{"id":89853,"date":"2023-03-03T09:55:48","date_gmt":"2023-03-03T14:55:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.genealogybank.com\/?p=89853"},"modified":"2023-08-14T09:29:53","modified_gmt":"2023-08-14T13:29:53","slug":"how-accurate-are-ancestry-dna-matches","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.genealogybank.com\/blog\/how-accurate-are-ancestry-dna-matches.html","title":{"rendered":"How Accurate Are Ancestry DNA Matches?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Not long ago, the idea of sending a sample of your saliva to a DNA testing company to learn about your family tree would have sounded like something from a science fiction novel. But today, finding long-lost relatives and revealing valuable genetic information that could potentially extend your life is as easy as spitting in a cup. So now that genetic testing has gone mainstream, consumers are wondering: how accurate are ancestry DNA matches?<\/p>\n

People want to know that they\u2019re getting correct information from DNA testing for two reasons.<\/p>\n

First of all, consumers deserve to get what they pay for. After all, at-home genetic testing can range from under $100 to a few thousand dollars. So, if a company tells you that your sample will be tested in a scientific lab by professional researchers, you should be able to trust that.<\/p>\n

Secondly, DNA testing can change people\u2019s lives. Your DNA test can reveal new information about your parentage or a genetic predisposition for a certain health disorder, so the information it provides must be reliable.<\/p>\n

So how accurate are these DNA tests? First, let\u2019s discuss a little bit about how they work.<\/p>\n

What Is DNA?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA, is your cells\u2019 unique code of information that makes you different from every other human on earth. If you were to look at DNA through a microscope, you would see a strand that looks like a twisting ladder. Chemicals called nucleotides make up the ladder\u2019s rungs, and groups of them form what we call genes. Your genes determine everything from your hair and eye color to what diseases you are at risk for developing in the future.<\/p>\n

All of this information and more is organized into 23 pairs of chromosomes. Only one pair of chromosomes determines your biological sex; the rest are referred to as autosomal chromosomes. The unusual structure of chromosomes is responsible for the spool-like shape of a DNA strand, and the information in a single human cell would stretch out to six feet long.<\/p>\n

You inherit half of your chromosomes from each parent, which is why you can often see traits of both parents in a child. Mitochondria DNA (present in males and females) is inherited from the mother, while Y-DNA (usually only present in males) is passed on from the father.<\/p>\n

How Do DNA Tests Work?<\/strong><\/p>\n

You’re not alone if you doubt that DNA tests are truly accurate. After all, it\u2019s hard to believe that a simple spit test from the comfort of your home could reveal a wealth of information about your ancestry, including the migration path your ancient ancestors followed to get to the region where you live today. In order to measure DNA tests\u2019 reliability, it\u2019s important to understand how they work.<\/p>\n

Each company has its own process, but the basics of an at-home DNA test are fairly straightforward: you purchase the kit from an ancestry DNA service provider and follow the directions for collecting a sample. Most kits require only a small amount of saliva, either spat into a tube or collected on a swab. Once you have the sample, you ship it in the included envelope to the testing company.<\/p>\n

You will also need to create an online account to access your information once it\u2019s available. Each kit includes a unique access code you must enter into your account to view any information, so you can rest assured knowing that your data will remain private.<\/p>\n

Once the DNA sample is processed and compared with your testing company\u2019s database, you can review the results online.<\/p>\n

So, are DNA tests accurate if they\u2019re that simple? You might be surprised to learn that the answer is mostly yes, depending on the type.<\/p>\n

Types of DNA Tests<\/strong><\/p>\n

So, how accurate are ancestry DNA matches? The answer to this question lies partly in which type of DNA is used. Researchers can isolate and examine three types of DNA: Y-DNA, mtDNA, and autosomal DNA.<\/p>\n

Y-Chromosome Testing<\/strong><\/p>\n

Y-DNA chromosome testing is used to trace a family\u2019s male line. Y chromosomes are only passed from father to son, and most biological females don\u2019t carry the Y chromosome in their genetic makeup. Therefore, testing the Y chromosome can provide information about a man\u2019s Y-chromosome haplogroup \u2013 the line of ancient male ancestors from which your family\u2019s male line descends.<\/p>\n

Mitochondrial Testing<\/strong><\/p>\n

Mothers pass down mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) to all their children, regardless of biological sex. Since every person has mtDNA, researchers can test it universally. While Y-DNA can only convey information about your father and the male relatives on his father\u2019s side, mtDNA provides information about all of the aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents on your mother\u2019s side.<\/p>\n

Autosomal DNA Testing<\/strong><\/p>\n

Your 22 pairs of autosomal chromosomes contain the genetic code you share with everyone you\u2019re related to \u2013 on both sides of your family. As a result, many testing companies isolate autosomal DNA because it gives the most detailed information about your ancestry and allows labs to look for a wider range of information.<\/p>\n

Are DNA Tests Accurate?<\/strong><\/p>\n

So, you finally get the notification that your DNA sample has been examined, and your ancestry reports are ready to view. You use your secret access code to open your account, but all you see is a long list of names you\u2019re unfamiliar with. This might leave you wondering, is ancestry legit or not?<\/p>\n

It\u2019s important to remember that ancestry tests predict relationships based on the amount of DNA you share with others. The software doesn\u2019t know how you are related \u2013 only that you share DNA. Therefore, your test results could show a mix of distant relatives you\u2019ve never heard of, along with closer relatives you are familiar with.<\/p>\n

Reasons for Accuracy<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re using a mainstream DNA testing company that employs certified technicians that work in a professional lab, it\u2019s unlikely to find many mistakes or much misinformation in your report. However, the way your DNA is processed isn\u2019t the only factor. The quality and breadth of the company\u2019s database<\/a> also make a difference. After all, ancestry matches are just that \u2013 matches. And without enough supporting data, there\u2019s not much to match your results to afterward.<\/p>\n

Comparing your DNA sample to that of others requires a large database. If the testing service you are using does not have access to a substantial ancestry DNA database, the information you receive could be incomplete if not technically inaccurate.<\/p>\n

To increase your chances of receiving the best possible information, consider the following tips when buying an at-home DNA test:<\/p>\n