" My sister learned she was a carrier for a recessive disease, Bloom syndrome, late in one of her pregnancies. I remember the panicked call and the weeks of worry as she and her husband awaited his test results; if he was also a carrier, this meant their daughter had a one in four chance of being born with the disorder. "
- Anne Wojcicki

In the given quote, Anne Wojcicki describes a personal experience involving her sister who found out she was a carrier of Bloom syndrome during pregnancy. This discovery led to significant anxiety and concern for both the sister and her husband as they awaited genetic test results for the father-to-be. If he too was a carrier, their unborn child would have a one in four chance of inheriting the condition.

The quote delves into the profound emotional impact that learning about potential genetic disorders can have on families. It highlights the fear and uncertainty surrounding the possibility of passing on a recessive disease to an offspring, even when both parents may be unaware they are carriers. This situation exemplifies how modern genetics has brought new dimensions to family planning, introducing complex ethical questions and personal dilemmas that were previously unimagined. The quote also underscores the importance of genetic testing in understanding one’s health risks and making informed reproductive choices.

Anne Wojcicki is a prominent figure in genomics and consumer health technology, known for co-founding 23andMe, a pioneering company in direct-to-consumer genetic testing. Her insights into genetics are deeply personal and rooted in her own experiences with family members facing the challenges of genetic disorders. Through her work at 23andMe, she aims to make genetic information accessible and understandable to everyone, helping individuals navigate similar emotional and medical landscapes as described in her quote.