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myDNA Review

Saturday, February 15th

2025 DNA Testing Kit Reviews

myDNA Review 2 Star Rating

myDNA

2 Star Rating
  • DNA testing focused on health and wellness, not ancestry
  • 4 main DNA testing types: whole genome, whole exome, pharmacogenomics, comprehensive health
  • Most pricing is available by quote only
  • In business for over 20 years

myDNA and its affiliated lab, Gene by Gene, are strongly focused on using DNA as a means of understanding your health at a cellular level, from genetic analysis of factors that can be used by you and your doctors to take proactive steps towards a better life, to digging in deep to find the genetic components behind conditions you're already struggling with. The company is based in Houston, Texas, and has been analyzing genetic data for over two decades.

Several types of DNA testing kits here

There are four categories of services offered through myDNA's testing:

  • Whole Exome Sequencing (inquire for a quote): this DNA testing kit is a good next step if other tests (like bloodwork) haven't been able to identify the cause of disease. It takes a look at the 1-2% of your genome that is responsible for nearly 85% of disease-causing mutations. This test provides a cardiovascular panel (174+ genes), oncology (113 genes), a renal-kidney panel (176 genes), interpretation of immunodeficiency (50 genes) and more. You should expect it to take up to 25 business days to process your sample once it's been received.
  • Whole Genome Sequencing (inquire for a quote): this in-depth test includes all of the screening of the whole exome service, but expands to include both coding and non-coding regions of the genome. It also includes a full cardiovascular panel (174+ genes), oncology (113 genes), a renal-kidney panel (176 genes), interpretation of immunodeficiency (50 genes) and more. This takes about 21-25 business days too.
  • Pharmacogenomics (inquire for pricing): if you want some genetic insights into how you may respond to medications, this is the category for you. At myDNA, you can opt for a multi-category medication PGx test (covers over 160 medications across a spectrum of uses), a psychotropic medication PGx test (over 40 medications), or the Gene PGx MTHFR test (evaluating your response to folate).
  • Comprehensive Health: this test covers 92 genes responsible for athletic performance, detoxification (chemical sensitivity and drug metabolism), digestion, DNA protection and repair, energy, hormones, inflammation and longevity, plus stress and cognitive performance. However, myDNA just provides the testing and reporting; you have to click over to a third-party site (Reveal My DNA or Any Lab Test Now) to order the testing kits. And, there was never any pricing given for what this test would cost.

All of that feels unnecessarily confusing and opaque, especially when you look at other DNA testing kits that give it to you straight, even when it's going to be expensive.

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Negative feedback in recent months

Although the last time we evaluated myDNA we were able to give it a positive recommendation - based on some limited but solid reviews that had come in from clients - we can't do that now. And, again, that's largely based on customer comments being negative on the whole. Rants left within a few months of our evaluation called their DNA testing results "absolute rubbish” for getting things wrong (like telling a client that she wasn't lactose intolerant when she very much was), or nearly useless for providing results that were almost too small to read (on both computer screens and the app).

It doesn't stop there

And, speaking of the app, there are dozens of complaints about myDNA on both app stores, like "zero data after taking your money” and "poor user experience”. Here and there you'll find someone who got actionable advice with their DNA testing results from this company, but the vast majority of customers wouldn't recommend spending money here.

Dropped down our list

We've dropped myDNA down in our ratings. It isn't the absolute worst company on the market, but it's got some big-time drawbacks. You'll get no direction in terms of your ancestral family history, and the reports that come out regarding your health might be too limited (or too illegible) to be of much use to you. You've got options to consider that are higher on our list, so you can safely pass on using myDNA's 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.

The Best DNA Testing Kits Compare DNA Testing Kits Compare DNA Testing Kit Reviews What are the best DNA Testing Kits Best DNA Testing Kit Reviews

DNA Testing Kit FAQ

The two most common reasons for testing DNA are to determine one's ancestry and to identify underlying health conditions or predispositions. DNA testing may also be done to determine a child's paternity or detect infidelity.
Fortunately, no. A simple cheek swab or vial of saliva that can be returned by mail is usually all that's required.
That depends on the testing service you select. Some companies deliver your results in 1-4 weeks, while others have been known to take a month or longer.
Not necessarily. You'll probably pay somewhere between $59 and $649, depending on how comprehensive your selected test is.
Most of the time, no. DNA test kit prices usually include the cost of delivering the test to your home or office, the return shipping fees to the lab, and the cost of analyzing your sample.
DNA testing protocols are constantly evolving, especially with respect to tracking one's ancestry. Many of the companies use the company Helix to sequence your DNA. The individual companies are then responsible for interpreting the DNA results. You will see some differences between the different testing providers. Also, you may also want to share your results with your healthcare provider, so he or she can confirm any of the health-related results and request additional testing as needed.
Possibly, but that will depend on several factors. Not only will your relatives have to choose the same DNA testing platform as you, but both of you will have to set your account permissions to show DNA matches and to allow messages. That being said, thousands of people have connected with previously-unknown family members using many of today's most popular DNA testing providers.
That's an important question. Most DNA testing services promise to maintain your privacy by requiring your consent to share your results for matching or research purposes. You'll have to determine your own risk tolerance when it comes to concerns about data breaches, court subpoenas, and other ways your data could be accessed.
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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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