discoveries have meant to their sense of self and their place in the world.
\n
Check out the Times article and the exhibit if you get a chance.
\n","seo":{"__typename":"PostTypeSEO","title":"Smithsonian Exhibit In The News - 23andMe Blog","opengraphTitle":"Smithsonian Exhibit In The News","metaDesc":"More on the Smithsonian exhibit, Genome: Unlocking Life's Code.","opengraphDescription":"More on the Smithsonian exhibit, Genome: Unlocking Life's Code.","fullHead":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n"},"tags_67cce_bf21a":{"__typename":"PostToTagConnection","edges":[{"__typename":"PostToTagConnectionEdge","node":{"__typename":"Tag","id":"dGVybToyMDEz","uri":"/tag/exhibit","name":"Exhibit","seo":{"__typename":"TaxonomySEO","title":"Exhibit Archives - 23andMe Blog","opengraphTitle":"Exhibit Archives","metaDesc":"","opengraphDescription":"","fullHead":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\n"}}},{"__typename":"PostToTagConnectionEdge","node":{"__typename":"Tag","id":"dGVybTozOQ==","name":"genome","uri":"/tag/genome","seo":{"__typename":"TaxonomySEO","title":"genome Archives - 23andMe Blog","opengraphTitle":"genome Archives","metaDesc":"","opengraphDescription":"","fullHead":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\n"}}},{"__typename":"PostToTagConnectionEdge","node":{"__typename":"Tag","id":"dGVybToxMTE3","name":"NIH","uri":"/tag/nih","seo":{"__typename":"TaxonomySEO","title":"NIH Archives - 23andMe Blog","opengraphTitle":"NIH Archives","metaDesc":"","opengraphDescription":"","fullHead":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\n"}}},{"__typename":"PostToTagConnectionEdge","node":{"__typename":"Tag","id":"dGVybToyMDEy","name":"Smithsonian","uri":"/tag/smithsonian","seo":{"__typename":"TaxonomySEO","title":"Smithsonian Archives - 23andMe Blog","opengraphTitle":"Smithsonian Archives","metaDesc":"","opengraphDescription":"","fullHead":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\n"}}}]}},{"__typename":"Post","id":"cG9zdDoxODQ0Nw==","databaseId":18447,"featuredImage":null,"author":null,"date":"2013-06-13T09:25:25","uri":"/articles/the-smithsonian-opens-new-genetics-exhibit","title_b28e9_bf21a":"The Smithsonian Opens New Genetics Exhibit","slug":"the-smithsonian-opens-new-genetics-exhibit","categories_3cd3e_bf21a":{"__typename":"PostToCategoryConnection","edges":[{"__typename":"PostToCategoryConnectionEdge","node":{"__typename":"Category","id":"dGVybToxMzU1","name":"Stories","slug":"23andme-customer-stories","uri":"/category/23andme-customer-stories","seo":{"__typename":"TaxonomySEO","title":"Stories Archives - 23andMe Blog","opengraphTitle":"Stories Archives","metaDesc":"23andMe customer stories offer insights from real customers about their experiences exploring what their DNA revealed about them.","opengraphDescription":"23andMe customer stories offer insights from real customers about their experiences exploring what their DNA revealed about them.","fullHead":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"}}}]},"imageOptions":{"__typename":"Post_Imageoptions","featuredImageSquare":{"__typename":"MediaItem","id":"cG9zdDoxODQ0OA==","mediaDetails":{"__typename":"MediaDetails","sizes_cad4b_bf21a":[{"__typename":"MediaSize","name":"thumbnail","sourceUrl":"https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/unlocking-the-code-logo-150x150.jpg"},{"__typename":"MediaSize","name":"medium","sourceUrl":"https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/unlocking-the-code-logo-300x248.jpg"},{"__typename":"MediaSize","name":"square_sm","sourceUrl":"https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/unlocking-the-code-logo-271x270.jpg"},{"__typename":"MediaSize","name":"wide_sm","sourceUrl":"https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/unlocking-the-code-logo-271x149.jpg"},{"__typename":"MediaSize","name":"wide_md","sourceUrl":"https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/unlocking-the-code-logo-326x204.jpg"}],"height":270,"width":326},"mediaItemUrl":"https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/unlocking-the-code-logo.jpg","sourceUrl_772ce_bf21a":"https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/unlocking-the-code-logo.jpg"},"singleTemplateFeaturedImage":"default"},"content_b28e9_bf21a":"
$\"unlocking$ Sixty years after Crick and Watson showed us the double helix structure of DNA, the Smithsonian opens the exhibition “Genome: Unlocking Life’s Code,” showing us all how the genetic revolution continues to change our lives, our health and our understanding of the human story.
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The exhibition – just opened at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History – includes a rich collection of exhibits that explain the basics of genetics, as well as offer insight into the genetic secrets being unlocked by scientists now.
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“Most people won’t know what ‘genome’ means when they walk into the building, but they will when they leave,” said National Human Genome Project, Director Dr. Eric Green.
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Back in April in comments he made on DNA Day, Green said that the exhibition would trigger curiosity about genetics and inspire people to think and ask questions about the science, ethics and societal implications surrounding what many have dubbed the era of the “genetic revolution.”
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The exhibition, which is presented in collaboration with the National Human Genome Research Institute as well as with contributions from other private foundations and companies, including 23andMe, also looks at the impact genetic science has on individuals. One of the exhibits includes a collection of stories from 23andMe customers.
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$\"Neil$
Neil Schwartzman
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“I’m pleased as punch,” said Neil Schwartzman, who found his biological sister, mother, father and half brother using 23andMe. “I just wish my adoptive parents were alive so that they could come and see it.”
\n
Neil’s story –as well as the stories of eight other 23andMe customers – is included in a portion of the exhibit that looks at how individuals have used DNA to discover something new about their ancestry and where in the world they can trace their roots. Researchers working with the Smithsonian also interviewed each of the individuals to learn more not just about what they discovered but what those insights meant to their own sense of self.
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Neil, who was adopted, spent years trying to find out about his family. It wasn’t until he tested with 23andMe and found his sister Jolie that he got answers. The testing also informed him about his Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry, as well as ancestry that he can trace back to Scotland and parts of Eastern and Northern Europe.
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For Miguel Aguilera, another 23andMe customer, it was hard to top having his own story included in a Smithsonian exhibit.
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“It’s really exciting,” said Miguel, who plans to travel to D.C. and attend an opening ceremony.
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“I think this is probably the closest I’ll come to ever being famous.”
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Miguel, along with several other 23andMe customers, will attended an opening ceremony this week.
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Miguel’s story is familiar to many immigrants. He came to the U.S. from Mexico, and his ancestry reflects the rich mix of cultures there. When he tested with 23andMe, he was able to see a visualization of the vivid mix of his own ancestry: European, Native American and African. He expected to find Native American ancestry, and ancestry traced to Spain and France, but Miguel said he was surprised to also learn that he had a smattering of ancestry from Africa, Sardinia and Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry.
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“I was surprised by that,” he said.
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23andMe customer Monica De Armond, also participated.
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She too has a rich mix of ancestry. Her mother is Mexican-American and her father is African American. She wanted to explore her DNA mostly out of curiosity.
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For Monica, the experience showed her the surprising interconnections between people of different ancestry, blurring some of the lines that sometimes divide people.
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“It really opens up your notion of identity,” she said.
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This Smithsonian exhibition was developed and produced through a partnership between the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History and the National Institutes of Health National Human Genome Research Institute, a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
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The plan is to have the exhibition run through September 1, 2014, followed by a traveling exhibition over the next four years.
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The rapid advancement in the science has outpaced many people’s understanding of genetics.
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The exhibition is meant to help people understand how the DNA inside every living thing on earth holds a complete set of instructions needed for that organism to grow and function. The intent of the exhibition is to explain that most basic kind of information as well as illustrate how scientists have identified thousands of genetic variants that contribute to disease, including different cancers and rare illnesses. The exhibit will show how the science is making health treatment more personalized and offering more insight into the human story – how our ancestors’ came out of Africa and populated the world.
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For more information visit http://unlockinglifescode.org/.
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23andMe is intended for research and educational purposes only. 23andMe’s services are not a substitute for professional medical or diagnostic advice.
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