One of life’s greatest quests is learning to live with the person you are meant to be. For each one of us, the quest to understanding who we are at our core is a little bit different, but the purpose of the quest is the same. One of the ways that you might consider helping you fulfill your quest is to understand your DNA.
After all, while you might think of yourself as so much more than your physical body, your DNA has a lot to do with who you are. It helps determine your health, it contains information about your ancestors, and it can explain various traits of your personality. Your DNA is like the key to who you are.
As scientific technology continues to get stronger, services like AncestryDNA and 23andMe have brought DNA testing away from crime scenes and into the realm of the everyday person. Now, you can have a DNA test delivered to your front door. There is no need to be suspected of a crime in order to have access to this powerful technology any longer.
In fact, DNA kits have become so popular that more and more people are requesting them as gifts for holidays like Christmas or their birthday. You can also get a DNA test for your pets as well.
While plenty of people are buying DNA kits, the market remains overwhelmingly saturated with different options for them. It can be hard to determine which DNA kit is the best for your particular situation. In fact, there are even certain DNA tests that are better for different ethnicities.
This list discusses the best DNA kit for Asian ancestry. Other kits might work better for different situations. So, it can be hard to understand which kit is the best for you, especially considering the overwhelming number of kits on the market today.
Before you can decide which ancestry kit is best for you, we should get you some basic understanding of how the testing works. You see, by understanding how it works you will have a better chance of choosing the right kit for your needs.
How Does DNA Testing Work
Read a little bit about each of the types of DNA testing available below. You should keep this information handy when you begin to research which kit you would like for your own DNA testing.
Autosomal Testing
Autosomal testing is a basic DNA test. This is the most common form of DNA test found on the market and it essentially looks at your genes that determine your sex. Through this process, the test is able to identify people who may be distantly related to you. Further, this type of testing is able to break down your ethnic percentages.
This type of DNA testing will also provide some insight into the hereditary probability that you might inherit certain diseases. As an added bonus, it can tell you your eye color. While we know you can see that in a mirror, it is pretty cool to see it from a DNA test.
mtDNA
Formally known as mitochondrial DNA, mtDNA looks only at the lineage of your mother. Specifically, the strands of DNA that are passed from a mother to her child. These strands of DNA are not easily altered, so they can be traced back many years.
Y-DNA
Y-DNA, as its name suggests, focuses on the male chromosome. It looks at your father’s lineage. Strands of DNA that are passed from a father to a son can trace your paternal line. Only males can actually have Y-DNA tested. This means that if a woman wants to trace her paternal lineage, she will have to have her father or brother get testing done.
Final Thoughts
Genetic testing is a great way to understand your family history and yourself. If you are thinking about purchasing a DNA kit, then you may be surprised about all of the fascinating information you can learn when you get your results in. Keep the information about different types of testing in mind as you look for the right test for you.
