Color of Genes

Color of GenesColor of GenesColor of Genes

Color of Genes

Color of GenesColor of GenesColor of Genes
More

Human genetics: Helping historically underrepresented communities of color

Human genetics: Helping historically underrepresented communities of colorHuman genetics: Helping historically underrepresented communities of colorHuman genetics: Helping historically underrepresented communities of colorHuman genetics: Helping historically underrepresented communities of color

Get started on your path to precision health

I want to learn more

Human genetics: Helping historically underrepresented communities of color

Human genetics: Helping historically underrepresented communities of colorHuman genetics: Helping historically underrepresented communities of colorHuman genetics: Helping historically underrepresented communities of colorHuman genetics: Helping historically underrepresented communities of color

Get started on your path to precision health

I want to learn more

Who We Are

Our Mission: To connect the African diaspora, African Americans, and other communities of color historically known to be underserved and underrepresented in human genetics research, screening, diagnostic testing, and genetic counseling, with certified genetics professionals of color for access to culturally conscious genetic services, products, and evidence-based health resources.  


Our Core Values: To serve the underserved and communities of color who continually face health inequities. We put the health needs of individuals and their families first by providing the highest quality of health education and access to resources in the following domains: human genetics, health promotion, disease prevention.  


Our Commitment: We pledge to help educate you about the interplays between human genetics, nutrition and wellness, disease, and health to better equip you with making informed decisions about your health for improved health outcomes.  


Our Goal: To ensure you have the opportunity for optimal health and a fulfilling quality of life. We achieve this by educating you with important evidence-based information and by connecting you to a gamut of resources, services, and products, including access to genetics professionals, to understand your risk for disease based on your genetics (genes, genetic variation, and heredity), nutrition and wellness, and health status.

An Important Fact

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, new analysis shows that younger African Americans (in their 20s, 30s, and 40s) are living with or dying of many diseases typically found in White Americans at older ages.

Color of Genes

Human genetics research has evolved to give meaning to the 'color of genes' on the basis of ethnicity and ancestry and why different populations, namely African Americans, are more at risk for developing life-threatening diseases or dying from diseases compared to other ethnic populations.

Why are communities of color most at risk for developing a life-threatening disease?

Our Blog

Dear friend,

Keeping your health in mind, Color of Genes is here to help.

We want to educate you to make sure you understand your risk for developing a life-threatening disease based on your genetic makeup and ethnicity as simple as 1-2-3.

Frequently Asked Questions

Connect with us at info@colorofgenes.com for questions and to access human genetic resources aimed to improve your health, nutrition, and wellness. 

Human genetics research examines why we are at risk for developing a chronic inherited life-threatening disease(s), including who is at most risk for disease and death from disease based on our genes and ethnicity, and what we can do to mitigate our risk(s).  This is done through methods called whole genome sequencing, whole exome sequencing, or genotyping. Genetic testing, from these methods, can improve our chances of fighting a disease majorly.


Our genes are made up of DNA and are a part of what we inherit from our parents.  Genes are vital for discovering our risk(s) for developing a disease(s). Things like blood, spit, and urine are a part of our DNA.


Yes, several.  This is because scientists like to keep track of genes by assigning them to different disease categories. For example, the gene named TCF7L2 (which means Transcription Factor 7-Like 2) is strongly associated with Type 2 Diabetes risk, especially among African Americans.


We have anywhere from 20,000 to 25,000 genes.  But out of these, 78 genes are known to be life-threatening, according to the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics, because they put us at risk for developing or dying from a chronic inherited disease.


You can do one or several things immediately.  First, relax and take a deep breath. You are not going to die anytime soon just because of your genetic makeup. Next, get a genetic test to determine your disease susceptibility (also known as your disease risk).


A genetic test provides you with information about your risk for developing a chronic inherited life-threatening disease like cancer, even when symptoms are not apparent. Genetic tests vary because there are different kinds. You can take a genetic test at home or with a health care professional, for example, by using your blood, spit, or urine for analysis. Your results can be given to you in as early as a few weeks.


  • Diagnostic testing to determine if you have a suspected disease or disorder like breast cancer, ovarian cancer, Type 2 Diabetes, or Huntington's disease.
  • Pre-symptomatic and predictive testing to determine if you have family history of a genetic disease or disorder and want to get a test before you have any symptoms to tell you if you're at risk for developing a condition. 
  • Carrier testing to determine if you belong to an ethnic group, like being African American, that is known to be high-risk for developing certain diseases or disorders, like Type 2 Diabetes or sickle cell anemia, or if you have a family history of a genetic disease or disorder. This type of test can detect genes associated with a variation of diseases as well as tell you if you and your partner are carriers for the same conditions.
  • Pharmacogenetics testing to determine which of your genes affect the way you metabolize medicine. This means that if you have a particular health condition or disease, this type of genetic test can help you understand what medication and dosage is most effective and beneficial for you.
  • Prenatal testing to detect, in pregnant individuals, some types of abnormalities in your unborn baby's genes, like down syndrome.
  • Newborn screening to determine if your newborn is at risk for developing a certain genetic disease or abnormality that causes a specific disease condition, like congenital hypothyroidism.
  • Preimplantation testing if you want to understand genetic abnormalities and you are attempting to conceive a child. A result from this type of genetic test is that your embryos that do not have abnormalities can be implanted into your uterus with the hope of achieving a healthy pregnancy.


Contact us at info@colorofgenes.com to get access to the best genetic testing resources and information about which genetics professional to speak to.


Human Genomic and Genetic Resources

Talking Glossary of Genetic Terms

Talking Glossary of Genetic Terms

Talking Glossary of Genetic Terms

https://www.genome.gov/genetics-glossary

Genetic Science Learning Center

Talking Glossary of Genetic Terms

Talking Glossary of Genetic Terms

http://learn.genetics.utah.edu

Genomics and Precision Health

Talking Glossary of Genetic Terms

National Society of Genetic Counselors

https://www.cdc.gov/genomics/default.htm

National Society of Genetic Counselors

National Society of Genetic Counselors

National Society of Genetic Counselors

https://www.aboutgeneticcounselors.org

In Those Genes Podcast

National Society of Genetic Counselors

In Those Genes Podcast

https://inthosegenes.com

Medline Plus Genetics

National Society of Genetic Counselors

In Those Genes Podcast

https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/

Human Genetics

Genetics vs. Genomics Fact Sheet

Learn the Genetics of Diabetes

https://www.springer.com/journal/439

Learn the Genetics of Diabetes

Genetics vs. Genomics Fact Sheet

Learn the Genetics of Diabetes

https://www.diabetes.org/diabetes/genetics-diabetes

Genetics vs. Genomics Fact Sheet

Genetics vs. Genomics Fact Sheet

Genes and Genetics for Kids, Teens, and Parents

https://www.genome.gov/about-genomics/fact-sheets/Genetics-vs-Genomics

Genes and Genetics for Kids, Teens, and Parents

Uncovering The Genetic Roots of African Americans

Genes and Genetics for Kids, Teens, and Parents

https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/genes-genetic-disorders.html

Uncovering The Genetic Roots of African Americans

Uncovering The Genetic Roots of African Americans

Uncovering The Genetic Roots of African Americans

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pjf0qKdzmrc

American Society of Human Genetics

Uncovering The Genetic Roots of African Americans

Uncovering The Genetic Roots of African Americans

https://www.ashg.org/discover-genetics/building-blocks/

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.  We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality,  tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects  one directly, affects all indirectly.”


Martin Luther King, Jr.

Copyright © 2023 Color of Genes - All Rights Reserved.


Powered by GoDaddy

This website uses cookies.

We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.

Accept