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In recent years, at-home DNA tests have become increasingly popular. They are relatively affordable and easy to use, and they can provide a wealth of information about your ancestry and health. But what if you're pregnant? Can you get a DNA test while pregnant? The short answer is yes, you can. There are a few different ways to collect DNA samples, and none of them are harmful to you or your baby.
In most cases, DNA testing during pregnancy is done for a medical reason - diagnosing a condition or confirming an ultrasound finding.
However, if you are keen to know about your ancestry or simply curious about your DNA markers, at-home DNA kits are a popular option.
The DNA collection kits come with instructions that are pretty easy to follow.
Most companies like 23andMe and AncestryDNA require your saliva sample for testing.
This just involves spitting into a tube a few times, sealing it, and sending it back.
Once the lab receives your sample, they extract your DNA information from it and generate reports.
DNA test results provide a wealth of information ranging from your ancestral and ethnicity details to risk for various health conditions.
They can pinpoint specific regions your ancestors lived in.
Other fun-to-learn information, like why you dislike cilantro or why you are a tea/coffee person, can also be understood through genetic tests.
You can also learn about your health risks -
Many companies let you choose between basic and comprehensive packages - the former includes fun information like ancestry and ethnicity and genetic traits like flat feet.
You can get everything in the basic package and the aforementioned health information with the latter.
However, knowing that your baby may not have all the traits highlighted in your genetic test results is important.
The baby’s DNA is half that of the biological mother and half that of the biological father.
Furthermore, only some of the traits may be expressed in your baby’s DNA.
For example, while you may have flat feet, your baby may not.
Disclaimer: Each pregnancy is unique. It is important to consult your medical practitioner if you have any questions about taking a DNA test during pregnancy.
Yes, it is generally safe to take a DNA test while pregnant.
Pregnancy can make you apprehensive about doing things to your body.
But non-invasive testing, like providing a blood or saliva sample or cheek swab, doesn’t affect your baby in any way.
DNA tests can provide insights into your ancestral history.
Learning about this can give you or your child a sense of personal identity and allow you to connect with your communities.
Learning about your health risk can help with early testing and preventive measures.
For example, if you learn that you are at risk for osteoporosis, taking preventive actions like eating food rich in vitamin D and calcium and regular exercise can help you escape the condition.
Your own DNA test may not necessarily tell you if your baby is at risk for certain health factors, but it helps you be aware of the possibilities.
For example, even if your child doesn’t have a risk for osteoporosis, following preventive measures such as the ones mentioned above will benefit their health no matter what.
Disclaimer: At-home DNA genetic tests aren’t for diagnostic use. Always consult a qualified medical practitioner if you believe your child may be at risk of serious health conditions. They may wish to opt for other types of genetic testing.
While you can learn a lot about your health through these tests, only a doctor can interpret your genetic risks and advise you on safety precautions for yourself and your child.
Dealing with questions of paternity while pregnant can be extremely stressful.
Recent advancements in technology allow us to find a child’s biological father with the highest accuracy before even the child is born.
This type of test done during pregnancy is called a prenatal DNA test.
Prenatal DNA testing makes it possible to confirm paternity using a DNA profile as early as 7 weeks into the pregnancy.
For prenatal testing or paternity testing while pregnant, there are a few options available:
The American Pregnancy Association recommends using the non-invasive prenatal paternity test or waiting until after birth to test for paternity.
The easiest way to get a DNA test done during pregnancy is to order it on the internet.
You can either order a DNA kit or choose a service to use your existing DNA data.
Many local drug stores sell DNA kits from popular genetic testing companies.
Certain drug stores may also sell paternity tests, but the validity and accuracy of these tests may not be up to standard.
The best way to get a NIPP, amnio, or CVS would be through your medical practitioner.
Getting a non-invasive DNA test while pregnant is perfectly fine and safe for the baby.
Providing salivary or blood samples shouldn’t affect your or the baby’s health in any way.
DNA tests can provide some interesting insights into your genealogical background that you may wish to share with your child.
Further, it can also provide important information about your health risks, some of which may also impact your child.
It is important to discuss any concerning test results with your doctor.
From Marilyn Monroe to Eva Mendes. Beauty marks have been a symbol of femininity and woman power for nearly a century.
Beauty marks are skin growths that are usually darker than the skin and may appear black or brown.
They are also called moles or birthmarks.
Though they may occur anywhere on the body, they usually appear on the face, neck, shoulder, or collarbone.
Beauty marks usually appear in early childhood or during early adulthood.
They occur when melanocytes grow in clusters or clumps.
Though moles are mostly harmless, in some rare cases, they may turn precancerous.
For this reason, it is important to monitor any change in color, shape, size, and if it starts to itch or bleed.
Freckles are flat brown spots on the skin that arise due to the overproduction of melanin or an increase in melanin-producing melanocytes.
Unlike moles that form without a known cause, freckles usually form as multiple skin spots on repeated exposure to the sun.
Freckles are more common in people who are fair and have red hair.
Beauty marks are quite often confused with freckles, but here is how they are different:
| Beauty Marks | Freckles |
| Black or brown, often darker than freckles | Brown |
| Occur when melanocytes (skin pigment-producing cells) grow in clusters or clumps | Occur when there is excessive production of melanin on exposure to sunlight |
| Found more commonly on the face, neck, shoulder, and collarbone | Found more commonly on the sun-exposed parts of the body |
| They may be oval or round, smooth or wrinkled, flat or raised | They are often flat, beige to brown, circular spots that are the size of a nail head |
| Usually benign but may turn cancerous | Are always benign |
| Have irregular shapes with uneven edges | Irregular-shaped but well-defined borders |
Beauty marks are mostly harmless but may turn cancerous in some cases. If you feel your beauty mark looks different, you must consult your dermatologist to determine if it is skin cancer.
Here are some signs and symptoms to look out for
The number and pattern of beauty marks differ in people. Though they are a cluster of melanocytes, they are benign.
For this reason, scientists have not studied them extensively.
Though genetic factors may determine the presence of beauty marks, these factors are not well-understood.
Beauty marks may be present at birth or develop during infancy.
When the beauty marks are present at birth, they are called congenital nevi, which are almost always benign.
Dysplastic nevi or atypical moles are large, irregularly-shaped moles that can occur at any age.
Though they are uncommon, they may develop in large numbers and increase the individual’s risk for melanoma.
Hereditary plays a role in the development of dysplastic nevi.
Excessive sun exposure can also increase the number of moles a person has.
However, since moles can be found on parts of the body not exposed to the sun, some other biologic processes may be involved in their development.
Several studies have been conducted to determine the effect of genetics on the number and position of beauty marks:
A study published in the Pigment Cell & Melanoma Research states that genes may influence the number of moles and where you have them in your body.
A study from King’s College London found that in women, the lowest genetic effect on mole count was on the back and the abdomen (26%) and the highest on the lower limbs (69%).
The larger number of moles on women’s lower limbs was stated to be due to a sex-specific genetic makeup rather than sun exposure.
The genetics of melanoma (a type of skin cancer) are widely studied, but not much is known about those which cause moles.
However, variations in some genes like FGFR3, PIK3CA, HRAS, and BRAF are said to be involved in the development of benign moles.
Of these genes, one that is more widely studied is the BRAF.
The BRAF gene is located on chromosome 7.
Variations in the BRAF gene may produce an altered protein that may cause the melanocytes to aggregate, resulting in mole formation.
It has been found that this altered protein also stimulates the production of tumor suppressor protein p15, which prevents the moles from growing too big.
Companies like 23andMe, Ancestry DNA, and Family Tree DNA (FTDNA) enjoy popularity in the ancestry DNA testing arena.
You can learn interesting insights about different aspects of your health and wellness.
DNA raw data provided by them is used to obtain additional health reports from third-party DNA raw data analysis tools.
Xcode's DNA raw data analysis tool is compatible with the raw data information from many more service providers.
Here is a comprehensive list.
*For companies not on the list, you can email us at hello@xcode.life to check compatibility.
**We have temporarily discontinued the processing of whole genome files from Nebula, Self Decode, Helix, and other formats. Please check back with us in 6 months for updates.
At Xcode Life your data privacy is our top priority. Which is why we are one of the few companies that let our users have complete control over their data. Find out the different ways by which Xcode Life protects user data:
Also read:
What Else Can I do With my 23andme, Ancestry DNA, FTDNA raw data?
10 Amazing Tools For 23andme Raw Data Analysis
Loneliness is a complex and often painful emotion felt by people around the world.
Most people have experienced it at one point or another. But for some, it's a constant battle.
Though its causes are varied, new research suggests that loneliness may be partially attributable to genetics.
Genetically-informative studies have estimated that genetic factors account for approximately 40–50 % of the variance in loneliness.
Loneliness has been linked to an increased risk of premature death, heart disease, anxiety, and depression.
It's also been shown to contribute to cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease.
So, it's clear that loneliness is not something to be taken lightly.
There's a lot of stigma surrounding loneliness, due to which it's been trivialized and ignored for many decades.
But loneliness is emerging as a public health problem.
According to a report on social isolation and loneliness in the UK, 200,000 older people hadn’t had an interaction with a friend or relative for more than 30 days.
Further, the report states that the impact of social isolation and loneliness is “twice as harmful as obesity and is comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes a day or being an alcoholic.”
According to Cigna’s 2020 Loneliness Index measuring loneliness and social isolation, 61% of Americans reported that they sometimes or always feel lonely.
The numbers were even higher in younger people – 79% of Generation Z and 71% of millennials reported loneliness.
According to the CDC, many adults older than 50 experience social isolation and loneliness to the extent that it impacts their health.
Recent studies found that:
Loneliness is a hereditary trait that served to improve our chances of survival as a species.
To the archaic human, loneliness sent a paradoxical signal to the brain.
It was a motivating force to connect with others to increase the chances of passing one’s genes to the next generation.
On the other hand, loneliness also triggers the body’s fight-or-flight response.
When hunting alone, loneliness brings about anxiety and hyper-vigilance, which can be handy under dangerous encounters.
Researchers at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine conducted the first GWAS for loneliness.
Previous studies have examined the heritability of loneliness in twins, children, and adults.
After analyzing the results of these studies, the researchers estimated that 37 to 55 percent of loneliness is influenced by genetics.
Older research also pinpoints genes that regulate the levels of brain chemicals like dopamine and serotonin contributing to loneliness.
But these studies have relied on only small sample sizes.
The GWAS considered genetic and health information of 10,760 people aged 50 and older.
The participants were made to answer questions like:
The research team found that loneliness as a tendency to feel lonely over a lifetime (and not occasional loneliness due to circumstances) has a modest heritability of 14-27%.
The lowered genetic contribution arrived at in this study could be because the team considered genetic changes that were common in the general population instead of the rare ones.
Drawing on survey responses from 487,647 participants of the UK Biobank scheme, a study identified 15 gene regions linked to loneliness.
The researchers also underlined a possible link between obesity and loneliness, suggesting that one might be driving the other.
The same genes that can drive the tendency for weight gain can also increase the risk for loneliness.
The team also identified genetic overlaps of loneliness with other traits like depression, obesity, and heart health, indicating that these traits combine to increase the risk of loneliness.
Two people in very similar situations may feel differently about whether or not they feel lonely, which boils down to the genetic code they’re born with.
This, however, doesn’t mean that there’s a “loneliness genes” or that how we feel is entirely dependent on our genes.
A host of genetic and non-genetic factors are likely to influence loneliness.
Loneliness is a growing problem, with an increasing number of not just older adults but also millennials and Gen-Zs experiencing it. The first GWAS on loneliness reported its heritability of 14-27%. Loneliness also shares genetic links with other conditions like obesity, depression, and heart disease. In fact, researchers report that obesity and loneliness can drive each other. However, there’s no loneliness gene reported so far. Loneliness has both genetic and non-genetic influencers.
Cinnamon is a spice obtained from the bark of the Cinnamonum family.
A popular spice native to the Caribbean, South America, and Southeast America, cinnamon is known to have strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic and antimicrobial properties.
Gluten is a family of proteins found in grains like wheat, rye, and barley and gives dough elasticity.
Cinnamon, being a spice, is gluten-free.
While most people can safely consume gluten, an increasing number of them are becoming intolerant.
People with conditions like celiac disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and gluten sensitivity must avoid gluten consumption to prevent adverse reactions.
To avoid side effects or allergic reactions due to gluten, many people choose to go gluten-free.
A gluten-free diet is important to manage the signs and symptoms of gluten-related health conditions.
A gluten-free diet is also important for people who haven’t been diagnosed with a gluten-related medical condition but wish to experience other benefits such as weight loss, improved energy, and better overall health.
Gluten intolerance is a condition in which you may get sick after eating gluten.
Common symptoms that you may experience in the case of gluten intolerance are nausea, bloating, and feeling tired.
Gluten intolerance is also called non-celiac gluten sensitivity.
Since people with celiac disease are gluten intolerant, many confuse the two conditions.
Gluten intolerance and celiac disease are different.
People with celiac disease have an autoimmune response to gluten, which means their body presumes gluten as an infectious agent and launches an immune reaction toward it.
This inflammatory reaction damages the digestive tract and results in symptoms characteristic of the disease.
Celiac disease occurs due to the presence of an abnormal gene change.
Gluten intolerance affects nearly 6% of the US population.
Anyone can develop gluten intolerance, though it is more common in women.
While some people are born with gluten intolerance, others develop the condition later in life.
The Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) system of genes is associated with the production of cell-surface proteins and helps regulate the immune system.
Six single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the HLA gene complex, namely HLA DQ, HLA DQ 2.5, HLA DQ 2.2(3 SNPs), and HLA DQ7, are associated with gluten intolerance.
Image: HLA Genes and Gluten Intolerance
The HLA DQ genes are strong predictors of celiac diseases.
A study conducted to understand individuals' susceptibility to gluten intolerance found that people with celiac disease had the risk alleles in the HLA DQ2 and HLA DQ8 genes.
In another study, people with the following genes and respective variants were found to have a reaction to gluten in the diet:
| Gene | Risk Variant |
| HLA DQ | G variant |
| HLA DQ 2.5 | T variant |
| HLA DQ 2.2 | G variant |
| HLA DQ7 | A variant |
Cinnamon is a spice, and so it is naturally gluten-free.
Though cinnamon is gluten-free, manufacturers may add some flour to help with caking.
In this case, ground cinnamon may contain some gluten.
Additionally, there may be contamination in the manufacturing facility, wherein ground cinnamon may contain gluten.
If you buy fresh, unground cinnamon, you can be sure it does not contain gluten.
If you are purchasing cinnamon powder, you should check out the product's label to confirm the presence or absence of gluten.
If the manufacturer says the cinnamon is gluten-free, it may not contain any gluten-containing ingredients.
In some cases, the manufacturer can say the product is ‘certified gluten-free; this means it may contain less than 20ppm of gluten.
Whole exome sequencing (WES) is a powerful tool that can provide insights into the genetic causes of disease. WES can identify mutations in genes associated with inherited conditions, diagnose rare diseases, and guide treatment decisions. Here we provide an overview of WES, how it is performed, and its potential applications.
Genetic testing has been employed in healthcare areas like cancer and prenatal diagnostics for some time now.
Whole exome sequencing is a popular genetic test choice, and that’s increasingly being used to understand what is causing a condition or a set of symptoms.
Exome sequencing is done at certified laboratories by specialists who extract the DNA from saliva or blood.
The geneticists and bioinformaticians then sequence the exome from the DNA extracted to look for mutations and variation.
The entire DNA content of a human, called the genome, is made up of more than 3 billion base pairs (meaning: the letters A, T, G, and C).
Not all of these 3 billion letters can provide instructions for forming proteins.
Only 1-2% of the entire DNA can form protein. This portion of the DNA, also called the coding region, is known as the exome.
85% of all genetic changes associated with diseases can be found in the exome.
So, in clinical settings, whole-exome sequencing is more commonly done than whole-genome sequencing.
The whole exome sequencing is done in three steps.
There are many techniques to isolate the DNA from the sample, and the method employed depends on the application.
Commonly arrays are used, where probes are designed to capture the portions of interest.
DNA sequencing determines the order of the four letters (A, T, G, and C) that make up the DNA molecule.
Sanger sequencing technology is the original one that was a breakthrough in helping scientists determine the human genetic code.
But it was a time-consuming and expensive technology.
Fast forward to a few years later, next-generation sequencing (NGS) took the genetic world by storm with a faster turnaround time and less heavy on the pocket.
With NGS, it is possible to sequence large amounts of DNA, like all the portions that contain the code to produce proteins (exome).
Analysis of the human genome is a data-heavy process.
Decoding as little as 1% of human DNA produces data of around 8 GB.
There are several programs to decode these reads.
Variants (or genetic changes) are present in several file formats like FASTQ, BAM/CRAM, and VCF.
A rare variant is a genetic change that alters gene function and occurs at a low frequency in a population.
Rare variants may play a significant role in complex diseases.
Since most disease-causing variants are found in the exome, exome sequencing remains a very active and ongoing area of research in discovering rare variants.
Mendelian disorders are a type of genetic disorder that occurs when an alteration in single genes is inherited from the parents, resulting in disease.
Mendelian disorders are typically very severe.
So the genetic mutation causing the disorder is presumed to be very rare in the population.
Exome sequencing uses advanced technologies that can help discover these variants.
Exome sequencing can help identify the underlying genetic mutation causing a disease.
Having this information can influence the diagnostic approach and treatment options.
Further, it can predict the inheritance pattern of the condition, making it possible to test at-risk family members.
There are many potential benefits of exome sequencing.
There are many psychological repercussions to getting your genome sequenced.
Since exome sequencing can reveal most disease-causing variants, you may uncover that you are at risk for a condition you weren’t originally planning to investigate.
Since you share your DNA with other family members, this type of finding can have an impact on them as well.
Talking to your healthcare provider about all the risks involved before electing for whole exome sequencing is important.
