23andMe
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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...
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23andMe Resumes Genetic Testing
Nov 17
A few years ago, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) required 23andMe to stop selling their DNA test kits to consumers. The FDA objected to the health related results. Recently, 23andMe obtained FDA approval to begin offering genetic testing again. In October of 2015, 23andMe announced a new experience for their customers. The company is...
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23andMe Explores Cause of Female Infertility
Oct 19
23andMe worked with scientists at the University of Cambridge (and ten other institutions) to learn more about PCOS. What they discovered could potentially lead to new avenues of treatment for the women who have it. Women who have PCOS tend to have difficulty getting pregnant. PCOS is an abbreviation for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. It can also be...
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23andMe Launched a Lupus Research Community
Jun 10
23andMe is a company that has the ability to gather a large amount of genetic data. There have been several times when 23andMe used that information to help people who have a specific genetically heritable disease, or a disease that does not yet have a cure. As such, 23andMe has launched a Lupus Research Community. In order to do this, 23andMe...
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23andMe Works with Genentech on Parkinson’s Disease
Apr 9
23andMe made an agreement with Genentech in January of 2015. The goal is to generate the whole genome sequencing data for approximately 3,000 people in 23andMe's Parkinson's disease community. The hope is that this collaboration will identify new therapeutic targets for treating Parkinson's Disease. Parkinson's Disease is a progressive disord...
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The Genetics that Influence Red Hair
Mar 9
People often assume that a person who has red hair must have Irish heritage. Sometimes, that might be correct. However, it is entirely possible for a person to have red hair and absolutely no Irish ancestors. The reason has to do with the genetics that influence red hair. It is understandable that people associate red hair with Irish ancestry...
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FDA Approves 23andMe’s Test for Bloom Syndrome
Mar 5
A few years ago, 23andMe offered a direct-to-consumer DNA test kit that provided both genealogical and health information. In November of 2013, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) required 23andMe to stop offering the health data. They were allowed to continue offering the genealogical information that came from the DNA testing. In February...
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How to Find Out What’s In Your Genes
Jan 22
Genealogy and genetics are two different fields of study that have become very overlapped in recent years. In addition to creating a family tree, many genealogists are making a medical family tree as well. Discovering what is in your genes can lead you to locating relatives you did not know existed. It can also point your toward health related deci...
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Experts Side with FDA Over 23andMe
Mar 26
You may have heard by now that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has ordered 23andMe to halt the marketing of its health-related direct-to-consumer DNA test kits. (It is still allowed to sell its DNA test kit for genealogy purposes). Many saw this as a controversial decision. The FDA had concerns about the potential health risks that a co...