From Watershed DNA: A Note About the 23andMe Diabetes Risk Report

By Grey Genetics / Watershed DNA · Mar 2019

We've written previously about what 23andMe results can and can't tell you about colorectal cancer risk and breast cancer risk. When 23andMe released a Diabetes Risk Report, genetic counselor Brianne Kirkpatrick at Watershed DNA wrote a thorough analysis of it — and we thought it was good enough to share directly.

The short version: most conditions that affect people — including type 2 diabetes — are complex in origin. Even when they're "genetic," they're influenced by dozens to thousands of genetic variants (polygenic), each with a tiny individual effect, interacting with environmental factors like diet, exercise, and smoking. It's as important to understand what a DNA test can't tell you as what it can.

Brianne's analysis walks through the limitations disclosed at the bottom of the 23andMe diabetes report — and explains why they matter before you act on the results.