Gone are the days when DNA testing was a complicated business. Getting your DNA tested is easy as taking a swab and sending it through snail mail. DNA testing itself evolved over the ages; originally used for forensics, evolutionary and medical research work, DNA testing is now performing many roles– including paternity confirmation, finding ancestry and heritage, even advising you on the possible medical complications you might genetically be prone to.
Some tests have gone as far as to claim they can provide advice on the best car, career choices and life partners! While these fads are an unfortunate part of all things useful and productive, the utilization and importance of DNA testing can not be denied.
With DNA testing becoming cheaper, a lot of companies developed data banks of DNA samples over the years, which makes DNA testing even more effective in finding out a person’s roots. Furthermore, more data also increases the efficiency and utilization of the testing. Some testing services even offer testing DNA’s of pets and animals.
23andme
With multiple packages for their DNA testing, the price tag for a test from 23andme could range from 99$ upwards to 199$. With a staggering database of more than 8 million—23andme offers a distinct and detailed analysis using variables from multiple DNA sources at disposal in their huge database. The vast tests offered include evaluation of your DNA to the advice on possible health risk factors and additional wellness report; this tests if the user is carrying any disability in her genes. While the basic DNA testing costs 99$, the users have to pay an additional 99$ to get a complete health analysis of their DNA.
Ancestry DNA
For those looking to understand their heritage and ancestry, Ancestry DNA offers specialized testing; which involves using databases and family matching features. These results can provide detailed analysis and trace the origins of your DNA to 500 geographic regions across the globe. With a database of 15 million DNA samples, in terms of demographics, Ancestry DNA’s resources provide the most detailed analysis. Using just a bit of saliva, the company claims that they can also provide up to 26 characteristics and features you have acquired from your ancestors. The cost of testing is 99$ with 9.95$ charged for shipping.
FamilyTreeDNA
FamilyTreeDNA offers testing at the economic spectrum among the others we have profiled, with costs as low as 79$ with 9.95$ for shipping. Their database includes some 850,000 samples. The company is operated by Houston-based genetic testing lab Gene-by-Gene, which has been working on the Genomics Research Center for National Geographics’ Genographic Project. The test offered by the service also includes an analysis on the migration patterns of your ancestors. The testing service provided by FamilyTreeDNA has one of the most customizable options, with options to add sequences; with additional costs, from your father’s and mother’s line. For detailed analysis offers to avail chromosome browser will be provided and transfer of data from 23andMe and Ancestry DNA testing can be availed on trial basis.
MyHeritage
An Israeli company, the testing service offered by MyHeritage starts at 79$ and with a database of 102million, MyHeritage offers a range of digital subscription options. MyHeritage claims that they’ve got the most ethnicities on their profile, as they include 42 different ethnicities. To familiarize the users with their interface they’ve also added an option to browse through their online catalogue of 3.6 billion profiles.
With basic subscription, you can add up to 250 people in your family tree, however with additional costs you can get larger trees, better search tools and more DNA features. The users also get the option upload data from other DNA testing services. Due to the collaboration between MyHeritage and Genicorp, they get access to one of the largest DNA data banks currently available in the world.
HomeDNA
Priced at a nominal 59$ for the basic DNA testing service, the HomeDNA testing is the basic testing service available at cheap rates to be used by larger audiences. The testing service is sold at Wallmart, CVS, Rite Aid and other pharmacies. The DNA testing services offered contain options priced between 69$ to 199$. But users have options to avail themselves of further services, such as determining food sensitivities, pet sensitivities, personalized diet and exercise strategies etc.
African Ancestry
While the rest of the DNA testing services have focused on delivering vast databases, African Ancestry has set out to be a niche testing service focusing on just people with African descent. With 299$ for matri- and patrilineal testing, the service offers deep regional ancestry analysis. The company claims that it can trace the history of original ethnic groups which may date back to as long as 500 years.
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