Fullgenomes.com Review

Full Genomes

Fullgenomes.com  Review

23andMe DNA Testing Review

23andme Review

23andMe DNA Testing Review

23andMe Tests for Ancestry, Health Conditions, and Neanderthal Genes
The genetic testing company 23andMe is one of the oldest companies analyzing human DNA for ancestry and health information. Available to anyone with one hundred and ninety nine dollars, the kit uses a saliva test to gather DNA at home. The customer then views online reports of ethnic ancestry, heritable health conditions and other traits, and has access to raw genetic data. There is also an opt-in feature for connecting with other customers who share similar genetic profiles and may be related.

The company was founded in 2006 and is located in Mountain View, California. It was the first such company to begin widely marketing personalized genetic tests directly to the public. In its decade of existence, the company has gathered over 650,000 individual DNA tests into its database.

23andMe stands out for its comprehensive, forty-plus reports on genetic diseases like cystic fibrosis, Parkinson’s disease, and inheritable forms of breast and ovarian cancer. The test does not tell you if you have any of these conditions, only whether or not you carry a recessive gene which could lead to the disease or could be passed on to your descendants.

23andMe Additional DNA Tests

In addition to the health reports, you also get an analysis of about twenty inheritable physical traits. Included is data on your propensity to enjoy caffeinated beverages, whether or not you can taste certain bitter flavors, and how likely you are to have curly or straight hair compared to others who share genes with you.

The main feature of interest to most people taking this kind of test is the insight into personal ethnic identity. The 23andMe test gives you a break-down of your DNA compared to thirty one population groups around the world. Viewable by map or list, the percentage of genes from each group is quickly viewable.

The ancestry part of the results also covers maternal haplogroup. This is the part of each person’s DNA which is inherited only from the mother. Also called mitochondrial DNA, this genetic information does not change from one generation to the next, so it provides deep insight into the history of a person’s maternal heritage going back tens of thousands of years. Men who take the 23andMe test also get a report on the Y chromosome passed on from their father. This gives a view into the deep past of the paternal line, but only men taking the test receive this information.

23andMe Forum

As an add-on feature, customers can opt-in for connecting to a forum of other 23andMe customers who share DNA and may be related. Those who opt-in can post messages, ask questions, and make personal connections with others who share their genes. The company also offers an opt-in feature for those who want their genetic information to be available for scientific research projects. There is no extra charge for either opt-in feature, and you can change your mind at any time.

Another ancestry report included is an analysis of the customer’s Neanderthal genes. A report is generated showing how many of the customer’s genes overlap with the approximately 1,400 Neanderthal genes identified in human DNA.

Some of the genetic information generated by these reports is also available in an easily searchable raw data browser. This allows the customer to locate and look at individual genes and see which allele combination they have at a given SNP site.

The results from 23andMe’s genetic test are available about six weeks after sending in the saliva sample. All registration and report viewing is done online, and the collection kit is mailed directly to the customer’s home in a return-postage-paid box.

Homednadirect.com Review

Homednadirect.com

Homednadirect.com Review

HomeDNAdirect.com  offers convenient, discreet DNA testing services through the mail. Customers purchase a kit online, which is sent to them in discrete packaging from California, along with instructions for collecting the sample using the provided swabs. Once the individual mails the DNA sample, HomeDNAdirect performs the test within three to ten days and then sends the customer the results via email. Express testing, which is performed within two business days after the sample is received, is available for an additional $70 fee. HomeDNAdirect has ten laboratories worldwide.

Available DNA Tests

HomeDNAdirect offers paternity, relationship baby gender and prenatal testing. Standard and motherless paternity tests and maternal cost $119; court admissible paternity tests, where a physician, nurse or attorney must verify the sample and send it to homeDNAdirect cost $299. Home paternity testing is not available to New York State residents.

Non-invasive prenatal paternity is available for $1590 for women who are at least 11 weeks pregnant. The test requires a blood sample from the mother who must have a nurse or phlebotomist collect, and mouth swabs from the potential father. This test is not available to women who are expecting twins.

Relationship testing, including sibling, grandparentage and aunt and uncle DNA testing, will determine biological link between two people. Prices for these tests start at $299.

Trademarked AncestrybyDNA testing, which costs $129, reveals more about an individual’s origin. Results are available within four weeks after homeDNAdirect receives the sample.

Gender prediction testing is available for $299, starting from the 9th week of pregnancy. The test requires a blood sample from the mother.

Infidelity testing is not possible, but individuals can have suspicious stains, hairs, cigarette buts or a used Kleenex tissues tested for male or female DNA. HomeDNAdirect lists all the types of samples that they can test, along with the accuracy results of each test on their company website.

DNA testing, which is accepted by the Immigration and Naturalization Services, is also furnished by homeDNAdirect. DNA testing is not required, but it may be suggested by a Consular Officer to ease the visa application process.

Accuracy and Accreditation

HomeDNAdirect tests 21 genetic markers, ensuring their customers receive accurate results. In cases of paternity testing, the lab’s results are 99.9 percent accurate. ISO17025 accreditation assures homeDNAdirect USA offers precise, reliable results. Information about reading test results is accessible on the company’s website.

HomeDNA Direct Reviews

HomeDNAdirect receives excellent reviews online, with consumers mentioning the company’s low prices and quick results. While not BBB accredited, homeDNAdirect has an A+ rating, with no complaints in the last 12 months.

FTDNA mtDNA Tests

FTDNA-mtdna Review

FTDNA.com mtDNA Tests Review

Family Tree mtDNA Testing
As interests in genealogy and ancestry increase, companies who test DNA try to keep up with the demand. One company who has been doing that for over a decade is Family Tree DNA, a company based in Houston, Texas that offers a variety of testing for those interested in genealogy and tracking their family line. FTDNA mtDNA is a test to verify maternal linage.

Family Tree DNA is CAP accredited and CLIA-registered for genetic testing. The company has been featured in People Magazine and has received praise for being one of the only DNA companies to ship results to so many countries overseas. Customers can use their results to study maternal or paternal heritage, find out where their family is from, and make contact with living relatives. FTDNA mtDNA tests are available to be sent to other countries.

What tests are offered at Family Tree DNA?

Family Finder: $99
Result Time: 4-6 weeks
The Family Finder test is exactly what the name implies: a test to help people find unknown members of their family or to determine for sure certain familial relations. This test is great for genealogical purposes.

Mother’s Line:
The Mother’s Line tests use the Mitochondrial DNA to offer links to maternal heritage. Those who take this test can help determine sibling relationships and track genealogy on the mother’s side. The mtDNA offers a limited testing while the mtFull Sequence tests the full sequence of the DNA from the mitochondria, offering more complete results.

mtDNA: $69
Result Time: 6-8 weeks

mtFull Sequence: $199
Result Time: 6-8 weeks

From the FTDNA mt DNA results page:

“The mtDNA – Results page shows the actual results of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) tests that you have taken. These are the sections.

• Haplogroup – This is your mtDNA haplogroup. Haplogroups are our place on the maternal tree tracing all people alive today back to a common maternal ancestor in Africa. …….
• Your Origin – This gives an overview of the history and the geography of your haplogroup. The distributions of mtDNA haplogroups and their branches follow historic population movements. ……
• Your Results – This shows your test results compared to the Reconstructed Sapiens Reference Sequence (RSRS).
  • Extra Mutations and Missing Mutations (mtDNA Full Sequence Only) – This shows your differences from the modal values of your haplogroup. Extra Mutations are those that you have but are not part of the modal haplotype for your assigned haplogroup. …..
  • RSRS Values – This section shows your differences from the Reconstructed Sapiens Reference Sequence (RSRS). The RSRS is based on the deepest common maternal ancestor to all people alive today as well as several ancient humanoids. A comparison of your sequence to this reference reveals clearly the path between you and our shared maternal ancestor.
  • FASTA File – The FASTA button allows you to download your results in the FASTA file format. This is a format commonly used by population geneticists.
• Additional Tabs – These tabs show more advanced options for understanding your mtDNA Results.
  • rCRS Values – This section shows your differences from the historic revised Cambridge Reference Sequence (rCRS). The rCRS is based on the first complete mtDNA sequence completed. The information in this section is for historic reference only.
  • mtDNA Community – This section allows you to donate your results for scientific research. Please read the Your Scientific Collaboration: mtDNA Community page carefully before participating.”

Why one test over another?

The tests that check for the most markers will offer the most results. Therefore, those wanting to dig deep into their family history should choose a test with many markers to receive a more complete picture of their family line.

Why FTDNA mtDNA?

As a division of Gene by Gene, Family Tree DNA was founded for the purpose of helping people get in touch with their pasts through genealogy. FTDNA offers many tests at reasonable prices to help make sure searches into family lines don’t go cold. They have been in business for over 15 years and continue to offer great service to their customers.