Where Should I Test My Genes?

DNA, Where Should I Test My Genes?, Marin Magazine

There’s a lot of competition out there for your spit these days; it can be hard to figure out which DNA testing service best suits your needs. Here’s a look at some of the most popular.

Marin Magazine DNA

AncestryDNA

WHAT IT’S IDEAL FOR

Looking for recent ancestors

KEY FEATURE

Largest and most diverse database and is low cost

COST

$69

23 and Me

WHAT IT’S IDEAL FOR

Looking for long-lost relatives

KEY FEATURE

Offers both ancestry and health results

COST

$79–$199

Living DNA

WHAT IT’S IDEAL FOR

Exact breakdown of your ethnic makeup

KEY FEATURE

Covers 80 different regions worldwide

COST

$99–$159

Vitagene

WHAT IT’S IDEAL FOR

People looking for a specific road map for their bodies

KEY FEATURE

Customized fitness, and vitamin and diet plan

COST

$99–$149

 

This article originally appeared in Marin Magazine’s print edition under the headline: “Good Genes“.


Kasia Pawlowska

Kasia Pawlowska loves words. A native of Poland, Kasia moved to the States when she was seven. The San Francisco State University creative writing graduate went on to write for publications like the San Francisco Bay Guardian and KQED Arts among others prior to joining the Marin Magazine staff. Topics Kasia has covered include travel, trends, mushroom hunting, an award-winning series on social media addiction and loads of other random things. When she’s not busy blogging or researching and writing articles, she’s either at home writing postcards and reading or going to shows. Recently, Kasia has been trying to branch out and diversify, ie: use different emojis. Her quest for the perfect chip is never-ending.