23andMe Identifies Genetic Variants Predicting GLP-1 Drug Response and Side Effects

23andMe published research in Nature on April 8, 2026, identifying genetic variants in two genes that predict whether patients will experience substantial weight loss on GLP-1 obesity drugs and whether they will suffer nausea or vomiting, which are among the most common side effects. Adam Auton, vice president at 23andMe Research Institute and senior author of the study, stated that genetics plays a role in GLP-1 drug efficacy and side effects. While outside researchers expressed interest and some were impressed by the findings, others doubted whether the genetic results would meaningfully impact patient care decisions. 23andMe plans to make this genetic information available to consumers through its Total Health platform, allowing users to access predictions about their likely response to GLP-1 drugs.

Genetic variants predicting GLP-1 drug response and side effects

• ▪Adam Auton stated that genetics is playing a role in terms of GLP-1 efficacy and side effects
• ▪Adam Auton is the senior author on the paper about genetic changes predicting GLP-1 drug response published in Nature
• ▪Nausea and vomiting are among the most common side effects of GLP-1 drugs.
• ▪Specific changes in two genes appear to help predict whether patients will lose substantial weight on GLP-1 drugs used to treat obesity
• ▪Adam Auton is a vice president at the 23andMe Research Institute
• ▪Specific changes in two genes appear to help predict whether GLP-1 drugs will cause nausea or vomiting in patients

Research credibility and clinical applicability concerns

• ▪Some outside researchers doubted whether the genetic results on GLP-1 drug response would impact patient care
• ▪Outside researchers were impressed and intrigued by the 23andMe findings on genetic prediction of GLP-1 drug response

23andMe's commercial integration of genetic findings

• ▪Consumers who use 23andMe's Total Health platform will have access to information about genes that predict GLP-1 drug response and side effects

Perspective of 23andMe

• ▪23andMe's research on genetic variants predicting GLP-1 drug response represents a significant advancement in personalized medicine for obesity treatment
• ▪23andMe Total Health platform provides consumers direct access to genetic information about their likely response to GLP-1 drugs

Perspective of Outside researchers skeptical of clinical impact

• ▪Skeptical outside researchers doubt the practical utility of genetic testing for GLP-1 drug response in real-world patient care settings
• ▪The genetic variants identified by 23andMe may not be clinically significant enough to change how physicians prescribe GLP-1 drugs to patients

Perspective of Outside researchers impressed by findings

• ▪The 23andMe study published in Nature provides intriguing evidence linking specific genetic variants to GLP-1 drug efficacy and side effects