Free DNA Testing for African-Americans (23andme)

**Stargazer2893** · 08-22-2011, 04:13 PM

Signed up! I'm obsessed with DNA! Thanks!

**etifaim** · 08-22-2011, 10:42 PM

Good luck ladies! I hope you are selected

**GalaxyGirl2012** · 08-22-2011, 10:59 PM

i signed up as well.. hope i'm selected

**Olahh** · 08-26-2011, 01:43 PM

Cool, waiting for a email back.

**CinnamonBiscuit** · 09-06-2011, 02:36 PM

Cool. I've been wanting to try to get my DNA tested, and I'd LOVE to find out where my ancestors are from (although looking at pics of different Africans, I get a feeling I could be descended from people from Cameroon and Ghana).

**ShanaREX** · 09-08-2011, 01:44 AM

Originally Posted by CinnamonBiscuit

Cool. I've been wanting to try to get my DNA tested, and I'd LOVE to find out where my ancestors are from (although looking at pics of different Africans, I get a feeling I could be descended from people from Cameroon and Ghana).

I have tested with 23andme. Let me warn you, the test does not tell you which region your ancestors came from. You will get your mtDNA (this can give you some idea of where your maternal line originated) and a VERY general break down of your ancestries (African, European, and Asian). One of the bizarre things about this test is that they classify North Africans and East Africans as European. This can throw your ancestry analysis off.

Another thing to consider is that if you want to take the test to find out if you have Native American ancestry, you shouldn't bother (if you are paying out of your own pocket). Because of the inadequate genetic sampling of African Americans (we have extremely diverse genes); the method they use does not really work on us. For example: I have a Native American grandmother on my father's side. According to 23andme, my Asian DNA (Native American in my case) is only 4%.

All in all, this test is a great test for people new to genetic testing. Also, it is free if you can get into the study. Just don't expect it to pinpoint which African tribe you belong to. There are better (and more expensive

) tests for that part of the equation. I hope this helps...

**CinnamonBiscuit** · 09-08-2011, 03:50 PM

^^^

That did help.

**cocoacvrdkisses** · 09-10-2011, 06:24 AM

Thanks Ladies for sharing.. I am excited to see if I get picked..

**Fedyfro** · 09-12-2011, 08:57 PM

I received my kit a few weeks ago but haven't submitted yet. I understand one of the key functions of this test is to help deal with diseases impacting our community. I believe they ask you to participate in the surveys and complete questionnaires to assist in that effort.

For genealogical information I have found FTDNA and African Ancestry tests to be quite helpful.

**afrochica** · 09-12-2011, 10:19 PM

My sister signed up for this last year. We found out some interesting results. We always thought we had Indian (Native American lol) in our DNA. It turned out that we were 70% African and 30% European. No trace of Native American at all. It's really nice to really know where your family comes from!

We also learned that we were at risk for Breast Cancer, Restless Leg Syndrome and Celiac Disease. These are diseases that we had no idea we were at risk.