DNA Testing Kits Compared: Living DNA Versus 23andMe

At some point in your life, you’re bound to wonder, “Who am I?”. Thanks to modern science, understanding your history, heritage, and family tree has never been easier with at-home DNA testing kits.

Testing kits for DNA provide a simple and quick way to gain access to valuable information about your heritage, including everything from your ethnicity to predispositions to diseases. 

Two leading companies, Living DNA and 23andMe, provide affordable and easy to use kits that allow you to perform a DNA test quickly and easily. Keep reading to learn more about Living DNA and 23andMe, and how they compare.

Living DNA Vs 23andMe

Both these DNA testing kits provide extensive testing options. Living DNA gives users access to insights ranging from global ancestry to nutrition reports to fitness insights. 23andMe provides users with the ability to find your genetic relatives among other testers, test within 1,500 different regions, and test both mtDNA and yDNA.

Both companies offer a variety of packages, but their basic includes:

• Living DNA: Starter Kit, $49
• 23andMe: Ancestry and Traits Service, $79

DNA Testing Kit Prices 

Today, most DNA testing kits are available at an affordable price and can be ordered online right to your doorstep. Living DNA and 23andMe both offer different packages at various price points. The price of your test will vary depending on what you want to test and how deep you want to dive into your DNA. Both companies offer the following options:

• Living DNA: Starter Kit for $49, Full Ancestry Kit for $79, Wellbeing Kit for $99, and Ancestry and Wellbeing Kit for $149
• 23andMe: Ancestry and Traits Service for $79, Health and Ancestry Service for $129, and VIP Health and Ancestry Service for $429

Each package contains different offerings depending on how extensively you want to test. It’s a good idea to make a list of your goals and reasons for testing your DNA so that you can order the appropriate test according to your specific needs.

Collection Process And Results

The collection process for at-home DNA testing kits is relatively easy and painless. Many enjoy collecting samples from the comfort of their homes, avoiding lengthy trips to the doctor’s office or laboratory. Here’s a breakdown of how each company collects your DNA sample:

Living DNA

• To collect your sample, follow the instructions carefully. Be sure not to eat or drink for one hour before the sample is taken. Then, use a simple mouth swab and mail your sample back to the company in the secure container

23andMe

• Be sure to register your testing kit so you can get your results. Then, using the container provided, provide a quick salvia sample and place it back into the specimen bag. You can then mail it back to the company 

Privacy Protection

Privacy is a concern for many people considering DNA testing. Some companies will keep your information to expand their databases further. Therefore, it’s important to double-check their privacy policies to know exactly how your information will be used.

Living DNA

• This company doesn’t sell your information to third parties, though it does store it in their database

23andME

• You need to provide explicit consent before any of your information is shared with third parties or used for research purposes

Your DNA contains sensitive and private information. So, it’s crucial that you carefully read through each company’s privacy policies. Understanding the process will allow you to feel empowered with your choice. 

Advantages

Each DNA testing company has its advantages and special features. Here’s how each compares:

Living DNA

• Search your direct paternal and maternal ancestry (up to 80,000 years in the past)
• Benefit from a detailed view of recent ancestry from the last 500 years
• With sub-regional breakdowns and optional additional insights, you can gain more specific information on how and where your ancestors traveled and migrated from 

23andMe

• Over 1500 geographical locations are included, providing more accurate information
• If you’re searching for living relatives, you can locate them with the DNA Relative Finder
• Build a family tree, a valuable exercise for many families. You can easily do so with its automatic builder

Disadvantages

Here are the disadvantages of each DNA testing kit:

Living DNA:

• Long wait time. Results can take up to eight weeks
• The basic kit only compares eight general global regions which may not give you the depth you desire

23andMe:

• Depending on the test you choose, it might be more expensive than others
• Tends to have a smaller database than some of its competitors