Things To Know Before Using A Dna Testing Kit

Home DNA testing kits work in a variety of ways, offering a variety of information about your heritage, medical history, and other factors that you might not otherwise know about yourself. DNA testing kits analyze a person's autosomes, the numbered chromosomes in a person's genetic makeup. They take an inventory of the various potential ethnic groups that may be present in your DNA as they work to identify common genetic traits, such as diseases to which you may be predisposed or at risk.

These tests are designed to reveal our genetic identity based on ethnicity or geographic location. However, Pisto warns that while these tests can be fascinating and can represent the vast diversity of human genetic history, we should be wary of what these discoveries actually tell us. Most genetic tests are done using a simple cheek swab to take a sample of the patient's DNA.

It is very important to remember that genetic data collected from mailed test kits are not classified as official health data, which means HIPAA regulations do not protect them. The FDA warns that testing conducted directly by the consumer can provide false or misleading information and recommends talking to a doctor before using the results to make health choices.