DNA Test Results

Back in February, I talked about having my DNA tested by this company.  I was excited to learn a bit more about my ancestry and anxious to learn more about my health. 

The technology involved is amazing, and I've always been really intrigued by genetics.  Here are some things that I learned about my DNA:

I am of 99.7% European ancestry, 0.1% Sub-Saharan African, and 0.2% unassigned. I also learned that 2.9% of my DNA is from Neanderthals.  Awesome, right!? Of course, they offer way more information than this--I haven't even combed through all of it yet.

They also offer a bit of insight into your health.  They tell you what conditions or diseases you might be at risk for developing due to your genetic composition.  One thing I learned is that I am at a higher risk for developing celiac disease. 

They also let you know some conditions or diseases that you might have a lower risk for developing.  I learned that I have a lower risk for developing breast cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, and Alzheimer's disease. 

Another section included in the report is about your genetic traits.  There are things like your probable eye color (as if you didn't already know) and hair texture and earwax type (!) and tolerance to lactose.  I learned that I am likely resistant to the most common strain of the norovirus, which is news that made me do a happy dance!

If you are at all interested in your genetic history, or maybe you want to learn more about your health, check out these kits.  Of course, there is no turning back once you read your reports. Learning whether or not you have the genetic markers for diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's can be scary and is not for everyone. But I believe that knowing what may be in your future is empowering.

What do you think? Would you do it? What would you be most anxious to find out?