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    The Surprising Results Discovered By DNA Tests

    Happy little boy playing excited

    People around the world are flocking to DNA kits to gain never before known knowledge about their family history. Thanks to incredible advances in modern technology, DNA testing has never been easier. Users of testing kits are now discovering their heritage and background and learning about a whole new level of their family history. 

    By discovering information about their DNA, many people are also making connections with relatives across the world. These new connections allow budding new relationships to grow and families to expand. The journey to discovering your family history can be both a remarkable and rewarding experience. 

    In this article, learn what you need to know about DNA testing.

    What Do People Want To Find Out?

    Many people approach DNA testing for a variety of reasons. If every person’s DNA is unique, likely their reason for wanting to test is just as unique. Some popular motivations for DNA testing include: 

    • A need to understand important background information for medical purposes 
    • Connect with family members you didn't know existed
    • Learn about heritage
    • Gain insight into how your ancestors lived, moved, and worked 
    • In the case of adoptees, DNA testing can reveal important information about parentage or even provide necessary legal information

    Everyone approaches DNA testing for a different reason. The primary questions that DNA answers are: Who am I, how did I get here, and who am I descended from? These are core questions in life that many people yearn for in an effort to understand themselves more fully. 

    Thanks to today’s technology, DNA testing has never been easier. In most cases, you can simply order a test online and receive it a few days later on your doorstep. DNA samples in these cases are taken from a cheek swab or saliva, so giving the sample is totally painless. Once you mail the sample back to the company, you need to wait a few weeks before receiving the exciting results to your inbox.

    Many people use take-home DNA testing kits simply due to the ease of the process. By taking one minute out of their day, they gain access to family connections, maps, heritage information, and so much more. The real question is, what are you waiting for? 

    Are People Surprised By The Results?

    When you decide to take a DNA test, you should prepare yourself to be surprised by the results. Family history passed down through generations is not always accurate, so it is possible you grew up thinking one thing that turns out not to be true in the end. 

    According to Pew Research, people undergoing DNA testing are learning a lot of information that they did not know beforehand: 

    • 38% of people who take a DNA test experience surprise from their results.
    • 27% discover something about their family’s racial or ethnic background that they never knew.
    • 25% of people learn something crucial about their medical history
    • 27% of people who take at-home DNA testing kits connect with family members that they previously did not know existed 

    Judging from those statistics, we can say with a safe probability that you will be surprised by some aspect of your DNA testing results. Part of the thrill of deciding to learn more about your background is that there is an entire world of possibilities when it comes to the outcome. 

    Your test results can change how you view yourself, your history, or even how you fit into your family. These can be life-changing results or help you to paint a complete picture of who you are as a person. As of now, about one in seven adults choose to take an at-home DNA testing test. The popularity of the tests continues to skyrocket, so soon, many people worldwide will be gaining knowledge and building larger family trees.

    Who Takes DNA Tests?

    People of all ages, backgrounds, and income levels order DNA testing kits, though some are more likely than others to take the leap and press order. According to more Pew statistics, the most obvious way to understand who orders DNA testing kits is to take a closer look at their annual income:

    • About a quarter of individuals with annual family incomes of $150,000 order DNA testing kits 
    • 19% of adults with incomes between $75,000 and $149,999
    • 15% of adults who earn between $30,000 and $74,999
    •  9% of those with incomes less than $30,000

    From these stats, we can gather that adults in higher income brackets are the most likely to use a mail-in DNA testing service. Thankfully, expensive DNA tests are quickly becoming a thing of the past. What was once only available at a high price point is now available for much less thanks to direct-to-customer shipping.

    Bottom Line

    If you are interested in taking the leap and exploring your ancestry, an at-home DNA testing kit is a simple, safe, and fast way to gain incredible insights into your history. Understanding your heritage can give you an extra boost in life and bring a world of surprises you never imagined.