DNA testing, also known as genetic testing, has picked up in popularity in the US and across the globe. As of now, an estimated 30 million people in the US, and counting, have taken a test. So what is DNA testing? Let’s take a look.
What Is DNA Testing?
A genetic test, or DNA test, analyzes a person’s DNA data and delivers insights into family histories, ancestry, macro and micro nutrition intake, disease risk, intelligence and personality and physical traits.
There are reportedly over 2.5 million individuals who’ve taken the test, a large percentage of them through testing kits.
How To Get a Test
A principal reason for the increase in popularity is ease and affordability. The tests can be purchased online from the makers, through Amazon or off-the-shelf. Each genetic test collects saliva, which the test taker returns, typically per a prepaid shipping label. The turnaround usually takes about two to three weeks.
Test Results
A number of companies offer family history and ancestry analysis. Test reports can provide background information per ethnicity estimates, which can indicate mixed ethnic backgrounds, or they can dial in on specific regions of origin.
There are two leading testing companies:
- AncestryDNA has the largest database and offers comprehensive ancestry analysis. The company began as a family tree resource but later integrated testing for a combined service.
- 23andMe focuses primarily on health and ancestry. It’s currently predominantly an ancestry resource, but with ongoing FDA approvals, the company has seen increasing integration of its original goal of genetic trait analysis. This type of analysis can offer information regarding disease risks, including cancer, type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s and celiac disease.
Additional Test Types
DNA tests also pursue other applications and uses. These can include:
- Relative match tests, which match up overlapping data percentages between individuals, potentially providing background on genealogy and family trees.
- Health and wellness and medical applications, including tests for the breast cancer-related BRCA gene and genetic information with potential relevance to nutrition and fitness
- Personality testing or intelligence testing, an early-phase bioinformatics approach with varying results that takes into consideration correlation between personality characteristics and genes
It’s important to note that testing should be carried out by services that are specific to ethnicity, which may have more familiarity with each background type and what to look for.
Genomelink is a discovery tool that provides information on DNA identity through genomics science, with focuses on nutrition, fitness, physical traits, personality and intelligence. To learn more about DNA identities contact the science team at website today.
