“Should I take a DNA test?” you ask. Great question!
First, it is helpful to know exactly what autosomal DNA testing (abbreviated as atDNA) is and what it is not. I will briefly summarize some key points, but I highly recommend that you read more on these topics in reputable articles, blogs, and books.1
What autosomal DNA testing is:
- Autosomal DNA test results are essentially a list of other test takers with whom you have atDNA in common (called DNA matches). The amount of atDNA you share with an individual will be used by the testing company to predict a relationship or relationship range between you. The more atDNA you share, the more closely you are related. Some of these DNA matches may have linked their test results to a traditional family tree. Most likely, additional effort will be required on your part if you want to puzzle out your connections to each of these DNA matches. You will end up grouping matches, messaging them, and yes, doing old-fashioned genealogical research in records. In other words, your atDNA test results combined with other genealogy research can very likely help you to identify biological relatives.
What autosomal DNA testing is not:
- Though DNA testing companies advertise that you can learn about your ethnic heritage through their reports, it is important to note that the ethnicity reports generated are estimates only. These estimates are based on sample populations which are continually updated, so you will likely see the percentages change over time. In short, this aspect of your atDNA test results may provide you with some vague leads on your genealogical journey, but it is largely “for fun.”
- Another common misunderstanding about atDNA is that atDNA tests reveal important health information to test takers, perhaps even predicting major health problems or eventual cause of death. First, scientists say that environment plays a bigger role in determining health than does DNA. Furthermore, most testing companies do not look at genes with direct correlation to diseases. Even the one company that does (23andme) states their results cannot be considered as diagnostic.2
Back to what autosomal DNA is and what it can do: atDNA test results can inform test takers they have DNA relatives within the same database. For test takers who hope to find additional family members, this is good news. For those who are unprepared to learn they have a previously unknown close relative, this can be unsettling or upsetting. Many news articles have been written detailing the families traumatized by long-kept secrets revealed by atDNA results (infidelity, donated sperm, being switched at birth). I recommend perusing the resources pulled together by the International Society of Genetic Genealogy about unexpected results.3
It is also imperative that atDNA test takers understand they cannot be guaranteed anonymity. Pseudonyms can be assumed, consent may be given or withheld to include your DNA in specific databases, etc. But the end goal of most DNA testing (to find genetic matches) can only be accomplished with some degree of results sharing. Become familiar with testing companies’ terms of service and privacy policies and only test if you are comfortable with your chosen company’s conditions.
So why would you ever want to take an autosomal DNA test? At least one reason might be to find answers if you have questions about biological parentage within the last four or so generations of your family. Finding your genetic matches can put you in possession of evidence that may be difficult or impossible to obtain elsewhere. In other words, atDNA testing might be for you if you are an adoptee, you suspect misattributed parentage within the last four generations of your tree, or you have a “brick wall” ancestor within those generations. (Again, be aware that a lot of traditional genealogy work will also likely be involved.)
In the end, the decision of whether you should take an autosomal DNA test is yours and yours alone. Again, I encourage you to become informed by familiarizing yourself with the content of the companies’ websites and as well as less biased content.4 It would be best to have a plan for your privacy and results sharing settings, DNA storage, and so forth before you submit a sample. Also consider carefully how you will feel and what you will do with unexpected results if they arise.
If you should decide to spit or swab and send, look forward to making discoveries about yourself and your family!
1. A book that I highly recommend: Blaine Bettinger, The Family Tree: Guide to DNA Testing and Genetic Genealogy (Cincinnati, Ohio: Family Tree Books, Inc., 2019).
2. 23andme Inc., 23andme.com (https://www.23andme.com/dna-reports-list/ : accessed 29 Apr 2021), footnotes indicated by *.
3. ISOGG Wiki, “Unexpected results,” (https://isogg.org/wiki/), rev.20:36, 9 August 2020.
4. Again, I recommend ISOGG’s Wiki, especially the pages on “Genealogical DNA testing myths” and “Beginners’ guides to genetic genealogy.”
connectthedotsgenealogy.com 