The DNA tests are only for men
It is true that some tests are available for men to take (Y-DNA tests), there are also other types of DNA tests that men and women can take. The reason why the Y-DNA tests are available only to biological male because he is testing the Y chromosome, which is passed from father to son. If a biological woman wanted to know more about his paternal side with DNA tests, it could have a close male relative taking this kind of test for her. Furthermore, mtDNA tests are available for men and women because it traces the mitochondrial portion of the DNA of someone (hence the name mtDNA) and this is something that is passed mother to child, male or female. The third type of DNA testing, autosomal tests are available for men and women, because this kind of test is the DNA found on a non-sex chromosome - meaning biological sex does not play a role in this kind of test.
Your information is pubic and unsecure
One of the biggest hesitations people have when it comes to DNA testing is the risk of having their information in a public database, or worse, potentially having stolen by hackers. Those concerned with employers or health insurance companies having access to your DNA results do not need to worry because federal law prohibits it with the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (GINA). Also, if you want others in the genealogy database to see your information or connect with you is completely up to you. Before you send your DNA sample back to the lab for testing, you can fill out a form to disclose your details and inform you of all possible matches, or decline and keep your information private account. Many of these services also use laboratories of trust and research facilities that encrypt your results before entering them into the database, which helps protect against piracy.
DNA tests require a blood sample
At one point, a blood sample may have been necessary to perform a DNA test, but science and technology have come a long way since then. Now if you want to perform a DNA test for genealogy, all that is needed is a saliva sample or buffer. Some of these companies, such as Ancestry, provide you with a tube for a sample of saliva, while others, like MyHeritage ask cheek swab samples for the test. Visit this blog for more information on how you do the testing and dissemination process.
Want to know more about these services? Check out our review of the genealogy for more information on how to start with a DNA test or sign up for a service and start building your family tree. Also, make sure to follow our genealogy blog for tips on how to start or continue your family research project.