As the concerns for DNA at-home tests privacy continue to rise, one criminal case in Florida is drawing attention to lack of privacy yet again.

A Florida detective recently revealed he had obtained a warrant from a local judge to search the GEDmatch database of over one million profiles in order to solve his case. This appears to be the first record of a judge approving such a warrant. Such development could have profound implications for genetic privacy.

DNA policy experts suspect the development was likely to embolden similar search warrants from 23andMe, which has 10 million users, and Ancestry.com, which has 15 million.

“That’s a huge game-changer,” said Erin Murphy, a law professor at New York University. “[GEDmatch] made a decision to keep law enforcement out, and that’s been overridden by a court. It’s a signal that no genetic information can be safe.”

The two most popular at-home DNA test companies, Ancestry.com and 23andMe, assure their consumers they will keep DNA off-limits to forensics. But this judicial overturning clearly says otherwise.

However, at DNA Paternity Testing, you can rest assured that your results are safe with us because they are protected by HIPAA standards! We use extreme measures to keep your medical information secure, especially with our home kits. We train all our staff on all HIPAA compliance policies and ensuring that all tests and counseling remain confidential.

DNA Paternity Testing provides rock-solid answers to important questions like parentage and ancestry. With over 2,000 centers nationwide, DNA Paternity Testing Centers is one of the largest, most affordable, networks of accredited DNA testing labs in the United States. Our price is unbeatable without sacrificing quality. We offer DNA testing for paternity, maternity and all other relationships (grandparents, siblings, aunts/uncles).

Call us today at 866.944.9546 or ORDER ONLINE!

Many at-home DNA kits claim they can analyze the customer’s DNA and discover genetically-prone diseases or the key to weight loss. While this might be possible in the future, genetic interpretation hasn’t caught up to the science.

But that doesn’t mean other companies are waiting around for science to catch up.

The next big trend in capitalizing on DNA profiles comes from vitamin companies like Curos and Persona. These companies ask for your DNA results and then offer a personalized vitamin program based upon your nutrient needs.

Their claim is that as our soil becomes increasingly nutrient-deprived, we aren’t absorbing necessary nutrients through our food. Therefore, supplements are crucial to health. While there might be some truth to this theory, nutritionists aren’t sure that supplements and vitamins help at all.

Jennifer Cholewka, a metabolic nutrition support specialist and registered dietitian at Mount Sinai Hospital, says while the idea of personalized supplements is appealing in theory, Curos and Persona aren’t worth pursuing.

She says the questionnaires provided are too basic and don’t give a full assessment of the individual. It doesn’t take into account the person’s diet or lifestyle, which are often the biggest cause for nutrient deficiencies.

Further, since vitamins and supplements can alter metabolic and chemical balances in the body, they need to be added under the supervision of a physician.

At DNA Paternity Testing, you work with a professionally-trained DNA Specialist who will be with you throughout the entire process. We provide clear answers to important questions like parentage and ancestry.

With over 2,000 centers nationwide, DNA Paternity Testing Centers is one of the largest, most affordable, networks of accredited DNA testing labs in the United States. Our price is unbeatable without sacrificing quality. We offer DNA testing for paternity, maternity and all other relationships (grandparents, siblings, aunts/uncles). Call us today at 866.944.9546 or ORDER ONLINE!

For years, take-at-home tests like Ancestry and 23andMe soaring in popularity. They’ve flown off the shelves and through the mail as presents for Christmas, Mother’s and Father’s Day, birthdays, and every holiday between. But Ancestry and 23andMe have seen a sales plummet this year.

Take-at-home tests boast heartwarming reunification stories with beaming newly-related families and fulfilled dreams. Carefully crafted television and social media ads intrigue us into scratching the itch of curiosity to find our forgotten ancestry. Some companies even promise to find the key to weight loss or determine the risk of a certain disease.

But take-at-home tests have recently seen a dark side. They potentially upheave families by unearthing buried family secrets. They’ve been the center of countless scams. Privacy concerns are continuing to rise over how genetic information is stored, who has access to such information, and how such information is used. Customers have rightly become wary.

Trying to keep up with their previous success, Ancestry and 23andMe are currently working to find new niches to lure in new or old customers.

DNA Paternity Testing is different. We aren’t a direct-to-consumer company and don’t try to ride the wave of popularity. We engage with you on a personal level regarding your genetic information.

You can rest assured that your results are safe with us! We use extreme measures to keep your medical information secure, especially with our home kits. We train all our staff on all HIPAA compliance policies and ensuring that all tests and counseling remain confidential.  We never sell or release your information except if needed to comply with HIPAA standards.

DNA Paternity Testing provides rock-solid answers to important questions like parentage and ancestry. With over 2,000 centers nationwide, DNA Paternity Testing Centers is one of the largest, most affordable, networks of accredited DNA testing labs in the United States. Our price is unbeatable without sacrificing quality. We offer DNA testing for paternity, maternity and all other relationships (grandparents, siblings, aunts/uncles). Call us today at 866.944.9546 or ORDER ONLINE!

The “boom” of take-at-home DNA is beginning to lessen. Privacy concerns, fraud, scams, incorrect information, and other issues are beginning to catch up with genetic testing companies. Now that it’s not quite so popular, are genetic tests still a good idea? Alexandra Hansen asked five experts what they thought.

David Krichhoffer, an ethicist, votes DNA testing is fine. However, you need to consider all the risks–such as inaccurate findings, findings you weren’t anticipating, and how the information might be used by employers or forensics–before giving away your genetic information.

Jane Tiller in public health genomics agrees with David, adding that all genetic results must be explained by a genetic counselor. Otherwise, your results are basically useless. For some people, this may be too much work.

Julian Savulescu, who works in biomedical ethics, is very enthusiastic about genetic testing. He believes there’s great and growing potential to understand how your genetics shapes rest of your life, and that this knowledge gives you power over your life. Martin Delatycki, a genetic researcher, also feels strongly in favor of genetic knowledge.

The lone doubter is Sylvia Metcalfe, a biochemistry professor. She cautions that many companies are too overstated in what they claim they can determine from genetics. She also says many companies interpret the same genetic material differently, which yields vastly different results. If you’re worried about medical symptoms, Metcalfe recommends seeing your physician first, who can order a DNA test if they feel it’s necessary. These referrals are to trustworthy testing companies and not direct-to-consumer companies.

DNA Paternity Testing is one of those trustworthy companies. We aren’t a direct-to-consumer company and don’t try to ride the wave of popularity. We engage with you on a personal level regarding your genetic information, use HIPAA compliance policies to keep your information secure, and never sell or release your information.

With over 2,000 centers nationwide, DNA Paternity Testing Centers is one of the largest, most affordable, networks of accredited DNA testing labs in the United States. Our price is unbeatable without sacrificing quality. We offer DNA testing for paternity, maternity and all other relationships (grandparents, siblings, aunts/uncles). Call us today at 866.944.9546 or ORDER ONLINE!

Genetic testing direct-to-consumer companies like Ancestry and 23andMe have experienced a decline in sales this year.

It’s not too surprising. The companies lapped up sales from roughly 30 million customers over a few years. But genetic tests don’t have a high returning customer rate. Once their curiosity is satisfied, customers understandably don’t feel the need to take another test.

But now direct-to-consumer companies are trying to make their sales goals and coming up with new ways to bring in new (or previous) customers.

New ideas in the pipeline include determining certain diseases and diabetes risks, heart disease risk, the likelihood of reacting to certain medications, and others.

As customers, this is where we need to be wary of such promises. We know that currently, genetic testing has outpaced the interpretation of such results. So when a company promises the next genetic breakthrough, we need to be cautious. It might just be bait to lure you in.

Once given to direct-to-consumer companies, genetic information is something you’ll never get back. Be cautious when deciding where to have your DNA tested.

But at DNA Paternity Testing, you can rest assured that your results are safe with us! We use extreme measures to keep your medical information secure, especially with our home kits. We train all our staff on all HIPAA compliance policies and ensuring that all tests and counseling remain confidential.  We never sell or release your information except if needed to comply with HIPAA standards.

With over 2,000 centers nationwide, DNA Paternity Testing Centers is one of the largest, most affordable, networks of accredited DNA testing labs in the United States. Our price is unbeatable without sacrificing quality. We offer DNA testing for paternity, maternity and all other relationships (grandparents, siblings, aunts/uncles). Call us today at 866.944.9546 or ORDER ONLINE!

Genetic testing to reveal family secrets, history, parentage, and personal genetic codes has become a huge market. Around 30 million people have participated in genetic testing. In 2018, the number of tests taken surpassed all previous year’s sales—combined! 2019 promises to be a busy and profitable year for genetic testing companies as well.

Despite all the hype of genetic testing, many customers find themselves disappointed in their results.

Genetics is a complicated subject and not nearly as clear-cut as test companies advertise. Simply put, these companies can’t always give the answers they promise. Results come back with no findings for relatives or can provide misleading information.

A prime example of misleading information regards siblings. As Eric Hamilton puts it, “if you have a Chinese ancestor, you may inherit his or her DNA, of which any genetic company will surely inform you. But your brother might not inherit any piece of DNA from your Chinese forefather and will receive a report where will be no mention of his Chinese ancestry.”

You shouldn’t suspect that a sibling was adopted or sired by a different father if genes don’t match. Chances are you simply didn’t inherit the same genes, even though your parents are the same. Further, Hamilton says, “genes are always passed on unequally to further generations.” But if you’re not aware of this, there can be a lot of disappointment and confusion.

So how can you not be disappointed by your genetic test results? First, by having realistic expectations. Science is mind-blowing and always advancing, but that doesn’t mean it has all the answers yet. There’s so much we have yet to discover.

Second, take your results to your physician or genetic counselor. Take-at-home tests in particular don’t provide any analysis; they just give you the results. This leaves you with many missing pieces that your physician or genetic counselor can provide.

At DNA Paternity Testing, our tests provide rock-solid answers to important questions like parentage and ancestry.

With over 2,000 centers nationwide, DNA Paternity Testing Centers is one of the largest, most affordable, networks of accredited DNA testing labs in the United States. Our price is unbeatable without sacrificing quality. We offer DNA testing for paternity, maternity and all other relationships (grandparents, siblings, aunts/uncles). Call us today at 866.944.9546 or ORDER ONLINE!

Gloria Lee always knew she was adopted at the age of 6 months. But it was never a big deal, Lee says. She had cousins who were adopted, so it was never a big deal. Lee never had a reason to look for her biological family.

But Lee was intrigued by a take-at-home test. Her first test didn’t reveal any family closer than a fifth cousin. To Lee, it wasn’t worth the effort to pursue contact and continued on with her life.

Then after seeing a half-priced take-at-home test a few months later, Lee decided to try again. This time the results indicated Lee had four half-sisters living in California! Lee sent them a message, exchanged photos, and the rest is history.

The sisters met shortly after and spent a whole week catching up. The sisters did know of Lee’s existence, but they explained their mother, Maxine, didn’t talk much about her. The sisters explained that in the five years before their mother’s death in 2007, Maxine wondered if Lee would come looking for her.

“It wasn’t meant to be,” says Lee. “That’s the way I look at it.”

Despite the disappointment of not meeting her mother, the five sisters have thoroughly enjoyed building a relationship and reminiscing over their late mother.

At DNA Paternity Testing, we love to bring families together. We provide rock-solid answers to important questions like parentage and ancestry.

With over 2,000 centers nationwide, DNA Paternity Testing Centers is one of the largest, most affordable, networks of accredited DNA testing labs in the United States. Our price is unbeatable without sacrificing quality. We offer DNA testing for paternity, maternity and all other relationships (grandparents, siblings, aunts/uncles). Call us today at 866.944.9546 or ORDER ONLINE!