What ancestry test is right for you?
Thanks to incredible advances in science and technology in recent years, genetic testing has become easier, more affordable, and more useful than ever before. These genetic tests can tell you more about your health, help you plan your fitness goals, or even turn your DNA information into a physical keepsake.
Of course, genetic tests can also tell you about your ancestry. In fact, ancestry is one of the most popular categories of genetic testing—perhaps you even have some friends or family members who’ve been tested themselves. You might think that these types of tests are limited to a pie chart showing what percentage of your DNA came from which continents, but ancestry testing is so much more: With nothing more than a saliva sample, you can deeply explore your ancient origins, revealing everything from the migration patterns that your ancestors took to your traits that were inherited from other hominid species like Neanderthals.
With all these features, choosing the ancestry test that’s right for you can be challenging. Fortunately, with Helix, you don’t need to shop around—you’ll find a great selection of ancestry DNA testing kits all available in one place.
Not sure where to start? Keep reading to find out which ancestry DNA testing kit may be right for you.
Do you want a wide range of ancestry insights? Geno 2.0 by National Geographic might be the right choice for you. First launched in 2005, the Genographic Project is widely regarded as one of the most comprehensive studies of genetic ancestry ever undertaken. You’ll learn your regional ancestry broken down by percentage, the routes your ancestors took, how much Neanderthal DNA you have, and what “geniuses”—famous figures from across history—you share ancestry with. What’s more, you’ll get access to Geno 2.0’s recently launched iPhone app, where you can get a video summary of your ancestry, take a side-by-side selfie with a Neanderthal, and share them both with friends!
Curious to learn more about your Neanderthal ancestry? Neanderthal by Insitome is worth checking out. With this product, you’ll have the opportunity to see which of your traits were derived from your Neanderthal ancestors, and which came from modern humans. From hair color to viral immune response, Neanderthal takes a detailed look at how our hominid cousins influenced our genome. Available for web and iOS.
Want some unexpected ancestry insights? Look no further than Metabolism by Insitome, which connects your genetic ancestry to the way your body interacts with certain foods. This is made possible by the fact that our DNA was influenced by the switch from hunting-gathering to agriculture. With Metabolism, you’ll be able to take a detailed look at individual traits (like caffeine metabolism and lactose tolerance) to see which historical cultures influenced them. Available for web and iOS.
Are you most interested in the geography of your ancestry? Consider Regional Ancestry by Insitome. This product offers detailed insights on what portions of your DNA came from ancestors on which continents—then it goes a step further, exploring your origins by region. Are you more Bantu or Basque? Regional Ancestry can help you find out. Available for web and iOS.
