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Friday, December 13th
myDNA's testing options have one goal: to help you learn more about your health at a genetic level. In business for 20 years and in partnership with its own lab, Gene by Gene, myDNA's test kits can theoretically help you to identify the root cause of your mysterious health conditions or to take preventative measures to extend your life and well-being. However, you can only get pricing by contacting the company for a quote, and there are lots of client reviews complaining that at any price, these DNA tests don't offer enough value. If you need in-depth genetic testing for health reasons, we'd recommend going with a higher-rated company instead of myDNA.
CRI Genetics offers two deep dives into your DNA, either just your ancestry and some interesting traits, or all of that plus 80+ health reports. They claim that their DNA testing kits can take you back up to 150,000 years (!), and many people are excited to get their report back saying that they had long-ago ancestors in Kenya or Vietnam, despite thinking that their background was 100% Western European. But, we're not convinced of the accuracy of CRI Genetics' reports - and neither is the FTC, who got a $700K civil penalty levied against this company for false marketing, among other things. This isn't a DNA testing kit we trust to be accurate and to not ask for more money after the fact, so we'd recommend avoiding CRI Genetics in favor of one of the more reliable options on the market.
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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