If you had the opportunity to take a glimpse into your past and foresee your future, would you do it? Because at-home DNA test kits are the most current lifestyle trend that offers just that. 

What is DNA testing?
An at-home DNA testing kit allows customers to submit their DNA sample to DNA testing services that will analyze and provide valuable information about a person’s family history, health and well-being. Unlike a visit to the fortune teller where premonitions of your future are based on a deck of cards or crystal ball, these DNA test results are processed in accredited laboratories based on advanced technologies and algorithms to decode anomalies in a person’s genetic code and trace various data such as ancestral history, food sensitivity and risks assessments of certain diseases including diabetes and cancer.

Why is it so popular?
These at-home DNA testing kits can be purchased online and typically come with a vial for storing DNA samples and instructions that involve either a cheek swab or a saliva sample. It can be done in the convenience and comfort of the customer’s own time and home. The samples are then mailed back to the lab, and within four to eight weeks, results are made available via the company’s website or dedicated app. It offers an accessible and engaging way for people to understand their health and ancestral history and according to market research specialist, Transparency Market Research, the market value of DNA test kits is expected to exceed US$3 billion by 2030.

What can you learn?

Ancestral history
If tracing ethnic roots or even tracking whether or not one is somehow related to royalty, ancestry DNA testing services offer a chance to learn just that. Big names in this sector such as AncestryDNA and 23andMe build their database through biomedical research with both profit and non-profit groups that, with customers’ consent, share anonymized data to provide insight on a person’s lineage, a family’s migration and discovering connections to past and living relatives.

Health & fitness conditions
With a simple swab of saliva sample, people can access comprehensive information about their health. From understanding what type of fitness regime best suits your body type to risk assessment on various diseases including diabetes, heart disease and cancer. The most significant benefit from this test is understanding one’s own health risks and establishing preventive steps and plan a healthier lifestyle routine. Especially for couples planning a family, it could be significant to understand the health conditions their future child might be at risk of. 

Nutrition and personality traits
If nutrition and weight-loss is a major concern, it would be worthwhile to track the various sensitivities a person’s genetic code is prone to have. For example, insight into a person’s level of lactose intolerance and vitamin deficiency can give customers and their nutritionists a better guideline to planning out a healthy nutritional diet. Other DNA testing services also offer comprehensive details across various categories such as skin health, personality traits and even success indicators that indicate a person’s likeliness to succeed in certain areas such as creative projects or entrepreneurship.

Concerns
While clinical DNA testing has long been used to determine health and genetic relations, the now trending ‘direct-to-consumer’ at-home kits are relatively new to the market and may raise concerns regarding the legal policies and privacy of consumer data are still being regulated. There is also a question of accuracy in results, which is why in an interview with Cleaveland Clinic, certified genetic counsellor Marissa Coleridge advises against basing health decisions on at-home DNA tests results without the proper consultation from a professional doctor.

Where to order a test kit?
Whether your curiosity is prompted by health concerns or unveiling your ancestry history, its best to opt for certified testing services that process samples in accredited labs, here are a few noteworthy companies to choose from:  

AncestryDNA
AncestryDNA is the largest database of family tree and most effective ancestry matching algorithm available, especially in Asia. They offer insightful geographic details about countries a family originated from as well as specific regions they migrated to. There is also the option to download the ancestry result to keep and request for DNA samples and results to be deleted from their database.
Price: From HK$768

CircleDNA
CircleDNA is an all-rounded genetic analysis that uses comprehensive technology that  provides up to 500 reports of personalised blueprint of how food affects a customer’s body and recommends which type of workout is best suited for his or her body type, followed up with a consultation with an on-site nutritionist and genetics specialist to walk through the results with customers.
Price: From HK$3,591

23andMe
23andMe is one of the most well-known DNA testing service that analyses genetic health risks and deep ancestry history from genetic traits and haplogroups (a group of genes that is inherited from a single parent) to neanderthal ancestry. Like AncestryDNA, 23andMe is CLIA-certified and uses an advance algorithm to find comprehensive genetic matches.
Price: From HK$768