Unless you’ve been living under that proverbial rock, you’ve at least heard about the DNA-craze these days. Companies large and small are offering you the ability to dig deep into the very genetic code that makes you human and learn more about where you came from, who your ancestors were, and more. While many may be skeptical, and some tests are less effective than their manufacturers promise, unlocking your DNA can be the key to discovering not only your ancestry, but also your sense of self, and even support your beliefs and spirituality.
What DNA Really Tells People
Before we go much deeper on the topic, we need to discuss what DNA actually tells us. With a DNA test, you can learn about your genetic makeup – where your ancestors came from around the world. It’s been touted as one of the best gifts to give to anyone curious about their genetic background, but what does it really tell you?
One of the most important things that you can learn from DNA testing is who your people are. That is, you can learn more about where your parents, their parents, their grandparents, and so on, ultimately came from. With the right kit, you will not only learn more about the primary source of genetic code, but also any DNA that might have come from other regions. For instance, many people find that they have DNA from African regions, but also some DNA from Native Americans and other groups.
Really, it’s about learning more concerning your tribe.
Humans Have Always Been and Always Be Tribal
You hear it every day – us and them, we and they. Human beings are, ultimately, tribal beings, and we have been since before the dawn of recorded history. The nation of Israel was divided into 12 tribes in the days of antiquity, and the same can be found if you dig deep enough into virtually every culture around the world. Tribes of Pacific Islanders settled the islands spread out over the Pacific Ocean. In the Amazon, there are still tribes of people living the same way they did thousands of years ago. In fact, tribalism is at the root of our beings in a number of ways.
Your tribe does more than just give you a place to belong, though. It also provides you with traditions and culture that sometimes extend back many hundreds of years in an unbroken chain, connecting us with our ancestors in the dim and distant past.
Of course, if you want to enjoy this connectivity with your tribe, spirituality, and truest self, you’ll need to have a DNA test performed. There are so many companies on the market today offering these tests that it can be confusing to determine where you should even start. Are all the tests the same? Is there something that sets one company apart from another?
Choosing the Right DNA Kit
In order to discover your roots, you’ll need to uncover them through a DNA test. Not all tests are the same, nor are all DNA testing companies. Make sure that you read any privacy and consent rules very carefully before consenting to take a particular test. You should also watch out for unsubstantiated claims. For example, one well-known company says that its tests are cleared by the FDA, which sounds great until you realize that the FDA has nothing to do with genetic testing.
One ideal place to start is comparing DNA kits as reviewed by comparednakits to help you make an informed decision based on an accurate, side-by-side comparison.
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