Genetic (DNA) testing may involve the sequencing of human DNA in order to discover genetic differences, anomalies, or mutations that may prove pathological.
It is the analysis of chromosomes (DNA), proteins, and certain metabolites in order to detect heritable disease-related genotypes, mutations, phenotypes, or karyotypes for clinical purposes. It also provides information about an individual's genes and chromosomes throughout life.
DNA testing is also used to identify an individual for legal purposes. For these purposes, it is not used to detect gene mutations associated with disease but to identify crime or catastrophe victims, implicate or rule out a crime suspect, or establish biological relationships between people. For example, paternity testing uses special DNA markers to identify the same or similar inheritance patterns between related individuals. Based on the likelihood that we will inherit half of our DNA from the father and half from the mother, DNA scientists test individuals to determine a match of DNA sequences at some highly differential markers to draw the conclusion of relatedness.
Another popular use of DNA testing is to determine ancestry or ethnic heritage for the purpose of genetic genealogy, and that is the main purpose for its inclusion in this portion of our web guide.
Private genetic testing is administered by several companies, including 23andMe, 23mofang, 24 Genetics, AncestryDNA, Centrillion Biosciences, CRI Genetics, Dante Labs, DNA Worldwide, Family Tree DNA, Full Genomes Corporation, Genebase, Gene by Gene, Genera, Genos Research, GenoTek, IGENEA, Living DNA, MeuDNA, National Geographic Geno, Nebula Genomics, Sano Genetics, Sorenson Genomics, Veritas Genetics, Veritas Intercontinental, YSEQ, Yoogene, and probably some others, with 23andMe, AncestryDNA, and CRI Genetics being the most popular in the United States.
These companies do not all provide the same type of test results, but a few things that can usually be determined include family history, ancestry, personal identity, health information, and geographical community.
Direct-to-consumer DNA tests have varying levels of evidence supporting their claims. Some companies can offer much scientific and clinical data to support their information, while others lack. Not all direct-to-consumer genetic testing companies test for the same set of variants.
DNA testing will not replace the genetic ancestry research steps, but it can be a useful starting point.
However, it can be useful in helping to learn more about one's ancestry, to prove that one's family tree reflects one's actual ancestry, to prove or disprove the relationship between two people on a family tree, to prove or disprove a theory of the parts of the world that one's ancestors came from, to find relatives for individuals on the family tree who may have been adopted, or to learn from which ancestors certain genetic traits are likely to have been inherited from. Genetic testing can serve as a tool for answering the above questions.
Depending on the direct-to-consumer DNA testing company, three basic types of collection kits are used. One of them involves spitting into a tube, another is done by swabbing the inside of the cheek with a small brush and depositing that into a tube, while another involves swabbing the inside of the cheek, then drying and sending in the swab. These are not the same tests used by law enforcement for crime identification purposes.
DNA is an acronym for deoxyribonucleic acid. DNA is a molecule that encodes the genetic instructions for building and operating all living things. Human beings are 99.9% genetically identical. All of the differences in how people look and the diseases they may be prone to stem from the 0.1% difference. However, there are about three billion base pairs where those differences may be expressed.
Your DNA is in nearly all of your cells. The DNA replicated in your body's cells is essentially your personal building and operating instructions given to you by your parents. Moreover, it contains the story of where you came from geographically.
This information doesn't replace other forms of research, but it can be invaluable in helping you to fill in the branches of your family tree.
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Maintained by 23andMe Holding Company, a publicly-held personal genomics and biotechnology company based in California, 23andMe is best known for its direct-to-consumer genetic testing, in which customers provide a saliva sample that is laboratory analyzed to generate reports relating to the customer's ancestry and genetic predispositions to various health-related topics. It was the first company to offer autosomal DNA testing for ancestry, which most genetic testing companies now use.
https://www.23andme.com/
AncestryDNA is a subsidiary of Ancestry LLC, commonly known as Ancestry.com. It offers direct-to-consumer genealogical DNA testing. Consumers provide a sample of their DNA to the company for analysis, after which the company will use DNA sequences to infer family relationships with other AncestryDNA users and provide ethnicity estimates. The testing itself is performed by Quest Diagnostics. Members may pay an additional fee to access various DNA traits, which includes limited health data.
https://www.ancestry.com/
Offering DNA testing for Ancestry, Health, Nutrition, and Allergy, the Cellular Research Institute (CRI) Genetics laboratory's direct-to-consumer testing basic package includes a breakdown of the consumer's last five generations, advanced ancestry covering ancient origins of DNA up to 1,000 years in the past, and advanced ancestry timeline, and fifteen trait reports. A health upgrade with more than 80 reports is also available. Additional information is available on the site.
https://www.crigenetics.com/
Currently offering four DNA testing packages: Paternal Ancestry, Maternal Ancestry, Family Ancestry, and Paternal Ancestry in Greater Detail, Family Tree DNA promises not to sell customer's DNA to third parties, and all samples are processed and stored in its on-site laboratory. DNA kits are ordered online. When received, customers will swab the inside of their cheeks and mail the kit back in a prepaid package, with results to be expected in 4-8 weeks. Its Group Projects membership is defined.
https://www.familytreedna.com/
The Full Genomes Corporation was founded in 2013 to make next-generation sequencing technology available via the direct-to-consumer market, focusing on the Y chromosome. Headquartered in Maryland, the company offers several test plans and other analysis options featured here, along with prices and additional information about each. Also available are custom services for researchers, from cancer research to forensic cold cases. Kits may be registered online, and answers to questions are posted.
https://fullgenomes.com/
Gene by Gene is a commercial testing company headquartered in Houston, Texas. It is currently a subsidiary of the Australian company myDNA Life Private Ltd. Operational since 2000, and it was the first commercial company to offer DNA testing for genealogical purposes. Although it also offers investigative, medical, and research DNA testing services, it offers paternity, maternity, immigration relationship, and general wellness DNA testing for consumers, which are defined here.
https://www.genebygene.com/
The DNA testing laboratory offers testing services for individuals, medical institutions, and legal and government entities worldwide. Originally a legal and forensic DNA testing facility, the company later began offering relationship and ancestry testing. Genebase can provide applications pertaining to ancestry, lifestyle, health and disease, behaviors, and inherited traits through its direct-to-consumer testing services. Test kits may be ordered online, and free apps are included.
https://www.genebase.com/
The UK-based company specializes in DNA testing and analysis, with UK, USA, and Denmark facilities. It provides deep ancestry details from around the world using a unique linked DNA analysis process. The company conducts three types of DNA analyses: autosomal, Y-chromosome, and mitochondrial. Currently offered are a DNA ancestry kit and a DNA ancestry and wellbeing kit, which includes fitness and nutritional data, while its ancestry results include a DNA breakdown for 8 regions around the world.
https://livingdna.com/
