Since launching in 2006, 23andMe has collected and analyzed DNA samples from 1.2-million customers, with the majority allowing their data to be used in research. [Despite facing controversy], the billion-dollar company has always said its mission is to help people access, understand, and benefit from the human genome.
One of 23andMe’s biggest discoveries came this summer with a paper linking 17 genetic tweaks, or SNPs, that appear to be tied to one’s risk of developing Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Past attempts to identify genetic connections with depression were extremely limited, largely because other researchers didn’t have enough data.
“Everyone is recognizing that this is a numbers problem,” Ashley Winslow, director of neurogenetics at the University of Pennsylvania…”It’s hard if not impossible to get to the numbers that we saw in the 23andMe study.”
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23andMe has so far discovered hundreds of genetic links to traits, including parts of DNA that relate to freckling, sneezing, hair loss, not liking the taste of cilantro, smelling asparagus in your pee, allergies, asthma, motion sickness, emotional response, age of puberty, bone density, myopia, hypothyroidism, problem drinking, sleep habits, neuroticism, Parkinson’s, cancer, and more.
Related on the SLP
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“We’re just scratching the surface of our understanding,” founder Anne Wojcicki said earlier [in 2016].
The GLP aggregated and excerpted this blog/article to reflect the diversity of news, opinion, and analysis. Read full, original post: 23andMe has discovered hundreds of genetic links to traits, and much more is coming
