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PROS AND CONS OF ANCESTRY DNA TESTS
By Maria Rubtsova
If you've ever wondered where your ancestors lived 10,000 years ago or if you find yourself stuck researching your family tree, DNA tests may be able to help.
Direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic testing services such as 23andMe and AncestryDNA have grown in popularity over the years as genealogy resources. DNA kits are simple to use and relatively inexpensive.
Let's discuss some benefits and drawbacks of ancestry DNA tests.
PROS
• DNA tests may help you in locating family members who have been separated due to emigration, name changes, war or political conflict. It may also be useful if documents relating to your relatives have been lost or destroyed, and you simply do not have enough data to conduct reliable genealogy research.
• You can discover your ancestors' ethnicity, where they came from thousands of years ago, and follow their migration path through the centuries. Some genetic testing services can provide you with historical context, interactive maps, and other genealogy-related tools.
• DNA testing is the simplest, quickest, and sometimes the only way for adopted children to learn about their families, or for parents whose children have been adopted to reconnect.
• DTC services have become more accurate over time with each submitted test. Some DNA testing services may use your anonymous data to conduct medical or scientific research. It may one day help in the complete understanding of the human genome or the discovery of cures for genetic diseases.
• Creating a profile on one of the DTC services provided some people with a connection to new communities, allowing them to rediscover themselves and their ancestors' origins, learn new cultures, and even find new traveling opportunities.
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