Created in 2000, FamilyTreeDNA is one of the oldest direct-to-consumer DNA testing brands in the world today. Since 2006, the company runs all its genetic tests in-house, from its private facilities in Houston, Texas.
One of the main things that set the company apart from the competition is that it does more than autosomal testing. It offers Y-chromosome and mtDNA tests which means they can help you to take a deep dive into your paternal and maternal family history. Contrary to the brand name, however, the company doesn’t really create a family tree. Are you considering ordering a kit? Here are seven other things you need to know about FamilyTreeDNA.
Easy Process, Long Wait Times
The process of getting your swab done and sent to the lab is straightforward. Once you get your DNA test kit, you will find two cheek swabs in the box, an instruction booklet, a registration form, and a return envelope.
Once you post back the envelope, you can check the status of your test on the FamilyTreeDNA website. You will be able to see when it has been received when it is being analyzed and when they have your results.
However, the whole process, from ordering to getting your results, can take a massive 8-10 weeks. The postal service plays a role in the delays, of course, but even customers in the US have reported waiting 5-6 weeks for their results.
Test Options Can Be Confusing When Ordering
FamilyTreeDNA’s service is divided into three main price categories. The Family Finder test is their equivalent of the autosomal test you’ll find with other direct-to-consumer DNA testing services. This costs $59. The mtDNA test which explores your heritage on the maternal line costs $139, while the Y-DNA test which explores your heritage on the paternal line, starts at $119. The Y-DNA test is only for biological males.
On the surface, the pricing looks straightforward until you click the “order now” button. You’ll be taken down the rabbit hole of cross-sells and up-sells. You will much pricier variants of the various tests, offering an even deeper analysis wrapped around very technical language. This can be confusing for most people. As a man, buying all the packages on offer can set you back as much as $650. The price will be a bit cheaper for women who won’t need the paternal test.
If you are not sure of what you need, only order the base variant of each option. If you already have your DNA data from another provider, you can save some money by uploading it and having FamilyTreeDNA analyze it for you.
Results Accuracy Will Vary
With around 20 years of experience, FamilyTreeDNA has one of the largest DNA reference databases in the niche—suspected to be more than one million samples strong. This means that the accuracy of the results generated can be high, at least for some people.
A quick look around online will show you that customers with easily distinguishable DNA traits tend to have better results with others that share DNA characteristics with other groups around the world. This means that if you have African or Asian ancestry, there is a high chance that you will get very accurate results. If you have European ancestry, however, the result can be widely off the mark.
For example, there have been cases of people with German ancestry getting British results. This may be as a result of the genetic similarities between these European groups. However, other companies (with far smaller databases), such as 23andme, don’t have this problem of misidentification. This is something you should think about if you are European.
There is No Health or Lifestyle Analysis
Unlike other brands, FamilyTreeDNA focuses strictly on ancestry analysis. You won’t get any lifestyle recommendations based on your DNA, or see if you have the genes for specific health conditions or physical traits.
You Can Download Your Raw DNA Data
If you want to find out your genetic predispositions, you can download your DNA data from FamilyTreeDNA and upload it on other platforms that offer such a service. The process of requesting your DNA data is straightforward and can be completed from your dashboard once you are logged into the site.
The DNA matchmaking Service is Efficient
As is the case with other DNA testing services, FamilyTreeDNA has a DNA matchmaking service that is efficient at showing you people who share your DNA. It can help you to find long lost relatives or people you don’t even know about. However, this will only connect you to people on the company’s database.
Once you find some matches, you will see the relationship you have with them and the number of shared centimorgans you share. You can then decide to contact them by sending a message right from the dashboard.
Your Data isn’t Very Private Unless You Act
Like all other similar businesses, FamilyTreeDNA says it doesn’t share or sell your genetic data. In 2019, however, a report showed that the company was indeed allowing the FBI to use its database to cross-reference DNA samples from crime scenes. After this report, the company highlighted the fact that people can opt-out of law enforcement matching—described in the company’s Privacy Statement.
You can also find other options for how your DNA data is shared under the “Account Settings” tab and then “Privacy & Sharing”. In this window, you will find a lot of options. Read through each of them and choose what appeals to you. For example, you can decide how much information the company should share with your DNA relatives.
To delete or destroy your genetic data, however, you’ll need to send an email to the customer service.
Conclusion
FamilyTreeDNA is a good DNA testing option to consider if you are interested in going deeper than autosomal tests when researching your ancestry. However, the pricing packages can be prohibitive for some people. If you need more insight into your health and personality, you may have to consider exporting your data to other DNA testing brands like Vitagene or 23andme.