Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I heard that these DNA kits are scams and really unreliable...

You probably heard that from someone who didn't like the results they got.

I've done a bit of reading about this and the results aren't as great as you'd think. Some folks have done all three (23andme, Ancestry, and FamilyTree DNA) and gotten three different results. The issue seems to be that your information is only being compared to who is in their database. It would be excellent if the companies would pool their data - but I don't see that happening.

http://www.medicaldaily.com/dna-ancestry-tests-are-meaningless-your-historical-genealogy-search-244586

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I heard that these DNA kits are scams and really unreliable...

You probably heard that from someone who didn't like the results they got.

I've done a bit of reading about this and the results aren't as great as you'd think. Some folks have done all three (23andme, Ancestry, and FamilyTree DNA) and gotten three different results. The issue seems to be that your information is only being compared to who is in their database. It would be excellent if the companies would pool their data - but I don't see that happening.

Anonymous wrote:Has anyone with known origins in Asia or Africa done this? I'm just curious if they have built up as much of a database for those parts of the world.

I know quite a few Asian adoptees who have done this and its not very specific. For example - they got the result that they are "south east Asian". they already knew that. I am hoping it gets more specific over time.

Anonymous wrote:I'm more African than I thought I was. Being black American I assumed because of slavery I would have some European admixture. I did but not as much as I thought.

I'm happy to find I'm blacker than I though.

Same here! 94% African, 6% European. Except I'm of Afro-Caribbean descent.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I haven't done it, but 18-year-old DS asked for this for Christmas. So 23andme is wrapped and under the tree, LOL.

I'd be very reluctant to have my kids do this. If the country ever moves away from the move towards national healthcare (which it seems we are definitely about to do!!) there may soon come a time when insurance companies can deny you coverage for any diseases for which you show a genetic predisposition.

It doesn't matter then, because if we go that far in the wrong direction, they will repeal the current laws that do not allow discrimination based on genetic information and legislate that insurance companies can require not just a physical, but a DNA test prior to covering you.

Anonymous wrote:I heard that these DNA kits are scams and really unreliable...

You probably heard that from someone who didn't like the results they got.

I had genetic testing done before DC was born. Results came back that I am a Tay Sachs gene carrier. The geneticist said to me, "I thought you said your husband was Jewish, not you." I was flummoxed. As far as I know, I am not Jewish. 1 in 500 non-Jewish people, or something like that, carry the gene. Maybe I'll have the DNA testing done to find out if it can explain the Tay Sachs marker.

Anonymous wrote:I haven't done it, but 18-year-old DS asked for this for Christmas. So 23andme is wrapped and under the tree, LOL.

I'd be very reluctant to have my kids do this. If the country ever moves away from the move towards national healthcare (which it seems we are definitely about to do!!) there may soon come a time when insurance companies can deny you coverage for any diseases for which you show a genetic predisposition.

To the pp about the legal issues, my heritage matters more. Also, no one is going to be "clean" of all genetics messes.
Easiest thing to do is CHANGE YOUR NAME on the submission and put various family members under one email account.
My husband, mother, mother in law, and my aunt are all on my account. All with different names, and my Dna is not there.

Has anyone with known origins in Asia or Africa done this? I'm just curious if they have built up as much of a database for those parts of the world.

I've long suspected Jewish ancestry despite all known ancestors being Christian. I have 23andMe on my wishlist and hope I get it. (I also don't care about my genetic information being tossed around.)

I know a family who found a previously secret family member, a child given up for adoption by parent. They have been reunited and the family is working hard to catch up and get to know each other.

doodlebug wrote:^^ For whom would sharing their DNA info be a problem? Anyone could look at me and see my last name and make a pretty accurate guess about my heritage. Why is having that info out there a problem?

Sharing with insurance company that you have a predisposition of a hereditary disease could be an example. Although if you don't register your name, I can't imagine this would be an issue.

I've been given a DNA test as a Christmas gift. I thought about the potential issues with what could be done with my DNA info, but decided I don't care. I have literally nothing to lose. I already can't afford medical care.

^^ For whom would sharing their DNA info be a problem? Anyone could look at me and see my last name and make a pretty accurate guess about my heritage. Why is having that info out there a problem?

Please be careful with your DNA information. Once the information is out there, you cannot take it back.

From the terms of service for 23andMe:

Genetic Information you share with others could be used against your interests. You should be careful about sharing your Genetic Information with others. Currently, very few businesses or insurance companies request genetic information, but this could change in the future. While the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act was signed into law in the United States in 2008, its protection against discrimination by employers and health insurance companies for employment and coverage issues has not been clearly established. In addition, GINA does not cover life or disability insurance providers. Some, but not all, states and other jurisdictions have laws that protect individuals with regard to their Genetic Information. You may want to consult a lawyer to understand the extent of legal protection of your Genetic Information before you share it with anybody.

Furthermore, Genetic Information that you choose to share with your physician or other health care provider may become part of your medical record and through that route be accessible to other health care providers and/or insurance companies in the future. Genetic Information that you share with family, friends or employers may be used against your interests. Even if you share Genetic Information that has no or limited meaning today, that information could have greater meaning in the future as new discoveries are made. If you are asked by an insurance company whether you have learned Genetic Information about health conditions and you do not disclose this to them, this may be considered to be fraud.