DNA Testing Update
Welcome to DNA Testing Update, my occasional web journal that keeps you up-to-date with what's new at DNA Testing Adviser. I’ll tell you about…
- New or updated articles on the website
- Significant news from the genealogy and adoption search communities
- DNA testing tips for paternity, genealogy, and adoption search
- Previous articles that might be worth another look
You can read my latest journal entries below; but you can also have DNA Testing Update delivered directly to your computer.
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Feb 2, 2012
Who Do You Think You Are?
Who Do You Think You Are is back for a 3rd season and will premier this Friday, February 3 at 8/7c on NBC.
Martin Sheen will lead off the series and other celebrities exploring their family trees include Marissa Tomei, Blair Underwood, Helen Hunt, Jerome Bettis, Robb Lowe, and Paula Deen.
Click for more info
Feb 2, 2012
FTDNA Accepts Transfers from 23andMe
Family Tree DNA now accepts transfers of raw DNA data from 23andMe into Family Finder.
If you were tested with the latest (V3) chip at 23andMe, you can now transfer your data to Family Tree DNA for an introductory price of only $50.
If you were tested with the prior (V2) chip at 23andMe, you will need to be retested with an FTDNA test kit. But by going through the transfer process, you get certified as a 23andMe user and will receive a coupon for a steeply discounted Family Finder test.
Family Finder is similar to the Relative Finder feature at 23andMe. So transferring lets you get matches in BOTH databases--an excellent move for both genealogists and adoptees.
You become a full fledged Family Finder user with all the special tools and reports. This includes Population Finder, which provides the best available look at your ethnic ancestry.
If you're already a Family Finder user, you don't have to do anything. But once the transfers are processed, you could pick up many more matches from the influx of new users.
I transferred a V3 data set today to test the ordering and transfer process. I heartily recommend it to all 23andMe users. Since I don't know how long it will be before the price goes up, I encourage you to do it NOW!
Click the link below, choose Products from the top of the page, and scroll down to the THIRD PARTY section. Select Transfer Relative Finder to learn more and initiate the process.
Click for more info
Jan 27, 2012
Adoption DNA Message Hijacked by NPR
On 1/26/12 NPR's Diane Rehm Show did a live segment on Adoptees Using DNA to Find Family.
Bennett Greenspan, founder and CEO of Family Tree DNA was interviewed on the air.
Since I had used DNA testing to find and confirm my birth family--and I maintained a web site on the topic--Bennett had suggested me to Diane Rehm as an additional panel member. On Wednesday Bennett called my home to see if Diane had contacted me. She had not and never did.
Instead of creating an informative show to explain how adoptees are using this new tool and presenting a positive case history, they brought in Kimberly Leighton.
This woman knows nothing about DNA testing but had an obvious negative viewpoint. She attacked the very idea of adoptees searching for birth parents as unnecessary and a violation of birth parents' right to privacy.
Bennett did mention me as an example and suggested adoptees visit my web site. Wanting to counter the negativity being expressed by the other panelist, I tried to call in to the show but could not get past the busy signal.
Diane Rehm and/or her producers clearly had an agenda. This is not uncommon with NPR programming.
A year ago I had the opportunity to listen as an NPR reporter interviewed a relative of mine in a public place. All the questions were obviously slanted to elicit a response on one side of the issue being discussed.
My relative ignored the bait and expressed the opposite viewpoint. The reporter quickly moved on and my relative's comments were never aired.
My hope is that many more adoptees still learned about DNA testing and they won't be dissuaded from their search by one woman's opinion.
Click the link below if you wish to hear the broadcast.
Click for more info
Jan 25, 2012
How Population Finder Discovers Ethnic Ancestry from Your DNA
An independent review of Population Finder, the ethnic ancestry report in the Family DNA test from Family Tree DNA.
Permalink -- click for full blog post "How Population Finder Discovers Ethnic Ancestry from Your DNA"
Jan 23, 2012
New 23andMe Ancestry Ambassadors Group
23andMe has announced the formation of an Ancestry Ambassadors Group. These "ancestry enthusiasts," chosen from the 23andMe user community, will help guide and influence product development.
Primarily a health testing company, 23andMe has been criticized periodically for lapses on the genetic genealogy side of its product offering.
DNA blogger CeCe Moore will lead the group. Other members are Andrea Badger, Ann Turner MD, Larry Vick, Shannon Christmas, and Tim Janzen MD.
Hopefully, this new group will result in improved ancestry services from the company.
Click for more info
Jan 9, 2012
23andMe Responds to Complaints
The recent uproar over the handling of lapsed subscribers at 23andMe has prompted a lengthy response from the company.
23andMe co-founder and CEO Anne Wojcicki has announced that those who stop their monthly subscription after the 12-month commitment WILL retain access to their Relative Finder matches and health reports. They just won't get any new information.
Furthermore, customers who purchased a subscription before 12/21/11 will have an opportunity to upgrade to a Lifetime subscription for $99 during the 30 days after meeting their commitment.
More good news: Lapsed subscribers will NOT be removed from the Relative Finder database unless they specifically opt out. So others may still find them.
Click the following link to read the full text of the company's response.
Click for more info
Jan 5, 2012
New User Interface at Family Tree DNA
In November I was one of the DNA project administrators that tested and provided feedback on a new user interface at Family Tree DNA. That interface has just been released to all users.
In addition to better organization the interface includes new features like Advanced Matching and updated educational resources.
I suggest you begin by selecting the Interactive Tour. Then start clicking to explore your account.
Click the following link and then Log In with your Kit Number and Password.
Click for more info
Jan 4, 2012
Family Tree DNA Extends Sale to Jan. 7
The Holiday Promotion at FTDNA has been extended through Saturday, January 7, 2012. Both new kits and upgrades are discounted.
Click for more info
Dec 30, 2011
Reminder: FTDNA Sale Ends Saturday
Sale prices on genetic genealogy DNA tests at Family Tree DNA expire 12/31/11.
Click for more info
Dec 22, 2011
23andMe Sucker Punches Lapsed Subscribers
About a year ago, 23andMe repositioned its DNA test as a Personal Genome Service with a monthly subscription fee. New users were required to pay the fee for a minimum of 12 months.
Those who cancelled after that would no longer receive new Relative Finder matches or new health findings. But they could continue to access existing matches and health reports.
That seemed fair enough. But blogger CeCe Moore reports that 23andMe has now revised their terms of service.
Customers who allow their subscription to lapse will NOT have access to their Relative Finder matches, health reports and all other features that "rely on your genetic data."
Customers who ordered their test before the subscription service was instituted are not affected, as far as we know now.
This retroactive change in terms is the opposite of customer-friendly.
Subscription customers may wish to lodge protests with the Better Business Bureau and the California Attorney General, the state where 23andMe operates.
Click the link below for more details from CeCe Moore.
Click for more info
Dec 15, 2011
Save $23 on DNA Test at 23andMe.com
I just learned about a brief sale at 23andMe.com. Use the link below and pay $76 instead of $99. Offer expires 12/27/11.
They market this as their Personal Genome Service. Once you get your results, you pay an additional $9/month for Relative Finder matches and new or updated health results.
The minimum is 12 months, so your total minimum investment will be $76 + $108 = $184.
There is no coupon code to enter. But you must click the following link to get the reduced price.
Click for more info
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