Who isn't curious about their heritage? Even if your relatives have been telling you since childhood that you're a quarter this and 75 percent that, the truth is: The only way to really get a handle on your genetic makeup is by taking one of the best DNA testing kits on the market and uncovering the truth about your family's past.
These DNA kits are a technological achievement — one that makes it possible to spit into a cup (or swab your cheek), mail the results back to a lab, and wait impatiently for anywhere between four to eight weeks for online results. Some kits give you the option of adding a health report to your results (for an extra cost). But all of these top-notch kits include another incredible feature: The ability to peruse their extensive databases to find folks who share your genetic makeup and who might just be distant family members waiting to connect.
There are a few things to keep in mind before taking one of these tests. Depending on the number of people in a company's database, your results could vary slightly from test to test. And, of course, it's important to note that there may be privacy issues that arise from providing your genetic information to a company, and once they've got it you're trusting them to protect it. There's also the possibility that they won't tell the complete story about your past since we all carry various genes. One of the best ways to truly get a comprehensive glimpse into your genetic history is by giving your siblings and parents their very own tests and comparing the results. Can you think of a more fun Friday night than one spent DNA testing with the ones you love?
So, which DNA test should you rely on? We've got info on the top three right here.