Coronavirus and Your Genes
23andMe is launching a study to look into the genetics of symptom severity
Why do some people infected with the new coronavirus get seriously ill and die while others experience only mild symptoms? It’s a question that’s puzzling scientists. Age, underlying health, and the amount of exposure likely determine how severe a person’s disease is. But genetics could play a role, too.
23andMe, the popular DNA testing company, launched a study this week to understand how genetics may affect these differences. Previous research has found that mutations in certain genes can influence a person’s susceptibility to infectious diseases like hepatitis B and C, HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis.
Beginning this week, the company is asking customers to participate in the study. 23andMe has sold more than 10 million of its DNA testing kits, and about 80% of those customers have consented to letting 23andMe and its scientific collaborators use their personal data for research. That represents a huge pool of people to draw from. The company says it hopes to enroll hundreds of thousands of U.S. customers in the study, which will include people who have tested positive for the virus and people who haven’t.
Customers will be asked to fill out an initial survey and will then be invited to take…
