Inside The Rise Of Ancestry DNA Testing
By
1 day ago
All your questions about at-home DNA tests, answered
It’s natural to be curious about our ancestry. Finding out about the people who came before us can help us understand ourselves and our genetics – and even connect us with long lost relatives. So it was only a matter of time before the world of ancestry DNA testing took off.
At-home DNA tests have soared in popularity lately: they’re increasingly affordable, and new technology has made them more advanced than ever before. But how do they work? Here’s everything you need to know about the burgeoning trend, brought to you in collaboration with MyHeritage.
Ancestry DNA Testing: Everything You Need To Know
What Is Ancestry DNA Testing?
Ancestry DNA tests are genetic tests which help people learn about their family history and ethnic heritage. The at-home versions usually involve individuals collecting a saliva sample, which is then sent off to a lab for analysis.
To use the MyHeritage DNA kit, a user is required to take a simple cheek swab (no blood or spit is required), then put it in an envelope and send it to the MyHeritage DNA lab, where technicians process each sample individually using cutting-edge technology.
‘In the lab, we extract your DNA, amplify it and translate the biological information into digital raw data,’ explain the team at MyHeritage. ‘Once your DNA has been converted to a digital form, our algorithms calculate your Ethnicity Estimate, determining which segments of your DNA originate from different regions in the world.’ Not only this, but they’ll compare your DNA to others to find both close and distant relatives, and create family trees going back for hundreds of years.
Consequently, you’ll be sent an in-depth picture of your ethnic origins, created using the company’s database of over 9.2 million people. This will include a percentage breakdown of your ancestral background, as well as the percentage that comes from each area, across 2,144 geographic regions and 23 ethnicities. You can also use AI to animate family photos, allowing you to experience your family history in a new way.
Unsplash
How Long Does DNA Testing Take?
It depends on the company, but MyHeritage will get your results back to you in just three to four weeks. When your results are ready, you’ll be notified via email, and the results will be accessible via the MyHeritage website.
Is Your Data Safe?
It’s natural to feel a little concerned about sharing information about your DNA with a company, but you can rest assured your data is secure with MyHeritage. All testing is done in the CLIA-certified, CAP-accredited laboratory in the United States (the industry gold standard), using multiple layers of encryption. Only you will have access to your DNA data and results, and you can request to have your data deleted from their database at any time.
How To Try It
The MyHeritage DNA kit is available now for just £33 (down from £79) via myheritage.com.
