Ancestry DNA test is gaining popularity and traction among people from all walks of life. The lure of knowing about one’s past and history is too tempting to ignore. However, this also means that there is a lot of misinformation being fed via various media and many are making the mistake of believing them. We are here to bust some myths and establish facts about the ancestry DNA test.
Today you will know what you can definitely find out and what you can’t when you are taking your ancestry DNA test. It is much better to take an informed decision as compared to just believe on unconfirmed sources. It also allows you to determine if you are truly taking the right decision by investing in the ancestry DNA test kit.
Know the facts about ancestry DNA test
Before we begin, know this, there are different types of DNA ancestry tests available and not everyone will give the same result. Basically, you will have three test options and two among them are gender neutral. One test will give your paternal lineage, the other will provide the maternal lineage, and the third option gives both lineage results. It depends upon the objective of the person taking the test what he/she will opt for. However, there are restrictions to the genealogy testing as well. Let’s find out the facts and know what’s true.
What can the ancestry DNA test reveal?
When you are opting for ancestry DNA test, you are going to find the following details about yourself.
Ethnic mix
You will find your ethnic mix in terms of percentage. What percentage of which ethnicity you belong to is revealed in the result. This gives a general idea about the people your ancestors mixed with centuries ago.
Common ancestors
You will be able to track down common ancestors between yourself and other participants in the study. This works only when the participant’s details are updated in the database managed by the organization that is conducting your genealogy test.
Parents
Even though the ancestry DNA test isn’t really conducted with this as the primary objective, but for the ones who have been adopted, it opens up the scope of finding their biological parents and knowing the true heritage.
The relation between common surname holders
Two supposedly non-related members having the same surname can actually find out what relation they have among themselves, if any at all.
What your DNA ancestry test cannot reveal?
There are things, however, that your DNA ancestry test will never be able to reveal. Check them out.
Personal medical information
There is practically no way that your genealogy test will ever be able to reveal your personal medical information. The person conducting the test cannot determine the diseases you might have at present or suffered from in the past. There is no risk of your medical history being revealed at all.
Genetic diseases or disorders
These tests are unable to determine any genetic disease or disorder you have at present or might develop in the future. The test can never be substituted for a proper medical examination.
Exact relationship with any person
While the genealogy test will allow you to establish if you have any common ancestor, and thus a relationship with any person, there is no way it can tell you how you two are related or who your great-grandparents were unless there is documented history.
There are plenty of myths surrounding these tests. However, in reality, these tests are as effective as the database that is accessed. Organizations like CRI Genetics, are thus mixing other factors to get a better and more accurate result about the lineage of a person.
