MyGeneRank: A Digital Platform for Next-Generation Genetic Studies

Many conditions affecting health are caused by a combination of environment, behaviors, and
genes. While individuals can alter some factors in their lives to reduce the chances of
developing different diseases (e.g., not smoking cigarettes), the contribution from genetic
risk encoded by DNA remains with people throughout their lives. Scientists are still trying
to determine the entirety of genetic factors that influence disease, but for some conditions
it has been shown that the factors identified thus far can begin to identify people at high
to low genetic risk. Looking across the genome, scientists can calculate a cumulative genetic
risk score - which can be used to rank genetic risk compared to other worldwide populations.

The goal of this study is to determine how genetic risk influences health decisions and other
things that can be controlled in life. The first genetic risk score is calculated for
coronary heart disease (CAD). CAD ultimately leads to heart attacks, heart failure and
sometimes sudden cardiac death and is the main reason heart disease remains as the number one
cause of death worldwide. Other researchers have shown that this genetic risk score can be
used to identify people with low, intermediate, and high risk for coronary heart disease. It
has also been shown that the use of statins (cholesterol lowering drugs) provides greater
benefit and protection against heart attack for people with high genetic risk for coronary
artery disease.

Leveraging the Apple ResearchKit and the ResearchKit linked 23andMe API, customers of 23andMe
are able to provide researchers access to their genomic data. Participants will use the
ResearchKit app to provide consent, view study information, answer surveys, and contact the
study team.

Participants will be asked to complete 3 surveys. One before viewing genetic risk scores, one
immediately after viewing scores, and one 6 months after viewing scores.