Friday, February 26th
2021 DNA Testing Kit Reviews
My Heritage
- Cost: $59
MyHeritage has been a key partner in the increasingly-popular world of genealogy research, not just in the US but worldwide. With 96 million users from around the planet - and even a website that's available in 40+ languages - this site makes it possible to connect with relatives from just about everywhere.
Their DNA testing is a more recent complement to their family history focus. Because of this, their DNA database is smaller than Ancestry: just over a million compared with more than six million results, though both are growing daily. Also, MyHeritage only has 42 ethnic regions comprising its results, while Ancestry separates results into 150 - which means that you'll get a less-specific set of results to pinpoint your heritage.
But, MyHeritage comes out strong in terms of simplicity and pricing: for $59, your sample is processed with a simple cheek swab, rather than having to fill a vial with saliva. Why does that matter? Imagine trying to get that kind of sample from an infant or an elderly person! A cheek swab is much less effort.
MyHeritage is also a better service when looking at how long it takes to get test results; where Ancestry can take a month or longer, MyHeritage usually returns results within 3-4 weeks at most. This company also has one of the industry's best track records when it comes to protecting your data and privacy.
Overall, MyHeritage's DNA testing isn't as comprehensive when compared with several other services, but as their database expands to match their site membership, they may emerge as a bigger competitor among those looking to get genetic information to connect with their family history.
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The 9 Best DNA Testing Kits
Who Has the Best DNA Tests?
It seems like everywhere you look these days, there are companies offering DNA Testing. The largest consumers of these DNA tests are people who want to connect with their heritage and/or living relatives, or who are hoping to gain insights into medical conditions and inherited medical predispositions that might affect their health.
Other reasons why people might want a DNA Test include establishing paternity of a child, identifying inherited traits, and detection of infidelity. But no matter the reason, one thing's for sure: DNA Testing has exploded in popularity as its reliability and usefulness continues to grow.
DNA Testing Kit FAQ
Continued from above...
It's important to point out that, as a consumer industry, these DNA tests and the results that come from them are still an emerging science. This is especially true when it comes to testing for ancestry, where one's results are best considered a probability estimate and not an absolute conclusion. For example, you could have a DNA test done today that shows your heritage as 60% British Isles and 40% Eastern Europe, but re-running the same test in five years could show a slightly different balance as more people are tested and the estimates become more accurate.
Similarly, testing done to determine DNA traits and predispositions for medical conditions should be taken as one piece of the puzzle, not a foregone conclusion. Most experts recommend discussing these results with your doctor or a geneticist before making any drastic changes or coming to any written-in-stone conclusions regarding your future health.
On the other hand, DNA testing has been highly accurate when determining parentage. False positives are rare: if your test shows that Person X is the father of a particular child, those results are very likely to stand up in court.
There are many different companies offering DNA testing today, so it's important to know which ones offer the service you need before you purchase a home test kit. As you consider which company to use, you should keep in mind the following criteria:
- Focus. Does the company offer DNA tests primarily for genealogy purposes, health testing, or paternity? Can you get a comprehensive test for multiple purposes (like ancestry and health background)?
- Price. DNA testing fluctuates in price, with fees ranging from less than $50 to well over $500. Because these services have become more popular recently, you may be able to find promotions and discounts at certain times of the year.
- Results. Have people used this service and been satisfied with the information received? If you're using a DNA test to explore your family history, how well does the company connect people with living relatives? (In other words, how big is their database of users who want to share their information with blood relations?)
- Reputation. Does the company have a good track record for accurate testing and protection of privacy?
TopConsumerReviews.com has reviewed and ranked the best DNA Testing companies available today. We hope these reviews help you find the DNA information you're looking for!
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