Tuesday, March 21st
2023 DNA Testing Kit Reviews
American Screening Corporation
- DNA testing available for Paternity, Grandparent, Twin (Identical or Fraternal), Siblingship
- Prices range from $28.49 to $213.75
- In business for over 15 years
American Screening Corporation, or ASC, got its start in 2004 with a mission to provide quality drug and alcohol testing products. Their services expanded to include DNA testing, though you'll quickly see that those kits aren't really the focus of this business.
No ancestry or health DNA testing here
This is definitely not a service you'll use for any kind of deep dive into your ancestral background. The DNA testing kits here only go as far back as grandparents, and you'll need to purchase separate tests for each relationship you want to verify (such as sibling, father, twin). There's also no option for DNA screening for health purposes: no traits, genetic markers, predispositions, and so forth.
Plenty of ways to document paternity
But, if you're trying to obtain legal proof of paternity, ASC could be an option. Alleged father not willing to get tested? No problem: that's where grandparent and avuncular (aunt/uncle) tests come in. Just read the description of each test to find out how it works, and keep in mind that tests on anyone other than the father are going to offer a relationship likelihood percentage and not a direct confirmation of relatedness.
Limited in-stock availability
Prices here are all over the place. You can get a Reveal DNA Paternity Test for just $28.49, but a Grandparent Test is a whopping $213.75. That is, of course, if the test you want is actually in stock. At the time of our most recent visit to the ASC site, there were 16 tests listed - and only five that were in stock. Some of those could be ordered online, while others were designated as "call to order" items.
Costs
- Prices range from $28.49 to $213.75 depending on the test selected
- Shipping fees start at $9
Some complaints filed with the BBB
When we looked up American Screening Corporation's listing with the Better Business Bureau most recently, the company had been given a "Not Rated" status: the BBB was investigating a pattern of complaints before issuing a new grade for ASC. There weren't a ton of them filed there - just seven in the year leading up to this review - but they all seemed to center around late orders and issues with billing/refunds.
Okay for paternity tests and not much else
American Screening Corporation isn't a bad DNA testing kit provider. There aren't many complaints filed with the BBB, and the company offers a decent range of testing types for those who are trying to determine parentage. However, the site could use a lot of updating, their inventory was pretty lacking, and this service just isn't going to offer the kind of information most people are thinking of when shopping for a DNA test. ASC earns a low ranking among companies selling DNA testing kits.
More DNA Testing Kit Reviews
The 10 Best DNA Testing Kits
Where Can You Get the Best DNA Testing Kits?
Direct-to-consumer DNA testing has exploded over the last decade. From popular TV shows that document the ancestry of celebrities to clickbait articles describing the latest "she almost married her long-lost brother!" scandal prevented by a DNA test, it seems like everyone is pretty familiar with the appeal and power of these kits.
There are three main reasons why people buy a DNA test these days. The most common is to explore their heritage. Am I really related to royalty? Did my great-great-grandparents actually come from a small town in Italy? DNA tests can often reveal the answers to such questions. These tests also help people connect with living relatives, from distant cousins overseas to half-siblings and even previously-unknown parents.
DNA Testing Kit FAQ
Continued from above...
Most DNA testing services allow you to keep that information private, though, if you just want to see your ethnicity breakdown without disclosing yourself to any relatives who might be in their database.
The second reason many individuals choose to buy a DNA testing kit is to get information on health and wellness. Depending on the provider you choose, your results may include basic traits like cleft chin or sensitivity to caffeine, or they may go so far as to tell you if you're a carrier for certain hereditary diseases. These tests can help you be proactive with your health, give your physician more details to guide your treatment, and maybe even prolong your life.
If you've ever watched The Jerry Springer Show, you already know the third reason people buy DNA tests: to prove paternity. That's easier to do when the alleged father is a willing participant in the test, but some companies also offer sibling, half-sibling, grandparent and avuncular (such as aunt/uncle) options that can give you a percentage of likelihood that the individual is related.
You've got lots of options for DNA testing kids. Which one should you buy? These are the factors you should keep in mind as you decide:
- Purpose. Why do you want to test your DNA: ancestry, health, or paternity? The answer to that question will automatically narrow down your choices.
- Value. What will you get for what you spend? Will your results come in a detailed report or just a vague summary? Are there any other services included with your purchase, like a family tree builder, dietary recommendations, or other guidance?
- Additional Costs. Some DNA testing kits have ongoing membership or subscription fees. Be sure you understand what you're getting when you click the "order now" button: many people are angry when they find "unexpected" charges on their credit cards because they didn't read the part that explained the monthly or annual service fees.
- Reputation. What do other customers say about their experience with using the DNA test provider? Did they have any issues with getting results in a timely fashion? Does the test deliver what the company promises?
To help you choose the right service to learn more about your health and heritage, Top Consumer Reviews has evaluated and ranked the most popular providers of DNA testing kits on the market today. We're confident that through these tests, you can discover everything you've wanted to know about your genetics!
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