Search Results for: 23andme
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Behind the Scenes at Finding Your Roots
Jul 20
Finding Your Roots is a very popular genealogy TV show. The host is Henry Louis Gates, Jr. Every episode features a celebrity who learns more about his or her ancestors while the camera is running. There's a lot of interesting information included in the show. There is also a lot going on behind the scenes at Finding Your Roots. The Finding Your...
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The Genetics Behind the Unibrow
Jun 25
When we think of the unibrow, the image of artist Frida Kahlo might come to mind. Or, you might think of a Muppet named Bert that is a character on “Sesame Street”. You might have family members who have a unibrow (or have your own unibrow). A study set out to discover the genetics behind the unibrow. The study was titled “A genome-wide...
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Genetic Variants Found that Influence the Odds of Twins
May 23
Are there twins run in your family? There are a lot of “old wives tales” that have been passed around about what indicates that a pregnant women is having twins. None of those have any factual basis. A scientific study found that there are two genetic variants that actually do influence the odds of a woman having non-identical twins. The...
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Some Doctors Don’t Care About Mail-Ordered DNA Test Results
Mar 29
Genealogists have access to many different direct-to-consumer genetic testing kits. Pick the company you like best, send out a DNA sample, and you might learn about something in your genes that could increase the risk of developing a certain disease (or passing that disease onto your child). Don't be surprised if your doctor doesn't care about th...
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How a DNA Typo Led Sonia Vallbh to the White House
Mar 16
Your DNA can reveal a lot about yourself. Genealogists use direct-to-consumer DNA test kits to find out more about their heritage. Other types of DNA testing can tell a person whether or not he or she carries a mutated gene that increases the risk of developing a certain disease. A DNA “typo” ended up leading Sonia Vallbh to the White House....
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Your Neanderthal Ancestors Gave You Allergies
Feb 23
Are you someone who struggles through the spring and fall pollen seasons? Do you have to avoid certain foods because you are allergic to them? Does your household lack pets because a family member is allergic to dogs or cats? It turns out, you might be able to blame those allergies on your distant ancestors – the Neanderthals. Genealogists ...
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DNA Testing and Informed Consent
Feb 3
What happens to the DNA sample that you provide to a DNA testing company? Some of it is used to inform you about your heritage. What about the rest? Some people are concerned that their DNA, or other information, is being used without their consent. 23andMe has a Privacy Statement that notes that your Genetic and Self-Reported information ma...
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The Limitations of DNA Test Kits for Americans
Jan 12
Genealogists take DNA tests for two reasons. One is because the results could reveal relatives that they were unaware of. The other reason has to do with health. Some DNA tests can reveal whether or not a person has genes that might increase the risk for certain diseases. However, there is a limitation on DNA test kits for Americans – one that is...
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Coffee Consumption Associated with Longer Life
Dec 22
There are many who begin their day with a nice, hot, cup of coffee. People enjoy the warmth and comfort the popular beverage brings, and look forward to the kick of caffeine. You may have started drinking coffee after watching your parents and grandparents drink it. A new study found that drinking coffee is associated with having a long life. 23...
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Police Are Asking for DNA
Nov 24
Genealogists who want to learn more about their heritage could choose to use a direct-to-consumer DNA test kit. Send a sample of your saliva to the company that makes the test kit, and wait for the results. Some companies use the DNA of their customers in order to help find cures for diseases. It appears that this isn't the only thing your donat...