As you may already know, your genetic makeup is unique—no one on the planet shares the same genetic material. (Unless, of course, you have an identical twin.) It’s because of this fact that DNA testing is even possible. Major advances have revolutionized the genetic testing process since its introduction in 1985. Because of these breakthroughs, genetic tests have become popular for a number of different purposes. Here is a look at the top four reasons why you might want to undergo DNA testing yourself.
- To Help Establish Paternity
When most people think of DNA testing, they most commonly associate it with establishing paternity, and for good reason too—there is now a booming industry built around paternity testing. Traditionally, people would have to go to a testing lab in order to get their results, but these days, home testing kits are becoming increasingly popular as well. While DNA paternity tests can’t offer absolute accuracy, high-quality versions of the test can be up to 99% accurate. The theory behind these tests is that since children inherit some of their genetic material from both their father and mother, by comparing the samples from all three it’s possible to determine a match between father and child. First, researchers compare the DNA of the mother and child to establish which genetic information is maternal. Then the remaining DNA sequences from the child are compared to that of the potential father. If there are enough matches, it can be safely assumed that they have paternity.
- To Learn About Potential Health Risks
DNA testing is increasingly becoming popular as a means of early detection for some diseases that have a basis in genetics. Traditionally, researchers would look at one or two specific genes that have been linked with rare but potentially serious conditions like Fragile X syndrome or muscular dystrophy. In some cases, they might also look for genetic mutations that could potentially lead to breast or ovarian cancer. However, DNA testers are more frequently looking at larger sets of genes to assess a person’s risk of more prevalent diseases like obesity or diabetes. The presence of certain genes is not a complete guarantee that someone will develop a condition associated with them, but it can still be helpful, since people who undergo genetic testing can take steps to help reduce their risk.
- To Explore Your Ancestry
The field of genealogy has been revolutionized thanks to advances in DNA testing. In lots of cases, your genes can paint a much more complete and accurate of your family history than official records, such as birth or marriage certificates, can. In addition to helping you discover living relatives who have also had their genes tested, DNA testing can help you learn the ethnicity of your ancestors as well as where they lived and where they migrated from. In fact, researchers have begun a large-scale compilation of genetic data from thousands of people around the world in order to track the migrations of civilizations throughout human history!
- To Prepare for a Worst Case Scenario
Many people who have high-risk careers, such as members of the military, often undergo DNA testing in order to prepare for a worst-case scenario. In the event that they die in a catastrophic event, like a fire or explosion, there may be only a small amount of remains to identify them from. By preemptively storing a DNA sample, researchers can then compare it to the remains found in order to quickly make a positive identification. This not only makes it easier for the researchers to do their job but also can more quickly provide closure to the families involved.
