Would you ever have a DNA test to find out your health or ancestry?

[evenlift]

A DNA test that gives information about your health and ancestry has just been released in the UK. I’m pretty tempted. All you have to do is to spit into a plastic tube that gets posted to you, and then you post it back to the company. A few weeks later, you get your results.

Have you ever done this? If so, what did you learn about your health and/or ancestry? If not, would you?

[DanAG]

Are you sure this isn't a semi-scam? It sounds very much like similar things that went on long before DNA testing even existed. I strongly suspect that the information you get is not nearly as good as the marketing hype. It sounds like a total waste of money to me.

To answer the question, no I wouldn't do it. I already know about my health. And I don't believe for one second that they'll give me more information on my ancestry that I don't already know.

[evenlift]

From what I've seen, they are quite conservative in what they tell you.

[DanAG]

So what kind of information are they supposed to give you? For the ancestry I don't see how they could give you genealogic information unless they already have a huge database. Genealogy is what most people would be interested in. They might give info on haplogroup, but that's really just a mild curiosity.

I guess the real reason I'm suspicious is because it sounds like a lot of other things in the past which were basically ripoffs. There have always been companies that claim to give ancestral information, but actually gave little to no properly researched info. Same with companies that claim to find family heraldic devices and things like that.

As for the medical side, I'd let the doctors decide to get a test like that. Unfortunately I suspect most doctors are not very well trained in understanding most of that. But it could still give them a head's up on things to pay particular attention to.

[evenlift]

They tell you haplogroups, and the countries or regions where your ancestors allegedly lived 500 years ago. Yes, they already have a huge database apparently.

[yaddayaddayadda02]

I have not, I'm very interested about doing it, but wonder about the privacy concerns. Where is my DNA being stored?

[evenlift]

If I remember correctly, they use your DNA anonymously for scientific research. But, yes, one should definitely read the terms and conditions before participating.

[Slavanna]

1. I'd have to take a peek at terms and conditions. Perks of having a lawyer father, you grow up super careful about this stuff...
2. I'd rather do it within the country I'm residing in. So until affordable DNA testing comes to Poland or I come to the UK or the US, I don't think I'm gonna do it. Hell, I'm still underage anyway (though I'm turning 18 next month... meh, it's not that bad after all).

[Anonymous]

If something could actually give me reliable medical history and tell me what my ethnicities are, I would take it as long as i could afford it. If it could give me a family member, I'd do everything in my power to get my hands on that test.

[Opinion Owner]

Thank you for mho. I'm adopted if you couldn't guess and if this test actually works and provides accurate results im taking it.

[evenlift]

There's no doubt that the test works for ancestry. The medical component of it works too, but that part's been controversial because U. S. regulators fear that consumers might misunderstand future probability for certainty (which is a stupid fear, but that's why the medical component is banned in the US. In the UK and Canada, you still get both the ancestry and the medical). The ancestry part of the test will basically tell you where your ancestors were 500 years ago (before the era of intercontinental travel).

Here are the links anyway.
UK: https://www.23andme.com/en-gb/
Canada: https://www.23andme.com/en-ca/
USA: https://www.23andme.com/

[Opinion Owner]

Oh so it doesn't tell you about any relatives who have also taken the test then? Thank you though I appreciate your response.

[evenlift]

Oh, yeah, it does tell you about them.

[Klaatu51]

basically i'd like to just to find out why i have the height i have now LOL

[evenlift]

LOL. Tall or short?

[Klaatu51]

i consinder my height tall, and other people consinder my height short or average

make a guess

[evenlift]

Erm... short.

[atomique]

No thanks. I know where my people are from. I am physical built like my grandpa so I may die early. Unless I have a cardiovascular system like my grandma. Then I will live for a long ass time.

[Jerusha]

I would. I know that my ancestors were cats, I just want to know what breed. =^.^=

[sheashea26]

Mine were British shorthairs. My grandfather was the cat who played Church in "Pet Cemetary".

[Kyndra]

I'd want to learn my ancestors but not about the future health problems I might have.

[kittykatbrat]

YES!!!
I am fascinated with my ancestry and honestly think about a dna test often.

[plain_table]

Oh, I am so interested in this! XD! I soo wanna try this out.

[COCOCHANEL]

yes ! i wanna do it !

[renogaza]

im terrified of needles so no DNA testing for me :

[evenlift]

It doesn't use needles. You spit into a tube.

[renogaza]

oh o. o

well, then i might try it when i have time, but only if i get a waiver that specifically does not allow the usage of my genes in cloning and is immediately incinerated after testing o. o

[evenlift]

LOL.

[renogaza]

overkill xD?

[140597]

Yes I would take this test

[Anonymous]

do you have to pay for it? got a website link?

[evenlift]

Of course, you have to pay for it! It's £125, with free delivery and free return postage: https://www.23andme.com/en-gb/

[Opinion Owner]

i meant pay much* XD thought itd be something costing upwards of £100, won't bother then :p