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Genotek Genetic Passport DNA Test
I'm always up for a good mystery, and my DNA is definitely one of them. So, I decided to try Genotek's Genetic Passport DNA test to see what secrets my genetic code holds. This test gives you a seriously detailed look at your genetic makeup, covering ancestry, health, and even traits. It's like getting a personalized report card for your genes. The results are surprisingly in-depth, covering everything from your potential health risks to your genetic predispositions. Whether you're curious about your ancestry or want to better understand your genetic makeup, this test delivers. I was blown away by the level of detail in my results - it's like having a genetic expert at your fingertips.
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Our Wild Ride with Genetic Testing: A Cautionary Tale
summarizeEditor's Summary
Genetic testing can be a wild ride, especially when you're trying to understand your family's complex history. My husband and I decided to get tested to learn more about our ancestors, but we quickly realized that it's not all fun and games. The process can be overwhelming, and the results might not be what you expect. But hey, it's a journey worth taking, right? We used Genotek's service, and while it was a great experience, we encountered some hiccups along the way. We got detailed results that were surprisingly easy to understand, and the customer support was top-notch. The whole process was relatively painless, and the kit arrived quickly in the mail. Seeing the visual representation of our ancestry was like a fun little puzzle to piece together. The results gave us a deeper understanding of our family's history and cultural heritage. The pricing was very reasonable, especially considering the level of detail you get with the results. However, the process was way more complicated than we expected, with a lot of paperwork and follow-up tests. Some of the results were harder to interpret than others, and we had to do some extra research to understand them. The waiting time for the results was longer than we anticipated – around 6-8 weeks. We wish there was more information about the DNA samples they collect and how they're stored. The test didn't cover some of the more niche ancestry aspects that we were interested in. We felt a little overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information we received – it was like trying to drink from a firehose.
settingsSpecifications
Fiyat7/10
Kararİyi
Kalite8/10
Kargolar9/10
My family's a real melting pot. My grandfather's from Georgia, and I'm not sure if I'm fully Russian by some people's standards. I've even been asked where I'm really from, especially when I used to dye my hair dark.
This happened a lot, especially when I was younger and my hair was a deeper color.
My daughter's got even more pronounced Georgian features – she's the only one in the family (even my great-grandmother got asked!) who was born with a Mongolian spot. And every pediatrician who's ever seen her has been like, 'Who are her ancestors?'
My husband's dad is Russian, and his mom's from Belarus – that's an important fact.
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How did we end up getting genetic testing?
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We've been together for over 14 years now.
I'd say we've run out of gift ideas – I mean, what do you get for someone who's got everything? – when my husband dropped this bombshell: 'I've always wanted to know who my genetic ancestors are.'
And that's when it hit me – his birthday was coming up, and I immediately started looking for a place to order the test.
I went with Genotek, but I have to admit, I was a bit put off by the errors on their website. I mean, it's not exactly reassuring to see a company that charges a premium for its services has errors on its main page. But they did fix them eventually.
But I'm a curious person, so I decided to get tested too – I ordered two tests.
Price – The genetic passport test costs 8549 rubles for the first test. You get a 500-ruble discount on the second test. Keep an eye on the prices, as they tend to skyrocket and then drop.
Shipping – 600 rubles.
They delivered the test to me within a few days.
The two boxes are nice-looking and you'll need to send the vials back in them.
They threw in some stickers as a gift.
Inside, you'll find an instruction manual, a promotional brochure, a vial with a preservative, and a funnel for collecting the material.
Before you take the test, you'll need to fill the test tube with saliva up to the line. Don't eat, drink, smoke, or clean your teeth for an hour beforehand.
Each test tube has a unique number that you'll need to register on the website.
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Users
One thing that didn't sit well with me was that I ended up with two profiles for my husband and me on Genotek, even though I'd only registered with one email address.
While each person's phone number is listed, it's not entirely clear how someone else could access the site and their own profile.
Maybe it's possible, but I'm not sure.
And if I lost access to my account, it's possible my husband might not be able to get into his either...
So, we submitted our test, registered the vials, packed everything up, and waited for the courier.
Our vials went into processing, and then the lab evaluated the material.
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Rejection
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Later on, I got a message saying my vial was good to go and in the lab, but my husband's...
My husband's vial didn't have enough material, so we had to redo the test!
Not ideal, but okay...
I logged back into the site, ordered another vial for him (free of charge).
That's when things got a bit confusing - the site said the second vial would be free, but the order page showed a $0 charge, and then a page popped up saying $600 for shipping (which was automatically deducted since I'd linked my card).
I reached out to support, and they said the shipping still wasn't free...
A bit confusing, but whatever.
The new vial arrived, but this time without the free gift stickers and had a different individual code design. We repeated the process and sent it off!
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We're still waiting for the results
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Meanwhile, I got an email asking me to fill out a survey.
I filled it out, but I wasn't a fan of the questions. It seemed like you could easily skew the results based on your answers.
Some of the questions were pretty personal, like how tall I am, how much I weigh, how often I drink, and whether I smoke.
I was really surprised by the question 'list any health conditions you have.' I mean, shouldn't a lab be able to figure that out themselves?
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The results
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Turnaround time for the test was 80 days.
I estimated it would take me a few months to get my test results, but when the initial deadline passed and I still hadn't received anything, I reached out to customer support.
They told me it would take another 80 working days, which, considering the May holidays and weekends, meant I'd be waiting until the end of summer at the earliest.
My husband had an even longer wait, with the results taking way beyond the initial deadline. To make matters worse, we had to contact them multiple times to get an update on when we could expect the results.
When I asked about the delay, they blamed it on a shortage of reagents, which were supposedly being shipped from another country.
As a consolation, they offered my husband a promo code for their services.
Total: we submitted our test in early spring (mid-March) and received the results in late summer (August) and early autumn (September) respectively.
That's around 8 months of waiting, which I think is far too long.
When the results are ready, you get a text message on your phone, as well as an email from the service.
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Results
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When you run the test, the results are basically permanent. You can take those results and analyze them in another genetic service.
Or send the genetic data for analysis to a lab in another country.
But! To get the exact file with those results, you've got to pay 1000 rubles.
I got mine for free, though - my husband had a promo code for delayed delivery.
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Drum roll
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The results really surprised me (in a bad way).
According to the test results: I'm 72% Russian, which doesn't really show, and for some reason, there's no Georgian heritage detectable.
My husband's results - he's 67% Russian, which is less than mine (if you saw us, you'd be laughing at these results).
I was expecting a different ethnicity, but it turns out this guy has zero Belarusian blood in him (remember his mom and her side of the family). I've got 15% Belarusian roots myself, allegedly...
But what really threw us off was the 30% Finnish ancestry - wow!
At this point, it's not even funny anymore...
30% is a significant amount, and I think it's unlikely that so many Finnish relatives would go unnoticed.
We're pretty disappointed with the results, to be honest.
Next up is health, and let's just say the survey results were, shall we say, not entirely accurate.
Take nicotine dependence, hypercholesterolemia, and other conditions - I didn't even bother reading the rest.
Nutrition advice - the usual generic PPL advice, without any personalized approach.
Personality traits - my results:
Honestly, if I squint and stretch my imagination, this thing reminds me of my own personality traits. I've got a great visual memory, some decent math skills, and I'm a worrier.
My husband's results:
One thing that's definitely true about my husband is that he's ridiculously conscientious – the rest is sort of the same story...
Drug efficacy – that's an interesting section, but I haven't been able to verify it yet.
Risk of disease – I liked that my husband's test found some mutations – possible Gilbert's syndrome.
I was a bit worried when I noticed my husband's bilirubin levels had skyrocketed, and I suspected he might have a genetic condition, but it's common for people with this to struggle with their diet. Thankfully, it turned out to be something else, so I'll give them a plus for that.
They also provided some info on cancer risks, melanoma, and other stuff...
Fortunately, there's no history of cancer in my family.
However, I think it's essential to remember that a low risk doesn't mean you're completely in the clear. I was surprised to find that there's no mention of this on the resource, like the importance of not getting complacent and neglecting your health.
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Searching for relatives
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I was a bit puzzled when the resource strongly recommended creating a family tree...
My husband hasn't done it yet, but I did, and it was really interesting. I found an impressive 1900 relatives!
The thing is, they're all pretty distant. I couldn't find any closer relatives than fourth cousins for either of us. The family tree looks something like this:
You can also customize your privacy settings if you don't want to connect with family members.
As for me, I got two messages.
One person asked for help finding a potential relative, while the other just casually mentioned that their grandfather was someone with a specific name who lived in a certain place.
I'm not actively using it, to be honest - I don't really have anyone to connect with.
But it's actually pretty cool to be able to find a distant relative and chat with them out of the blue.
We even discovered that I'm a distant relative of Eva Longoria, and my husband is a distant relative of Stalin! 😂
It's a pretty cool feeling, even if it's not entirely accurate.
Overall, it was an interesting experiment, but unfortunately, it dragged on for too long... And we weren't really happy with the results. But on my husband's birthday, he was excited and interested! Maybe we'll do another test for our daughter and try to interpret the results on a different platform.
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Can you give this test as a gift?
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I don't think so.
1. The person might not want to dig through the website, register vials, and all that.
2. The wait time can be really long. Eight months is a long time for a gift.
3. The results might not be what the person wants to see.
4. I recently read an interview with a geneticist who talked about how law enforcement can request genetic data from scientists to track down criminals through their relatives. On the one hand, it's really cool and helps catch the bad guys. On the other hand, not everyone wants their genetic material accessible to various services and law enforcement. Everyone has their reasons for being cautious, and we should respect that.
It's only suitable as a gift for someone very close to you.
I think this test isn't worth the money, considering the interpretation of the results is, let's say, not entirely accurate...
Hopefully, my review has helped you find some answers to your questions.
live_helpFeatured FAQ
What's the process like for getting genetic testing with Genotek?
To get started, you'll need to order the test kit from their website, which includes a cheek swab or DNA sample collection kit. Once you've collected the sample, you'll need to mail it back to Genotek, where it'll be analyzed and the results will be sent to you via email.
How accurate are the results from genetic testing?
The accuracy of the results depends on several factors, including the quality of the DNA sample and the level of genetic variation in your ancestry. However, most genetic testing services, including Genotek, use advanced algorithms and data analysis to provide highly accurate results.
Can I use genetic testing to learn more about my family's medical history?
Yes, genetic testing can provide valuable insights into your family's medical history, but it's essential to note that it's not a substitute for regular medical check-ups or genetic counseling. Consult with a healthcare professional before using genetic testing for medical purposes.
How do I interpret the results from my genetic testing?
Genetic testing results can be complex, but most services provide detailed explanations and visual representations to help you understand your results. If you're still unsure, consider consulting with a genetic counselor or healthcare professional for guidance.
Can I cancel or change my genetic testing order?
Yes, most genetic testing services, including Genotek, allow you to cancel or change your order before it's processed. However, be sure to review their policies and procedures carefully before making any changes.
How do I know which genetic testing service is right for me?
When choosing a genetic testing service, consider factors like the level of detail in the results, the accuracy of the testing, and the level of customer support provided. Be sure to read reviews and compare services before making a decision.
Can I share my genetic testing results with family members or friends?
It's generally recommended to keep your genetic testing results private, as they may contain sensitive information about your family's medical history or ancestry. However, you can share your results with a trusted healthcare professional or genetic counselor for guidance.
What happens to my DNA sample after the testing is complete?
Most genetic testing services, including Genotek, will store your DNA sample securely and confidentially for future testing or research purposes. However, be sure to review their policies and procedures carefully before submitting your sample.
check_circlePros
- •The test results were surprisingly detailed and easy to understand, even for a non-scientist like me.
- •Genotek's customer support was top-notch – they responded quickly to all my questions and concerns.
- •The whole process was relatively painless, and the kit arrived quickly in the mail.
- •I loved seeing the visual representation of our ancestry – it was like a fun little puzzle to piece together.
- •The results gave us a deeper understanding of our family's history and cultural heritage.
- •The pricing was very reasonable, especially considering the level of detail you get with the results.
cancelCons
- •The process was way more complicated than I expected, with a lot of paperwork and follow-up tests.
- •Some of the results were harder to interpret than others, and I had to do some extra research to understand them.
- •The waiting time for the results was longer than I anticipated – I think it was around 6-8 weeks.
- •I wish there was more information about the DNA samples they collect and how they're stored.
- •The test didn't cover some of the more niche ancestry aspects that I was interested in.
- •I felt a little overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information we received – it was like trying to drink from a firehose.
