DNA BASICS

I belong to a few DNA facebook pages, and I see the same questions posted over and over.

So I decided to write a blog on DNA basics to help out someone new to DNA and to refresh everyone else on how it works

First some biology basics

a woman gets an X from mom and an X from dad

a man gets an X from mom and a Y from dad

There are 3 types of tests

• autosomal
• MTDNA (traces mitochondrial dna)
• Y DNA (trances a Man's Y--his father's father's father etc)

  

Anyone can take the autosomal DNA test, which is the least expensive and should be the first test taken if looking for a blood relative.

• A woman or man can take the MTDna test to determine things about their mitochondrial dna 
• A man can take the Y Dna test to determine things about his father's line 
• A woman should never take the Y DNA test as she doesn't carry a Y chromosome

Places to test:

  

There are 5 major sites to test your DNA

• Ancestry
• cost varies between $69 on sale and $99, one Facebook group has an ongoing sale for $79
• Autosomal only (however, you can extract the Y haplogroup with 3rd party tools)

• 23 and Me
• Autosomal test costs $99, or $199 for test and health history

• FT DNA
• Autosomal test $79
• MT DNA $79-$199
• Y DNA $169-$359

Living DNA

MY Heritage

Some important information to know:

Ancestry by DNA is not a good place to test. They advertise on Groupon and have been reported by many to be a scam on the info they give you.  Steer clear unless you want to give away your hard earned money.

Gedmatch is a FREE service that you can upload your autosomal DNA results from any of the 3 sites, and you can see matches from anyone else who uploaded no matter what site they tested on. Now called Genesis

For example:

I test on Ancestry and upload my results

My long lost sister tests on 23 and me and uploads hers

My father tests at FTDna and uploads his results

I can see both my sister and my father's results and compare to mine.   So you don't have to test at all 3 sites. Especially if you are just starting out.  Start with Ancestry first. (the largest database)

 Promethease is a website that will take your DNA results and give you medical information for a mere $15.  It sure beats the additional $100 that 23 and me is charging.