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Friday, December 13th
Ancestry is the obvious choice if you want to do a DNA test to find out more about where you come from or who you're related to. Over 22 million people have tested here, and created more than 130 million family trees (many of which are connected to DNA results). You can choose just the AncestryDNA kit or AncestryDNA + Traits (if you want to know if you're genetically likely to go bald, for example). Membership is optional, but we recommend a subscription if you're trying to really document your family tree with official records. The kits are affordably priced at $99 (for the one without Traits), but it's easy to snag it for half-price or less during Ancestry's frequent sales. We're addicted to using Ancestry to fill in all the leaves and branches on our family tree, and to connect with cousins far and wide. It's our most recommended DNA testing kit for all non-health-related purposes, easily earning a 5-star score.
23andMe has been one of the biggest names in home DNA testing kits for almost 20 years. While you can use them to connect with relatives and build your family tree, 23andMe's tests focus more deeply on health and wellness connections to genetic factors, like being predisposed to develop diabetes or cancer. You can even use 23andMe to access advice from clinicians who specialize in genetics. Unfortunately, though, 23andMe may not be around forever, plagued in recent years by significant data breaches and the looming threat of bankruptcy (which could mean that your DNA results are bought by a company that doesn't offer the same privacy and security promised by 23andMe). For all of those reasons, we no longer recommend 23andMe's DNA testing kits.
DNA testing kits have become super popular, and it's easy to see why. They're like opening a personal time capsule of your family history, health information, or even discovering fun quirks about your genes. Ready to learn more about yourself at a cellular level?
Let's take a look at why you might want to take one of these tests, what information DNA testing kits can (and can't) provide, how accurate they are, and some helpful tips for choosing the right one. One of the most common motivations is ancestry. Many people want to know where their family history traces back to. Whether it's discovering you have roots in a different continent or confirming family lore, DNA tests often give people a deeper connection to their heritage.
There's also been a rise in interest for proving a close genetic connection to countries that offer "citizenship by descent”: if your grandfather was, say, Italian and he was born after March 1861, you could use your DNA test (and the supporting documents you might find among the testing site's resources) as part of proving your relationship.
Then, there's the genetic health angle. Some tests go beyond ancestry and can tell you if you're predisposed to certain health conditions or traits. Imagine learning if you're likely to be lactose intolerant or if you carry a gene that increases your risk for certain diseases. It helps people make proactive decisions about their health or understand their family's medical history better.
Individuals also use DNA tests for finding living relatives. You might be interested in finding distant cousins or even uncovering long-lost family connections. Some DNA tests can match you with people who share portions of your DNA, helping you build a family tree with solid scientific backing. DNA testing kits have become a huge resource for people who were adopted or donor-conceived, enabling them to do some sleuthing and find out, based on who their DNA matches are, the identity of their biological parent(s).
Just be aware that taking a DNA test, especially those that offer connections with living matches, can be something of a Pandora's box. Current estimates from organizations like DNAngels say that anywhere from 5% to 29% of people taking a DNA test experience an "NPE” - a non-paternal event or sometimes referred to as "not parent expected”. Instagram reels and TikTok videos are full of test-takers who were stunned to learn that their dad isn't actually their biological father, or that they have 25 half-siblings through sperm donor conception. Most people won't have that kind of "DNA surprise”, but you should understand that it's a possibility.
When deciding on a DNA testing kit, here are a few key factors to consider:
To help you choose a DNA testing kit, the experts at Top Consumer Reviews have evaluated, tested, and ranked some of today's most popular services. The one that's right for you depends on what you hope to learn, so take your time exploring your options. We're confident that you'll be able to uncover fascinating insights about yourself and your family history while having a little fun with science along the way.
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