Tuesday, January 21st
2025 DNA Testing Kit Reviews
Dynamic DNA Labs
- Strong focus on health-related issues testable via DNA
- Proactive health tests range from $49 to $149
- $195 for court-admissible paternity testing
- $249 for court-admissible siblingship testing
- Testing also available for Polygenic Risk and Cannabis response
The DNA testing kits at Dynamic DNA Laboratories are home health tests designed to help you "make better choices for your body”. Whether you're trying to determine the ideal diet for weight loss and management or you want insights into your body's ability to metabolize CBD and THC before you begin using medicinal (or recreational) cannabis, this company can help.
Get a discount... eventually
When you first visit the Dynamic DNA Labs website, look for a pop-up. At the time of our review, we were offered a $25 discount for clicking on the "Redeem Now” button. Unfortunately, when we did so, we got a "link is not currently active” error message. (*womp womp*) But, as we continued to navigate around the site, we got another pop-up that said the discount would be automatically applied at checkout. (*woohoo!*)
Tests multiple dimensions of health determined by DNA
So, let's consider all of the different DNA testing kids you can access (with or without that discount). In the Proactive Health area, here's what Dynamic DNA Labs offers:
- Nutrition ($149): this test analyzes your DNA for 43 genetic traits related to eating behaviors, nutritional needs, diet, and beyond. Your report gives you nutritional insights to optimize your health, custom meal plans and guidance. This panel includes tests for reactions to peanuts, gluten, lactose, and more. Think of this as your annual physical's blood work but on steroids (...not literally...).
- Fitness ($149): if you want to get the most out of your workouts, this DNA testing kit can give you personalized recommendations for cardiovascular health, performance, and recovery - all based on your genetic profile.
- Skin ($129): this test includes 25 genetic traits that influence skin health and aging. If you're worried about UV damage and repair, your skin's nutritional needs, or how to treat your skin with an eye towards anti-aging, this is the right testing kit.
- Personality ($129): ever wondered if you're more predisposed than most to addiction or dependence? Or to risk-taking behaviors? Those are just a few of the 30 traits included in the report for this DNA test.
- Wanderlust ($49): of all of Dynamic DNA Laboratories' tests, this one made us smile the most. We learned that "DRD4-7R” is considered the "wanderlust gene”, and if you carry at least 7 repeats of it in your DNA, you're more likely to engage in "novelty-seeking activities” (which could be expressed as travel, but also drug experimentation or sexual promiscuity).
Paternity and sibling DNA testing offered
In the Family category, this company offers two tests: Paternity and Siblingship (priced at $195 and $249, respectively). Not to be confused with an ancestry test that might tell you if you're likely to have been a Viking or a Visigoth, this Dynamic DNA Laboratories' pair of tests is used to confirm someone as a biological father or the relationship between siblings (or half-siblings). These tests are court-admissible (if needed). So, you could use this test to confirm such relationships if, for example, you've used DNA cousin/aunt/sibling matches on rival platforms to figure out who your birth father is (assuming that person prefers not to use the big-name service or doesn't trust that service's results).
Call for pricing on Polygenic Risk DNA testing
Another health-related category of testing offered through Dynamic DNA Labs is Polygenic Risk. It evaluates over 700,000 variants across your genome to evaluate your risk of developing 15 conditions like Alzheimer's Disease, Breast Cancer (BRCA1/2), Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes, and so on. You'll have to contact the company for pricing and to place your order, though.
Test your responsiveness to cannabis
Finally, you can use this company to find out your potential side effects from using cannabis, your THC and CBD metabolism, plus get dosing and product selection guidelines. This DNA testing kit costs $169.
Test-takers aren't thrilled here
But, client feedback for Dynamic DNA Labs is pretty lackluster. Complaints describe getting no communication after sending in their samples, feeling like the DNA test was just a way to get customers to buy supplements supposedly targeted towards findings in their results, and very vague ancestry reports that told people they were of "European descent” without being more specific. (But, FYI, we spoke with a representative at Dynamic DNA Labs who confirmed that they no longer do any kind of ancestry-type testing - simply because they can't compete with the "big guys” in the industry.)
Low scores on Trustpilot
Health reports were often mentioned as being similarly lacking in detail for the conditions that the clients were most hoping to address. While we didn't find a listing for Dynamic DNA Labs with the Better Business Bureau, the company is rated as "poor” on Trustpilot for its 2.7-star rating average and for not replying to negative reviews.
Not a DNA testing kit we recommend
For all of those reasons, we're keeping Dynamic DNA Labs at a below-average rating. You don't get nearly enough for what you pay for, your results are likely to be disappointingly lacking in details, and the customer service here is anything but on point. Choose a higher-ranked DNA testing kit on our list.
More DNA Testing Kit Reviews
The 10 Best DNA Testing Kits
Where Can You Get the Best 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.
DNA Testing Kit FAQ
Continued from above...
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:
- Purpose. Are you more interested in ancestry, health insights, or connecting with relatives? Different tests specialize in different areas, so choose one that fits with what you want to learn.
- Privacy. DNA is personal. Look into how the company handles your data. Do they share it with third parties (like law enforcement trying to solve crimes)? Can you delete your information? Make sure you're comfortable with their privacy policies.
- Accuracy and detail. Some kits provide more detailed ancestry reports, while others focus more on health. Read reviews and check out what kind of results people have received from specific tests to see if it matches your expectations.
- Cost. DNA tests vary in price. Some offer simple ancestry results using autosomal DNA, while others dig into your paternal and maternal lines. Still others provide comprehensive reports on both ancestry and health. Consider what you're getting for the price and whether it's worth the investment for the information you want.
- Additional services. Do you want to connect with relatives or have access to ongoing updates about your health? Do you also want access to historical records and documents (like birth certificates and census images)?
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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