One of the growing trends right now in genealogy is DNA testing to learn about your heritage and where you came from.
Wouldn’t it be nice to know what you could expect as you age if it’s in your DNA but without expensive medical testing?
Now you can know. Companies like Helix, 23andMe and Color offer DNA testing for medical purposes.
| About | Helix is headquartered in San Carlos, California and was founded July 15, 2015.Helix partners with many organizations to provide its products and services for DNA analysis and health screening. | 23andMe is headquartered in Mountain View, California and was founded in 2008. | Color.com is headquartered in Burlingame, California and was founded in 2015. |
| Cost | Helix DNA test $80 which must be completed before the health screening tests.
|
$199 which includes ancestry testing. | Color.com offers two tests.
|
| How does it work? | You will receive a test kit where you will provide a saliva sample that will be mailed to the processing lab. | You will receive a test kit where you will provide a saliva sample that will be mailed to the processing lab. | You will receive a test kit where you will provide a saliva sample that will be mailed to the processing lab. |
| How long does it take? | 4-6 weeks | 6-8 weeks | 3-4 weeks |
| What kind of diseases and disorders can they possibly detect? | Inherited medical conditions
|
Diseases & Disorders
Wellness Reports
Genetic Traits
|
Inherited medical conditions
|
| What do I get in return? | You will receive a report for the DNA sequencing that will provide the risks associated with inherited diabetes (MODY) or high cholesterol (familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). | You will receive a comprehensive report that will contain risk factors for certain genes prone to specific cancers and genetic traits that are detected as well as a complete heritage report.Your heritage information will allow you to connect with DNA matches for potential relatives who have also taken the 23andMe test. | You will receive a comprehensive report for the tests you take. The reports will contain risk factors and if certain genes prone to specific cancers are detected.Counseling options and steps for what to do with your results are also provided. |
| Will my results ever be used publicly? | No | No | No |
| Does the company share my DNA information? | Helix.com will always obtain your permission to use your DNA results within their database or the partner companies for the tests you’ve chosen but with your identity removed. Permissions are always revocable. | 23andMe may use your data with any personal information stripped to perform statistical analysis reports for research purposes but your individual data will never be shared with third parties. | Color.com will not share your results with third parties. |
Disclaimer: These tests are not intended to diagnose or treat existing medical conditions and should not be used in place of medical professionals. Famicity.com does not promote or endorse any of these companies for this purpose. Please seek medical attention for any health problems you may be having.
Have you thought about taking a DNA test for medical purposes? Which test did you take? What did you learn?
