In the Genes

[l33tminion]

A while ago, I sent a DNA sample to a lab for analysis (because that seemed like an interesting thing to do and they were offering their complete edition test at a steep discount for DNA Day). Here are a few interesting things I learned:

• I'm in maternal haplogroup K1a1b1a (centering around Europe, northern Africa, and the Middle East c. 500 years ago), paternal haplogroup J2 (centering around southern Europe, northern Africa, the Middle East, and western Asia c. 500 years ago).
• My genes put me at a higher risk for a few conditions, including colon cancer (would have predicted from family history), age-related macular degenearion (would have predicted from other info about my eyes), and restless leg syndrome (would not have predicted).
• My genes put me a lower than average risk for a lot of autoimmune conditions.
• My genes put me at average risk of obesity, which is good for the future prospects of my exercise program. I'm also lacking a gene that preliminary studies suggest causes difficulty in weight-loss despite diet and exercise.
• I'm not a carrier for any of the terrible-but-recessive genetic conditions that they tested for, which is good to know.
• My previous lactose intolerance was likely caused by genetic factors.
• My body favoring muscle strength over muscle endurance is also genetic.
• I've got the male pattern baldness gene. If I had to guess (based on my mom's dad's and brothers' hair), I'd say that my mom probably has only one copy of the gene, giving me and my brother a 50% chance of greatly reduced balding odds, but luck was not with me on that one.