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Saturday, February 15th
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:
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.
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.
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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