DNA Basics
Human DNA is about 99.5% identical from person to person. However, there are small changes that make each person unique.
These changes are called variants.
Your DNA was passed down from your parents — and their parents and so on. Variants can be linked to certain health conditions,
traits and ancestry groups.
When it comes to your health and traits, your DNA is only part of the story. Other factors can come into play, including
non-genetic factors such as your environment and lifestyle.
How your DNA becomes a report
Your saliva contains DNA from cells in your mouth. We send you a saliva collection kit and instructions for providing your sample.
Our CLIA-certified lab extracts DNA from cells in your saliva sample. Then the lab processes the DNA on a genotyping chip that
reads hundreds of thousands of locations in your genome.
Your genetic data is analyzed, and we generate your personalized reports based on well-established scientific and medical research.
Our lab
To ensure quality, your DNA analysis is performed in US laboratories that are certified by CLIA (Clinical Laboratory Improvement
Amendments of 1988) and accredited by the College of American Pathologists (CAP).
A CLIA-certified and CAP-accredited lab must meet certain quality standards, including qualifications for individuals who perform
the test, and other standards that ensure the accuracy and reliability of results.
The analysis we perform is called genotyping. Our genotyping looks at hundreds of thousands of specific locations on your DNA.
These locations are known to vary between individuals, and some are associated with certain conditions, traits, or ancestry.
We use leading technology to genotype your DNA — a custom Illumina HumanOmniExpress-24 format chip.