It’s no secret that DNA testing has become a major part of our lives. From the courtrooms where we hear about the results of blood tests in murder cases to the news that our favorite celebrities have been found guilty of cheating on their significant others, DNA testing has become an integral part of how we live.
According to Allied Market Research, the genetic testing market was valued at
$12,682 million in 2019 and is likely to touch $21,260 million by 2027. This indicates that there is a huge demand for such tests, which means that more people are willing to pay money for them.
With all the information that DNA tests give us about our bodies and our families, it’s no wonder so many people are interested in getting one. But what is the cost of a DNA test? And where can you get it done?
We’ll provide you with answers to those and a few additional queries in this post.
What Is DNA Testing?
DNA testing is a process by which you can get your DNA analyzed and compared to other people’s DNA to find out if you have a similar genetic makeup.
DNA testing can be done by collecting a sample of cells from inside your cheek (buccal swab), blood, urine, or saliva. It’s usually best to have this test done by a doctor or nurse since they have training in collecting samples of these types of cells like hair follicles or skin.
Moreover, DNA testing is a way to learn more about your health or family medical history. It can be used to determine whether you are at risk for certain diseases, find out if you’re a carrier for certain diseases, or even find out where your ancestors came from.
According to a survey by YouGov, around 65% of respondents will undergo DNA testing to know about the possibility of developing a severe health condition. This figure implies that most people want to know as much as they can about their own health so they can make informed decisions about their future healthcare needs.
Some Common DNA Tests
There are many different types of DNA tests, but the three main types are Y-DNA tests, mtDNA tests, and autosomal DNA tests.
Y-DNA tests are used to determine whether two people are related through their paternal line. They look at the Y chromosome, which is transferred from father to son in every generation. With this test, it’s easy to identify whether two men share a common ancestor in their paternal line.
MtDNA tests look at mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) to determine whether two people are related through their maternal line. A person’s mtDNA is inherited from his or her mother and is passed down unchanged from mother to child across generations. This test determines whether two individuals share a maternal ancestor.
Autosomal DNA tests look at any combination of 24 chromosomes other than sex chromosomes (X and Y). With the help of these tests, it’s possible to identify whether two people have a common ancestor in their entire family tree.
Cost of a DNA Test
If you’re interested in genetic testing, you might be wondering: “How much does a DNA test cost?”
Genetic testing can cost under $100 or above $2,000 for each test, according to the National Library of Medicine. This is because different tests have different levels of complexity and require different amounts of time and effort to complete.
Moreover, the cost of genetic testing can vary depending on what kind of health information you want to learn about yourself or your family members. For example, if you want to find out if you’re at risk for certain diseases such as breast cancer or Alzheimer’s disease, then you’ll want to consider getting a genetic counseling session done as well as your genetic test. This way, they can explain what results mean and how they could impact your health in the future.
Where Can DNA Testing Be Done?
Numerous locations offer DNA testing services. It can be done at home, in a hospital, or even in a doctor’s office. There are also labs and other facilities that do DNA testing as well.
The best place to get a DNA test done is directly from a doctor’s office or clinic, where they will have the resources and equipment required to perform the test. This is because they have the experience needed to interpret the results correctly and get them back to you quickly so that you know what they mean.
Clinical DNA tests are also more reliable because they have been validated by the FDA and approved for use by the general public. Home DNA tests have not undergone this level of scrutiny, so their accuracy may be questionable.
Summing Up
Hence, after reading this article, you now know what a DNA test is, what it can help you with, and how much it costs. You also know that there are many places to get a DNA test done.
Now you can make an informed decision about where to go and what kind of test you want to undergo.
