23andMe Presents Research Highlights from 2019

23andMe presented their research highlights from 2019. The highlights include ongoing collaborations, research, some of their published work, and other initiatives.

In 2019, 23andMe scientists have published more than 20 papers. Those papers covered a wide range of topics, including genetics of certain rare genetic conditions, of same-sex sexual behavior, of BMI and breast cancer, and even gauging the attitudes and knowledge of primary care physicians on direct-to-consumer genetic testing.

23andMe collaborated with at team of researchers on same-sex sexual behavior. The paper offers fascinating insights into the genetics around human sexual behavior, and it also illustrated the power of 23andMe’s research model. The amount of phenotypic and genetic data can power studies into a complex trait like this but also enable the studying of sensitive and important topics.

Early in 2019, 23andMe established their Research Innovations Collaboration Program. Doing so ensures that other qualified researchers will be able to use this aggregated de-identified information for important studies and enhance the impact of 23andMe’s research data.

Currently, 23andMe is working on a project with Brigham and Women’s Hospital and the hearX Group. This collaboration was launched late in 2019 to study hearing loss using innovative online tools. Using an online hearing test and a survey specific to the study, 23andMe was able to recruit more than 100,000 people to participate in the study more quickly. The project is on track to become the most extensive genetic research of hearing loss ever.

The Psychiatric Genomics Consortium (PGC) and 23andMe expanded its study of major depressive disorder to include not just Europeans, but also African Americans, Latinos, East Asians, South Asians, and people of Middle Eastern descent. The data will used in combination with data by the PGC to be the largest multi-ethnic study of the genetics of depression.

Related Articles on FamilyTree.com:

Study Provides Insights Into Same-Sex Behavior

23andMe Explains Why Diversity Matters in Genetic Research

23andMe Provides Information About Breast Cancer Genes

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