Editor&#8217;s note: (June 4, 2024) This post has been changed since it was first published.
The Royal House of Habsburg, one of the most powerful dynasties of Medieval and Renaissance Europe, reigned over much of Europe for centuries. But genetic inheritance and the perils of inbreeding may explain their demise.
Like <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/researchers-discover-the-true-identity-of-the-royal-disease">many royal families</a>, their expansion and hold on power came about in part through inter-family marriages. But over time, generation after generation of inbreeding helped contribute to some of the physical ailments that often plagued the family and the distinctive look with their big lower lips, long noses, and the unique “Habsburg jaw.” Research published in the <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/03014460.2019.1687752?scroll=top&amp;needAccess=true&amp;">Annals of Human Biology</a> describes how this inbreeding likely doomed the dynasty.
(We can&#8217;t tell you if you&#8217;re a royal, but you can learn more about your ancestry and family tree with 23andMe&#8217;s DNA Ancestry service or sign up for a <a href="https://www.23andme.com/membership/">membership</a> for advanced ancestry reports and features.)<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright wp-image-27824 size-medium" title="Habsburg Inbreeding" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Habsburgs-236x300.png" alt=" Charles II of Spain, showing the Habsburg jaw, a result of inbreeding
" width="236" height="300" srcset="https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Habsburgs-236x300.png 236w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Habsburgs-768x974.png 768w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Habsburgs-807x1024.png 807w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Habsburgs-694x880.png 694w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Habsburgs-930x1180.png 930w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Habsburgs.png 1024w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 236px) 100vw, 236px" />
<h2>Understanding Consanguinity: Inbreeding&#8217;s Role in Genetic Disorders</h2>
Inbreeding is when two closely related individuals, who inherited some identical segments of DNA from the same ancestor(s), have children. The term genetic counselors typically use for inbreeding is “consanguinity,” which means “of the same blood” and is pronounced, “con-san-gwinity.”
The degree of relationship between the two individuals matters a lot. Children of parents who are brother and sister are more consanguineous (“con-sang-win-us”) than the children of two people who are first cousins. For similar reasons, consanguinity within the same family over multiple generations increases the risk for hereditary disorders in more than one isolated instance of a consanguineous union in a family tree.
Beginning in the early 12th century, they quickly expanded their realm. They did this through a series of strategically executed marriages, from the mountains of Switzerland to a territory that included swaths of Austria, Hungary, Italy, France, and Spain. The Spanish branch of the Habsburg dynasty helped create an empire that reached its apex in the 16th and 17th centuries. They controlled land from the Philippines to the Americas.
Yet the Habsburgs are known not only for controlling vast tracts of Europe but also for maintaining control by rarely marrying outside the dynasty.   
<h2>Habsburg Inbreeding</h2>
By the end of the 17th century, the results of their marital practices had become apparent. Family members had distinctive protruding lips, a high rate of infant mortality and a host of other health problems.
Could the same marital practices that helped bring the Habsburg dynasty to power also have led to its demise?
In <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0005174" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">PLoS One</a>, scientists from Spain&#8217;s University of Santiago de Compostela argue it did. They said that inbreeding so incapacitated the Habsburgs that by the death of King Charles II of Spain in 1700, they were virtually unable to reproduce.
From 1516 to 1700, it has been estimated that over 80% of marriages within the Spanish branch of the Habsburg dynasty were consanguineous. In other words, they were marriages between close blood relatives. These unions often took the form of marriages between first cousins, double-first cousins, and uncles/nieces.   Infant and child mortality rose to 50% among Spanish Habsburgs, much higher than the average for the period.
<h2>The Tragic Reign of Charles II: A Victim of Inbreeding?</h2>
However, the final Habsburg king of Spain, Charles II, was perhaps the most unfortunate result of these unions.   Also known as &#8220;El Hechizado&#8221; (&#8220;The Hexed&#8221;), Charles was severely deformed.   The so-called &#8220;Habsburg Lip&#8221;, a form of mandibular prognathism often seen among members of the Habsburg Dynasty, was so pronounced in Charles&#8217; case. So much so that it was difficult for him to speak.   An enlarged tongue, gastrointestinal problems, mental retardation, and possible growth problems meant that Charles was raised almost as an infant until the age of 10.   Even as he grew older, he was never able to govern effectively.   His rule saw the rapid decline of the Empire, only exacerbated by his death in 1700.
However, there has been little scientific research for all the speculation and anecdotal evidence of the negative impact of inbreeding on the House of Habsburg. So, there is no hard evidence of whether inbreeding actually played a role in the demise of the Hapsburg line.   The authors of this study sought to achieve this goal by examining genealogical information. To do that, they looked at family pedigrees for the eight royal families connected with the Habsburg dynasty.
<h2>Quantifying Royal Inbreeding: The Habsburg Family Tree Analysis</h2>
They analyzed the family pedigrees of over 3,000 individuals spanning 16 generations. They then used this information to calculate the inbreeding coefficient for each family member. The inbreeding coefficient is simply a measure of the chance that someone will receive identical genes from both parents.
Unsurprisingly, the authors found elevated inbreeding coefficients for many Habsburgs.   In fact, the levels increase consistently from the earliest Spanish Habsburgs. This goes from King Philip I (1478-1506) to the last Spanish Habsburg king Charles II.   Some of the Habsburgs &#8211; notably Charles II &#8211; had an inbreeding coefficient nearly twice what one would expect, given the level of relatedness between his mother and father.   In other words, although Charles&#8217; parents were related to each other as uncle and niece, his inbreeding coefficient fell at the same level as someone whose parents were brother and sister.
These unexpectedly high levels indicate consanguineous marriages, like that of Charles&#8217; parents. These unions had been happening along the Habsburg line for hundreds of years. This practice came to a head with the birth of Charles, whose inbreeding coefficient was the highest of all the Spanish Habsburgs. His physical deformities were also the most severe.
Further, the authors argue that Charles&#8217; ill health directly resulted from centuries of consanguineous unions. Expressly, they point to a growth hormone deficiency and severe renal tubular acidosis. These may have accounted for his short stature and many physical deformities and ailments.   These diseases are pretty rare in the general population. But the fact that so many of Charles&#8217; ancestors were related to each other would have increased his chances of inheriting the genes associated with them.   Whether Charles suffered from these specific diseases is still open to interpretation. However, his physical and mental difficulties prevented him from fathering any heirs to the throne.
The Habsburg dynasty in Spain ended when Charles passed away in 1700, a few days shy of his 39th birthday.
<h2>Genetics and Personalized Health in the 21st Century</h2>
The Habsburg dynasty&#8217;s story highlights genetics&#8217; profound impact on health and well-being, a reality that resonates even more strongly in the 21st century. Today, advancements in genetic research have opened up a new frontier in personalized healthcare.
Understanding one&#8217;s genetic makeup can provide insights into potential health risks, carrier status for certain conditions, and how individuals might respond to different medications. This knowledge empowers individuals to make informed decisions about their health, from lifestyle choices to proactive screenings and treatments.
23andMe, at the forefront of personal genetics, provides individuals with access to this valuable information. While rooted in the past, the Habsburg narrative serves as a compelling reminder of the power of genetics in shaping health outcomes.
Find out if your <a href="https://www.23andme.com/test-info/genetic-health/?_gl=1*1xgbpjj*_ga*MTczMTM3NTg5LjE3MTY0MjQ4MzE.*_ga_G330GF3ZFF*MTcxNjQ0OTk1Ny40LjEuMTcxNjQ1MDA2MC4wLjAuMA..">genetics</a> might Increase your risk for any health conditions with 23andMe.

The Habsburg Jaw: How Inbreeding Ended a Dynasty

There’s a day for almost everything, so, of course, there’s an international <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/food/article-8038499/People-celebrating-International-Hate-Coriander-day.html">“I Hate Coriander Day.”</a>



Coriander, also known as cilantro, is one of the most commonly used herbs in the world, but people&#8217;s preferences for this little leafy green are one more thing that divides them.



For some, it is baffling why anyone would feel passionate loathing for an ingredient that brings a distinctive tang to their guacamole. Meanwhile, others cringe in disgust at tasting anything with what they think of as a <a href="https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/devil%27s_herb">“devil herb.”</a>



<figure class="wp-block-image alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="257" height="192" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Cilantro-Aversion.jpg" alt="An image of a cilantro leaf and the chemical compound." class="wp-image-26278"/></figure>



(23andMe customers can learn about the genetics of their <a href="https://you.23andme.com/reports/trait.cilantro_taste/">Cilantro taste preference in their trait report</a>. If you&#8217;re curious about this or other reports but not a customer, check out our <a class="waffle-rich-text-link" href="https://www.23andme.com/compare-dna-tests/">DNA Tests</a> to get a customized genetic traits report.)



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cilantro-tastes-like-soap-it-could-be-your-genetics">Cilantro Tastes Like Soap? It Could Be Your Genetics.</h2>



As one former 23andMe blogger said in an old ode to cilantro hatred:



“For years, I believed that every Mexican restaurant my family took me to had some kind of problem with their dishwashing machine. Why else would the food always taste like soap?”



Many people have no idea that this leafy green herb can cause such repulsion, much to the chagrin of those who find it foul. For some, cilantro tastes like soap. To others, it can taste like stink bugs, dirt, or — if they’re really dramatic – anarchy, pure evil, or the plague.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cilantro-taste-aversion">Cilantro Taste Aversion</h2>



Like with anything that divides people, it’s helpful to understand where the other side is coming from. We at 23andMe are here to help with some science.



Several years back, 23andMe scientists<a href="https://flavourjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/2044-7248-1-22" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> </a><a href="https://flavourjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/2044-7248-1-22">found a &#8220;genetic component to cilantro taste perception.”</a> The findings suggested that genetic variants in the olfactory receptors may contribute to some people’s distaste for cilantro.



23andMe also offers customers a Cilantro Taste Aversion Trait Report that looks at two genetic variants associated with a dislike for cilantro and can tell you if you have slightly higher or lower odds of disliking the herb.



While genetics plays a role, culture and environment do, too. Some of that may explain the differences between people of different ancestries. In the 23andMe study, 14-21 percent of people of East Asian, African, and Caucasian ancestry disliked cilantro. In contrast, only 3-to-7 percent of those who identified as South Asian, Hispanic, or Middle Eastern disliked it.



But clearly, your environment or your cultural cuisine isn’t everything. Genetics also plays a role in this love-hate relationship.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cilantro-amp-genetics">Cilantro &amp; Genetics</h2>



<div style="float: right; text-align: justified; width: 300px; background-color: #eee; padding: 15px; margin-left: 10px;">
Cilantro taste in 23andMe customers Cilantro soapy-taste by ancestry
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Ashkenazi Jewish</td>
<td>14.1%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Southern European</td>
<td>13.4%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Northern European</td>
<td>12.8%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>African-American</td>
<td>9.2%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Latino</td>
<td>8.7%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>East Asian</td>
<td>8.4%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>South Asian</td>
<td>3.9%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Sex differences in cilantro taste perception
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Female vs. Male</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Tastes soapy</td>
<td align="right">57% vs. 43%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Doesn&#8217;t taste soapy</td>
<td align="right">49% vs. 51%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>



Humans have hundreds of receptors that send signals to our brains to produce what we recognize as aromas and flavors.



However, this is complex and differs from person to person. For example, the same chemical can be found in appealing and unappealing places — cheese and body odor. Conversely, the same ingredient — such as cilantro — can contain both pleasant and unpleasant chemicals. Whether stinky cheese and cilantro are delicious or disgusting depends on your perception of many different substances.



The two genetic variants used in 23andMe’s Cilantro Taste Aversion trait report are in a cluster of olfactory receptor genes. These are biological sensors that detect chemicals in the air and in food. These receptor genes are also linked to the ability to detect aldehydes, chemical compounds found in soap, which are thought to be a significant component of cilantro aroma.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-supertasters">Supertasters</h2>



One type of aldehyde has been described as “fruity” and “green,” and another as “soapy” and “pungent.”



One of the eight genes near the variants 23andMe uses in its report codes for a receptor called OR6A2, known to detect aldehydes such as those found in cilantro. Although this finding proves that genetic variation in olfactory receptors is involved in cilantro taste perception, common genetic variants explain only a tiny part of the difference — a half percent — between 23andMe customers for this trait.



This doesn’t mean genetics can’t play a significant role in a person. Indeed, some people are <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/tasty-genetics"> &#8220;supertasters&#8221;</a> or may have specific genetic variations that cause them to detect or not detect certain smells and flavors. One thing’s for sure—if you hate cilantro, you really hate cilantro!



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



If you aren&#8217;t already a 23andMe customer, check out your <a href="https://you.23andme.com/reports/trait.cilantro_taste/">Cilantro Taste Aversion trait report here.</a> Not yet a customer? Find out <a href="https://www.23andme.com/compare-dna-tests/?sub=ver2&amp;cabt=nao">all that 23andMe offers here</a>.

Cilantro Taste Gene – Everything You Should Know

Editor&#8217;s note: This post has been edited slightly since it first appeared in 2020.



A <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41562-020-00956-y">new study</a> that uncovered dozens of genetic associations for why some people are left-handed or ambidextrous offers potential new insight into the human brain&#8217;s structure and function. 



<figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="724" height="483" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/GettyImages-1251025203.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-30112" style="width:362px;height:242px" srcset="https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/GettyImages-1251025203.jpg 724w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/GettyImages-1251025203-300x200.jpg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 724px) 100vw, 724px" /></figure>



In the largest study of its kind, researchers in Australia uncovered almost 50 genetic variants associated with being left-handed or ambidextrous. 



Using data from 1.7 million individuals, including more than 1.1 million 23andMe customers who consented to participate in research, scientists at the University of Queensland&#8217;s <a href="https://www.qimrberghofer.edu.au/">QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute</a>, found that many different genetic variants — each with a small effect — influence a person&#8217;s &#8220;handedness.&#8221;&nbsp; But the study also showed that while genetics plays an important role, environmental influences have a more significant impact on which hand a person favors. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-right-and-left-brain">Right and Left Brain</h2>



 Studying what researchers call &#8220;handedness&#8221; is significant because it offers insight into the brain&#8217;s lateralization. Lateralization refers to the tendency for different cognitive and neural functions — language, for instance — to be located on one side of the brain and not the other. In this study, the <a href="https://www.23andme.com/genetic-science/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">genetic associations</a> with left-handedness may also point to influences on the development of brain tissue that is important for generating new neurons and other functions that regulate brain development. 



&#8220;Although there is an enduring fascination with why some people are left or right-handed or both, understanding why some people are left-handed and others right-handed is also an important research question because handedness can influence brain structure and the way different functions are located within the brain,&#8221; said <a href="https://www.qimrberghofer.edu.au/people/sarah-medland/">Professor Sarah Medland</a>, co-senior author of the paper and head of QIMR Berghofer&#8217;s Psychiatric Genetics Group. 



The researchers also found genetic correlations with being left-handed and schizophrenia and having bipolar disorder. This raises questions about whether this is related to the influence on brain structure and function found in this research. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-large-study-size">Large Study Size</h2>



 For this study, the researchers combined data from many different research cohorts.&nbsp; The study included data not only from 23andMe customers, but also data from the UK Biobank, and 32 other researcher institutions from around the globe. 



All together it included data from about 1.5 million people who are right-handers, about 194,000 who are left-handers, and 37,000 who are ambidextrous. The study identified 41 genetic variants associated with being left-handed and seven associated with being ambidextrous. There is very little genetic correlation between being left-handed and being ambidextrous, according to the researchers. 



The study appears in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41562-020-00956-y" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Nature Human Behaviour</a>.

The Genetics of Being Left-Handed or Right-Handed

This August’s record-setting heat waves serve as a reminder to pay special attention to sun and heat exposure.
Many of us already understand that sun exposure can increase one’s risk for certain types of <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/health-traits/new-23andme-report-on-skin-cancer/">skin cancer</a> like melanoma and basal and squamous cell carcinomas. But beyond skin cancer, increased UV radiation and heat can also exacerbate several other health conditions. Learning more about some of these conditions and your genetic likelihood of developing them can help you better protect yourself this summer.
<h6>A Resurgence of Rosacea</h6>
Rosacea is a chronic skin condition that often causes redness, flushing, or visible blood vessels around the nose and cheeks. Symptoms come and go in response to environmental triggers.
<a href="https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/rosacea/triggers/prevent#:~:text=Think%20sun%20protection,30%20or%20higher%20every%20day.">Sun exposure</a> is a common cause of rosacea flare-ups, particularly in the summer. However, basic protection measures – like avoiding midday sun, wearing a hat, and applying a gentle, mineral-based sunscreen – can help lessen symptoms.  
It also helps to be aware of your genetics. Rosacea is likely due to a<a href="https://blog.23andme.com/health-traits/new-report-rosacea/"> confluence of factors</a>, including genetics and inflammation caused by an overactive immune system.
23andMe researchers, in collaboration with academic and industry partners, identified <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/23andme-research/the-genetics-of-rosacea/">two genetic variants</a> associated with rosacea among people of European descent and unearthed <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/23andme-research/new-genetic-associations-for-rosacea-found/">seven gene regions</a> related to rosacea symptom severity.
Current research aims to better understand the condition and identify therapies that can help treat symptoms.
<h6>Weathering Lupus Flare-Ups</h6>
The summer sun can also spell trouble for people with lupus. This chronic autoimmune condition occurs when the body’s immune system attacks its own tissues and organs. The resulting inflammation can affect joints, skin, and various organs. 
Many people with lupus experience photosensitivity and flare-ups after UV exposure. A <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/23andme-research/new-insights-from-lupus-research/">four-year study</a> by 23andMe and Pfizer of 6,000 individuals with lupus found that 67 percent of participants reported skin reactions after sun exposure. 
Dermatologists <a href="https://www.lupus.org/resources/uv-exposure-what-you-need-to-know">recommend</a> a suite of lifestyle modifications that include wearing sunscreen, shading or tinting the windows of your car, and even choosing lightbulbs with lower irradiance.
<h6>Staying Safe this Summer</h6>
Too much UV exposure and too much heat can leave their mark, but with a little knowledge and preparation, you can maximize the last few weeks of the season.

Here Comes the Sun!

Ah, summer vacation. A chance to set your status to “out of office,” grab that book you’ve been meaning to finish, and set off on a new adventure.
But how – and where – should you spend your precious days off? To help you finalize your summer travel plans, we’ve compiled a list of destinations influenced by your DNA and backed by 23andMe research.
Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast with a fear of heights or a beach lover who’s genetically predisposed to get a lot of mosquito bites, we have a destination that may pair well with your genes.

<h6> Summer Sans Bite</h6>
Summer marks the return of many simple pleasures – barbecues, beach trips, long days, warm nights, and time outside. But it also marks the return of a buzzing menace: the mosquito.
If you seem to have more itchy red welts on your ankles than the people around you, your DNA may play a role. 23andMe researchers found<a href="https://blog.23andme.com/health-traits/itching-to-see-23andmes-new-trait-reports/"> 285 genetic variants</a> associated with mosquito bite frequency, size, and itchiness. These markers and other non-genetic factors such as birth sex may explain why mosquitoes find some people so attractive.
For the mosquito magnets among us, we recommend heading north to an urban location with cooler temperatures like Seattle, Washington. Seattle’s<a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/why-are-there-so-few-mosquitos-seattle"> temperate climate</a> helps keep mosquito populations <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/zika/pdfs/Zika-mosquito-maps.pdf">in check</a> because there is less heat, humidity, and standing water that they need to survive and reproduce. With its lively art and food scene and proximity to Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains, Seattle is buzzing in all the right ways.

<h6>Finding Balance</h6>
For those who suffer from<a href="https://www.23andme.com/topics/traits/motion-sickness/"> motion sickness</a>, the mere thought of a summer road trip may trigger a desire to stock up on motion sickness relief medicine.
Motion sickness may happen when there’s sensory conflict, or a mismatch between what your body feels is happening and what your eyes see. And genetics factor in, too. 23andMe researchers pinpointed<a href="https://blog.23andme.com/health-traits/feeling-woozy-over-23andmes-new-report-on-motion-sickness/"> 413 genetic variants</a> that influence susceptibility to motion sickness. They also saw an<a href="https://academic.oup.com/hmg/article/24/9/2700/2385879?login=false"> association</a> between motion sickness and other conditions like migraines, morning sickness, and vertigo, which confirmed similar observations from previous researchers.
So this summer, ditch the car, skip the open road, and head to one of America’s most<a href="https://www.walkscore.com/NY/New_York"> walkable</a> metropolises: New York City. It’s a pedestrian’s paradise – museum exhibitions, Broadway shows, restaurants, lively neighborhoods, and shopping that can be easily reached on foot. No medication required.

<h6>Don’t Look Down</h6>
Does a precipice cause your heart to race? Does a mountain vista make your knees tremble?
A fear of heights is very common, affecting as many as <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00415-012-6685-1">one in three</a> people.
The distress may stem from a disruption in optical input and spatial orientation. While standing upright, the brain uses visual cues from surrounding objects to maintain balance. But this process can become muddled when standing at a high elevation relative to your surroundings.
There’s also a<a href="https://www.23andme.com/topics/traits/fear-of-heights/"> genetic component</a> at play. Scientists at 23andMe used statistical models and data from consented research participants to identify <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/health-traits/itching-to-see-23andmes-new-trait-reports/">392 genetic markers</a> associated with a fear of heights.
<a href="https://www.nps.gov/bisc/index.htm">Biscayne National Park</a> offers an alternative to the high elevations and heart-stopping views that we usually associate with the National Park system. Biscayne is located off the southeast coast of Florida, the country’s flattest state, and features four different ecosystems that hover close to sea level. The park offers plenty of water activities and several<a href="https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/florida/elliott-key-interpretive-loop"> low-elevation trails</a> that provide an awe-inspiring view of mangrove trees, sand bars, and turquoise water without that woozy, faint feeling.
Pack your bags; your DNA-tailored adventure awaits!

Where You Should Travel This Summer, Based on Your Genetics

Many of us are almost as afraid of standing up and talking in front of a room full of people as getting<a href="https://www.chapman.edu/wilkinson/research-centers/babbie-center/_files/americas-top-fears-2019.pdf"> attacked by a shark</a> or murdered by a stranger.
While the odds are slim to none, the angst around public speaking is very real. About a quarter of Americans report having a fear of public speaking. If you assumed that simply doing all your talking remotely via Zoom would remove the fear, the last year would tell you otherwise. For some, the intimacy of Zoom actually makes the whole experience that much more<a href="https://theconversation.com/anxious-about-speaking-in-online-classes-and-meetings-here-are-7-tips-to-make-it-easier-144121"> unnerving</a>.<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Fear-of-Public-Speaking-2-300x252.jpg" alt="" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-27146" width="300" height="252" srcset="https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Fear-of-Public-Speaking-2-300x252.jpg 300w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Fear-of-Public-Speaking-2.jpg 540w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />
Glossophobia
Genetics plays a small part in a person’s fear of public speaking, also known as<a href="https://www.psycom.net/glossophobia-fear-of-public-speaking"> glossophobia.</a> There isn’t a similarly long Greek-derived word to cover “fear of video chat,” but they both boil down to the same type of anxiety, and they both include symptoms like sweating, rapid heartbeat, and nausea.
23andMe reports on a person’s likelihood of having a fear of public speaking. Using a statistical model and data from more than 870,000 23andMe research participants, our scientists have identified more than 800 genetic markers associated with a fear of public speaking. Using those genetic markers together with non-genetic factors we developed a statistical model to estimate the likelihood of having a fear of public speaking. Among the non-genetic factors, we looked at are such things as age and sex.
&nbsp;

	<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-style-default"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="681" src="https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/fear-of-public-speaking-1024x681.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-27145" srcset="https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/fear-of-public-speaking-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/fear-of-public-speaking-300x199.jpg 300w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/fear-of-public-speaking-768x511.jpg 768w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/fear-of-public-speaking-880x585.jpg 880w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/fear-of-public-speaking-1180x784.jpg 1180w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/fear-of-public-speaking.jpg 1256w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
	
<h6></h6>
<h6>Mic Check</h6>
The report is among more than 30 interesting Trait reports available to<a href="https://www.23andme.com/dna-health-ancestry"> 23andMe Health + Ancestry Service</a> customers. These reports often spark curiosity and allow customers to explore more about the science and garner fun genetic insights of their own. Most recently we added reports on<a href="https://blog.23andme.com/health-traits/23andme-steps-out-with-two-new-trait-reports/"> Bunions and Flat Feet</a>, and have others on such things as<a href="https://blog.23andme.com/health-traits/itching-to-see-23andmes-new-trait-reports/"> Mosquito Bite Frequency</a> and<a href="https://blog.23andme.com/health-traits/itching-to-see-23andmes-new-trait-reports/"> Fear of Heights</a>.
Fear of public speaking doesn’t present any serious health consequences, it can hamper career advancement or your speech at your best friend’s wedding. It’s linked to our natural fight or flight response. Understanding the biology may offer insights into other anxiety-related conditions. About 43 percent of 23andMe customers participating in research report having a fear of public speaking. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to<a href="https://www.psycom.net/glossophobia-fear-of-public-speaking#actionsteps"> overcome a fear of public speaking</a>.
Before their next<a href="https://www.toastmasters.org/"> Toastmaster</a> mic check, 23andMe Health + Ancestry customers can check out their  Fear of Public Speaking Report. Just go to your<a href="https://you.23andme.com/health/trait/"> Traits dashboard</a>.
Not yet a customer? Head over<a href="https://www.23andme.com/compare-dna-tests/"> here</a> and learn more.

Fear of Public Speaking

The biggest changes often start with the smallest of steps, and that is particularly true with your health.
With our new Lifestyle Dashboards, 23andMe wants to help you along that path to wellness. Nudging you to eat a little better each day, or to take a few more steps outside, or reminding you of the importance of a good night&#8217;s sleep. Making these small incremental changes can add up to big improvements to your overall health.
We want to help you but, like with any journey, before you take that first step it helps both to know not just where you are but where you want to go. To do that, customers can connect their mobile devices — like an iPhone or Apple Watch with the <a href="https://www.apple.com/ios/health/">Apple Health Kit</a> or <a href="https://www.google.com/fit/">Google Fit</a> — through our app, or answer survey questions that allows 23andMe to assess their daily habits. 
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	<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-style-default"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="520" src="https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Frame-1-1024x520.png" alt="" class="wp-image-28725" srcset="https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Frame-1-1024x520.png 1024w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Frame-1-300x152.png 300w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Frame-1-768x390.png 768w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Frame-1-880x447.png 880w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Frame-1-1180x600.png 1180w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Frame-1.png 1220w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
	
<h6>Daily Healthy Habits 
</h6>
Your activity data from your phone and wearable devices, as well as your answers to those questions, allow you to compare how you are doing with other 23andMe customers, who have consented to participate in research. We’ll be able to show you how many of your daily habits, like your daily steps, your exercise routine, your veggie intake, your red meat consumption, your stress levels, compared to the thousands of individuals in our research community. 
The power of social comparison can open your eyes to things you’re doing well, and need to work on more. We even allow our 23andMe+ members to compare based on age, sex, and region.&nbsp; 
<h6>A Virtuous Circle 
</h6>
In addition, for those who opt into 23andMe&#8217;s research, your responses are aggregated with answers from other participants so that our scientists can study what works and doesn&#8217;t work in improving overall health in a sort of virtual cycle of information.
These dashboards are 23andMe&#8217;s first step into helping customers more easily integrate their day-to-day habits and behaviors into their overall 23andMe health experience. The genetic insights we provide can ground us in what lifestyle habits are especially important.
 23andMe wants to help you track and improve your wellness to work together towards a healthier future for you. If you’re a 23andMe Health + Ancestry Service customer in the United States, take a look at the Lifestyle Dashboards, and let’s take this next step to improve our health together.

23andMe’s New Lifestyle Dashboard

Mom, I’m not the best poet and I know you know it, but here’s my rhyme, I’ll try not to blow it.<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/We-Love-Mom-Genes-300x193.png" alt="" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-27052" width="300" height="193" srcset="https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/We-Love-Mom-Genes-300x193.png 300w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/We-Love-Mom-Genes.png 434w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />
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I am grateful for the traits you gave me — my eyes, curly hair, and even <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/health-traits/too-many-teardrops/">crying easily</a>.
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I appreciate all the many little things — a preference to listen, but not the allergy to azithromycin.
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You always have been so <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/23andme-research/new-study-finds-genetic-associations-for-neuroticism/">conscientious</a>, a paragon of caring and unpretentiousness.
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Then there’s your uncanny ability, to <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/23andme-research/23andme-scientists-to-present-new-findings/">match a musical pitch </a>with such agility.
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Maybe I should have kept this simple, and only thanked you for my dimple.
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But all this is to say, I love you and wish you a Happy Mother’s Day.
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<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Mothers-Day-Infographic-and-Blog-Final-kc_BLOG-External.png" alt="" class="aligncenter wp-image-27072 size-full" width="875" height="3095" srcset="https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Mothers-Day-Infographic-and-Blog-Final-kc_BLOG-External.png 875w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Mothers-Day-Infographic-and-Blog-Final-kc_BLOG-External-85x300.png 85w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Mothers-Day-Infographic-and-Blog-Final-kc_BLOG-External-768x2717.png 768w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Mothers-Day-Infographic-and-Blog-Final-kc_BLOG-External-249x880.png 249w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Mothers-Day-Infographic-and-Blog-Final-kc_BLOG-External-334x1180.png 334w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 875px) 100vw, 875px" />

An Ode To Mom Genes

An international team of researchers has found shared genetic underpinnings for alcoholism and several psychiatric disorders including depression, ADHD and schizophrenia.<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Empty-Bottles-300x225.jpg" alt="" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-26708" width="300" height="225" srcset="https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Empty-Bottles-300x225.jpg 300w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Empty-Bottles-768x576.jpg 768w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Empty-Bottles-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Empty-Bottles-880x660.jpg 880w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Empty-Bottles-1180x885.jpg 1180w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Empty-Bottles.jpg 1182w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />
It is the largest genome-wide association study ever done on individuals with diagnosed alcohol dependency. The study led by researchers at Harvard Medical School, Yale, Indiana University, and Washington University, also bolsters <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/23andme-research/the-genetics-of-alcoholism/">other research</a> that has shown shared genetic influences between substance abuse and certain psychiatric disorders. 
“The current estimate is that one in eight Americans suffers from alcohol dependence,” said <a href="https://medicine.wustl.edu/news/alcohol-dependence-psychiatric-disorders-share-genetic-links/">senior author Arpana Agrawal</a>, PhD, a professor of psychiatry at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. “And the gene we identified has a protective effect, but by no means is it the only thing affecting risk of alcohol dependence. We know environmental factors also play a role. We also think the genetic susceptibility to alcohol dependence stems from the small, cumulative effects of a very large number of variants across the genome.”
Along with the genome-wide association study — that included data from more than 50,000 people — this study, using data from <a href="https://research.23andme.com/research/">23andMe</a>, also looked at the genetic correlation between alcohol dependence and 42 different traits. Those traits were as varied as nicotine addiction, major depressive disorder, BMI, and educational attainment to name a few.
But this new study, published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41593-018-0275-1">Nature Neuroscience</a>, is unique in that the researchers included data from individuals who were diagnosed for alcohol dependency, and the study included individuals with non-European ancestry. The researchers noted that many genes influence alcohol dependence, but genes that affect how individuals metabolize alcohol play an outsized role. Researchers found that different genetic variants were more important for people with African American ancestry versus those of European descent.
Together the findings offer more insight into the causes of alcohol dependence, a major public health issue. Worldwide alcohol abuse accounts for about 5 percent of the global disease burden, and it is tied to one in 20 deaths, according to the World Health Organization.
This study also follows on the heels of a series of studies that have explicitly looked at alcohol use, including both casual consumption and much heavier alcohol use. Both studies found distinct genetic differences between occasional consumption and alcohol abuse. For example, researchers in both studies found that there was a negative correlation between the heavy drinking associated with alcoholism and educational attainment — the number of years of formal education. But there is a positive correlation between educational attainment and more casual or social drinking.
This study, and others, suggest that social drinking is not associated with depression, but problem drinking and alcoholism are. The study also found correlations with smoking, marijuana use, and measures for lower impulse control and higher tolerance for risk taking.
The work in linking these kinds of behavioral traits and psychiatric disorders has been made possible, in large part, because researchers have been able to leverage the massive amounts of de-identified aggregate data from 23andMe, the UK Biobank and several smaller research cohorts. This study also benefited from using data from individuals who were diagnosed with alcohol dependence, but an even larger study could yield more results, the researchers said.
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New Research Shows Shared Genetic Link Between Alcohol Dependence and Psychiatric Disorders

23andMe released a new batch of <a href="https://www.23andme.com/topics/traits/">trait reports</a> that  look at whether your DNA indicates you might be tastier to mosquitoes than others, or why you can sing back a musical note or get the heebie-jeebies looking down from great heights, or even why your hair lightens in the sun.
Let&#8217;s take a closer look at each report:
<h6>Mosquito Bite Frequency </h6>
<a href="https://blog.23andme.com/23andme-research/mosquito-bites/"> A study</a> that 23andMe collaborated on with researchers at Pfizer Inc last year, showed that genetics plays a role in both the amount of swelling from a bite and how often a person gets bit. That study found 15 genetic variants — almost all on or near genes associated with the immune response — associated with both the intensity of the reaction to the bite and the frequency of bites.
23andMe’s new Mosquito Bite Frequency trait report goes far beyond those initial findings and uses more than 280 genetic variants associated with mosquito attractiveness to calculate its estimate. It turns out that female mosquitoes — it’s only the female mosquito that drinks our blood — have a good nose for prey.
Their complex olfactory system leads them to prefer some people’s scent to others. Indeed, data from 23andMe customers who consented to participate in research indicate that more than a third, 37.5 percent, report being bitten more often than others. A little more than a quarter, 27.5 percent, said they were bitten less frequently.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-26391 size-large" title="Mosquite Bite Frequency" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Mosquitobite.jpg-1002x1024.png" alt="" width="1002" height="1024" srcset="https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Mosquitobite.jpg-1002x1024.png 1002w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Mosquitobite.jpg-294x300.png 294w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Mosquitobite.jpg-768x785.png 768w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Mosquitobite.jpg-861x880.png 861w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Mosquitobite.jpg-1155x1180.png 1155w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1002px) 100vw, 1002px" />
<h6>Hair Photobleaching </h6>
Beyond getting a few bug bites another rite of summer is getting a little sun, and for some that can also mean a slight change in the color of their hair. But getting a beach blonde hairdo is a bit more complicated than you’d imagine with dozens of genetic variants influencing whether the sun will lighten your hair. 23andMe scientists identified 48 different genetic variants that affect this trait among people of European ancestry. The genetics around <a href="https://www.23andme.com/topics/traits/hair-photobleaching">hair photobleaching</a> should not be confused with the<a href="https://blog.23andme.com/23andme-research/untangling-the-genetics-of-hair-color/"> hundreds of genes associated with hair color</a>. According to data that 23andMe used to create this trait report, a little more than 72 percent of customers who consented to participate in research and have European ancestry reported that the sun lightens their hair.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-26390 size-large" title="Hair Photobleaching" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Photobleaching.jpg-837x1024.png" alt="" width="837" height="1024" srcset="https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Photobleaching.jpg-837x1024.png 837w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Photobleaching.jpg-245x300.png 245w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Photobleaching.jpg-768x940.png 768w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Photobleaching.jpg-719x880.png 719w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Photobleaching.jpg-964x1180.png 964w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 837px) 100vw, 837px" />
<h6>Fear of Heights</h6>
It turns out that certain fears, including acrophobia, which is the fear of heights, have a genetic component. 23andMe reports on whether your genetics makes you more or less likely than the average person to be afraid of heights. While a phobia can be learned, there are also fears that are influenced by genetics. Fear of heights is relatively common, affecting as many as<a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00415-012-6685-1"> one in three people</a>, according to one study.
This is consistent with what scientists at 23andMe found among customers who consented to participate in research, with about 37 percent saying they were afraid of heights. The feelings one has may be based on the visual stimulus one experiences when standing near the edge of a significant drop-off, where the nearby objects one uses as optical input to maintain balance is absent. Scientists believe that acrophobia might be stronger in those who depend heavily on visual information for balance, which also has a genetic component.
<h6><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-26389 size-large" title="Fear of Heights" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/FearOheights.jpg-1024x1001.png" alt="" width="1024" height="1001" srcset="https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/FearOheights.jpg-1024x1001.png 1024w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/FearOheights.jpg-300x293.png 300w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/FearOheights.jpg-768x751.png 768w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/FearOheights.jpg-880x860.png 880w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/FearOheights.jpg-1180x1153.png 1180w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />Ability to match music note </h6>
More than just being able to sing, the ability to match a musical note is something that some people are just<a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2018-04-11/how-much-of-our-ability-to-sing-in-tune-is-inherited/9636506"> born with</a>. 23andMe now reports on whether your genetics makes it more or less likely that you’ll match a <a href="https://www.23andme.com/topics/traits/musical-pitch/">musical pitch</a>. Although it might seem simple for those with this instinctive ability, there is actually a lot going on. Reproducing a note requires the ability first to hear the pitch, and then the brain identifies the muscles needed to produce the sound. About half of 23andMe customers who consented to participate in research say they can sing back any note, and our researchers have identified no fewer than 500 genetic variants associated with the ability to match musical pitch.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-26388 size-large" title="Match Musical Pitch" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/MusicalPitch.jpg-876x1024.png" alt="" width="876" height="1024" srcset="https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/MusicalPitch.jpg-876x1024.png 876w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/MusicalPitch.jpg-257x300.png 257w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/MusicalPitch.jpg-768x898.png 768w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/MusicalPitch.jpg-753x880.png 753w, https://blog.pub.us-west-2.prd.23andme.us/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/MusicalPitch.jpg-1009x1180.png 1009w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 876px) 100vw, 876px" />
<h6>Genetic Traits</h6>
Together, these trait reports show that traits like these — as well as the more than two-dozen others that we offer to health + ancestry customers — are influenced by your genetics. The reports can help give you a bit more insight into the fascinating world of genetics, and how the interplay between your DNA and your environment can ultimately influence who you are.
We encourage you to <a href="https://www.23andme.com/topics/traits/">check them out</a>.

Traits