Well, this IS exciting … DNA Tests!
Did you ever know that such a thing could be so unbelievably addictive?
No!? … Neither did I, but here we are with me starring down the barrel of a full blown addiction toward spitting into tubes and swabbing the inside of my cheek with something other than my husband’s tongue — or even the indulgent creamy froth on the top of the very occasional cappuccino I could also, so very easily, become addicted to.
So, now that we’ve established the fact that I’m a basically an Ancestry & Genealogy Nerd, lets get to the nitty gritty of DNA tests.
On the 2nd of December 2021 I filmed a video to explain the process of taking DNA tests, while I was in the process of submitting samples to two ancestral DNA companies — Ancestry and Living DNA.
But lets also be honest here, this was also a video to share my excitement and anticipation with anyone else who knows the form of enthralling roller-coaster ride of DNA tests that I am speaking of.
Before I share the link to the first of three videos I have posted about this process over on my YouTube Channel I should just clarify that I have no affiliation in any way with either of the companies I have chosen to use for these most recent tests. —Other than being a consumer of all things ancestral and family history related!
Having completed this first video I realised I had not really covered the “Traits” or “Wellbeing” components to either of these tests and followed up with a second video which may shed a tad more light on what these tests actually cover.
Maybe!?
But now I’m thinking a good old fashioned written list of what these tests actually include may be of benefit to those considering delving into the world of DNA tests.
So let’s start with…
Ancestry
Most people know Ancestry.com as quite the power player within ancestry and genealogy circles. For very good reason … Because when it comes to researching family history their products, databases and the size of the community created by their consumers is massive.
Of course being Australian I use Ancestry.com.au, however being in Australia unfortunately also means I don’t have access to all the DNA products that are available to other parts of the world, in particular the US.
Products such as Health Screening DNA Tests.
This unfortunate fact is — from my understanding — due to regulations that are designed to ensure that a medical professional is involved in any person employing services that offer DNA Health Screenings.
And to be honest, as much as it disappoints me that these regulations have prevented my ability to access these products, I can see how in many cases having a trained medical / mental health professional involved isn’t a bad idea.
That said, “Ancestry DNA Traits” is now available in Australia as part of their offerings to Australian consumers.
So, what do you get with the Ancestry DNA kit that includes the “Traits” component?
Well, for starters you get the ancestral basics, which covers…
- Origins & Ethnicity Estimate
- DNA Matches
(Having your DNA matched with other Ancestry consumer’s to connect you with people whom you share a genetic link with … Which can be either really exciting or shockingly confronting depending who you find you have a genetic connection to.)
And now … There is the “Traits” component, for which Ancestry includes the following aspects…
Please note that (**) indicates a cross over of tests between Ancestry and the next company I am about to share with you, Living DNA.
- **Omega-3
- **Vitamin B12
- **Vitamin C
- **Vitamin D
- Vitamin E
- Beta-Carotene
- **Lactose Intolerance
- Alcohol Flush
- Asparagus Metabolite Detection
- Bitter Sensitivity
- Caffeine Consumption
- Cilantro Aversion (Coriander)
- Sun Sneezing
- Sweet Sensitivity
- Savoury Sensitivity
- Facial Hair Thickness
- Birth Weight
- Cleft Chin
- Finger Length
- Earlobe Type
- Earwax Type
- Eye Colour
- Freckles
- Hair Colour
- Hair Type
- Hair Strand Thickness
- Iris Patterns
- Male Hair Loss
- Skin Pigmentation
- Uni-brow
- Wisdom Teeth
- Endurance Fitness
- Heart Rate Recovery
- Muscle Fatigue
- Sprinter Gene
- **VO2 Max
(As Oxygen Flow in Living DNA Test)
Quite a reasonable list of avenues to explore.
Obviously there are many “just for fun” aspects within that list, but “just for fun” can have it’s own advantages because you never know what you may find out about yourself or others who share your DNA.
So moving on…
Living DNA
Like Ancestry, Living DNA covers the basics of ancestry, origins and creates matches within their pool of consumers.
However, Living DNA appears to cover slightly more than Ancestry from the ancestral and ethnicity perspective…
- Regional Ancestry
- Sub-Regional Ancestry
- Your DNA Today
- Your Extended Ancestry
- Family DNA Matches
However, the Wellbeing component appears a tad less in depth compared with Ancestry’s Traits…
- **Omega-3
- **Vitamin B12
- **Vitamin C
- **Vitamin D
- **Lactose
- Coeliac Disease
- Carbs & Sugar
- Strength
- Recovery
- Trainability
- Blood Vessels
- Tendons
- **Oxygen Flow
(As VO2 Max in Ancestry Test)
One other thing I really LOVE about Living DNA’s products on offer, is the option to purchase a book containing all the information about your personal DNA … Okay, so it’s not a cheap product by any stretch, but for a full blown Ancestry & Genealogy Nerd like me, it’s far more valuable than any amount of money.
Summing It All Up
Between these two companies, the crossover of some tests and the uniqueness of others — I have to say I feel quietly confident that it will be extremely “interesting” process. (If you want to know why I put so much of an emphasis on “interesting” you’ll have to watch the videos to get the little in joke on that one.)
So, if my little journey has inspired you at all, I hope this basic little run down has given you a tad more insight between these two companies, as I wish you much excitement and joyous anticipation in your ancestral journey.
I will most likely do more tests in the future with other companies, and depending on the interest shown I may also do more in depth posts and/or videos on the subject in the future.
But for now, if you don’t have time to watch the two videos above, as least check out this minute long video of the basics — and have yourself a good ol laugh on me.
