topic Re: 123&Me in Community Chat

123&Me

RINGER — Mon, 10 Jun 2019 01:39:43 GMT

Am considering buying this for my husband but would like the opinions of anyone who has already received it and would you recommend it to others????

Re: 123&Me

kittyr99 — Mon, 10 Jun 2019 02:11:36 GMT

My family has done it. I enjoyed the results & recommend it! It's very easy & in about 6 weeks you will have your DNA & a full report of where your ancestors may have lived, along with other fun facts. You can (but don't have to) connect with distant relatives. I also did the health report for an added fee. Sometimes these kits go on sale around Fathers Day or other holidays. Good luck!

Re: 123&Me

CAcableGirl2 — Mon, 10 Jun 2019 02:18:34 GMT

@RINGER I think it's a great service unless you have any skeletons in your closet. My son did his as a gift from his girlfriend and it was very interesting to hear all the areas where our ancestors came from. I will probably due it the next time I see it on sale....I think Target has a good sale on it around the holidays last year. The more family members who do it can help get more details for all.

Now, saying how great it is, I have a friend who has someone in his family discover that their father was not their father, and the grandmother admitted to knowing but took that secret to her grave, and I've heard of a sp... donor (in college), who has now discovered that he has 20 children all over the country, and they are now connecting as they are 1/2 siblings. He didn't seem too pleased to find out since his donations were for money in college.

Re: 123&Me

sidsmom — Mon, 10 Jun 2019 02:34:11 GMT

I’m taking the last part of your question to independently answer.

’..would you recommend it to others?’

Many people who white-knuckle-clutch their wallet/purse/personal information will freeeeely hand over their DNA to an unknown, unsecure,

God-knows-who-will-use-it random company.

That?

I don’t understand their logic.

We continually see companies announcing breach of security with

our personal information like Name, Address, SSN...why wouldn’t this

happen with our DNA?

Yes, these tests have been out for a while & nothing evil has happened

but I truly believe we haven’t cracked the surface with the popularity

of this DNA information. Just the recent Quest Diagnostics breach

made me really uncomfortable...but giving my blood/DNA for

wellness checkups is a much different animal than to see if

I’m related to George Washington. Just seems silly to tempt fate.

Re: 123&Me

Desertdi — Mon, 10 Jun 2019 03:49:22 GMT

@sidsmom EVERYONE should take your post VERY SERIOUSLY. Especially in view of all the FB controversy. I have read reports (don't know if they have factual basis, tho).....that the DNA companies DO sell or "exchange" info.

Re: 123&Me

phoenixbrd — Mon, 10 Jun 2019 05:43:58 GMT

NO.

Re: 123&Me

JeanLouiseFinch — Mon, 10 Jun 2019 11:40:43 GMT

My sister and BIL were gifted kits from their daughter. Nothing earth shattering was revealed except that my sister was found to have more of a particular nationality than my BIL who has always taken great pride in being that nationality himself, believing he was 100%. Had a chuckle over that one.

I’ve also heard about data being collected and shared/exchanged. The security breaches concern me as well. Like Heather Land says, I ain’t doin’ it.

Re: 123&Me

godi — Mon, 10 Jun 2019 11:23:35 GMT

No no no

Re: 23&Me

I am still oxox — Mon, 10 Jun 2019 12:36:01 GMT

Its called 23 and me, I did Ancestry and my brother did 23 and me and it was interesting to see the results

ETA the name 23 and me comes from our 23 chromosones

Re: 123&Me

KKJ — Mon, 10 Jun 2019 12:16:20 GMT

I also have wanted to do this but not sure which to use. Is Ancestry better or this one? And how expensive are they? TIA!

Re: 123&Me

Gorgf — Mon, 10 Jun 2019 12:35:22 GMT

I paid $60 for a Holiday special in Dec. for Ancestry.I knew what I was but not the percentages and a more specific area of a country is shared. I also found some new 4 and 5 percentages in the mix. I was matched but ignored the matches as not interested.

Results take a month and customer service was helpful with ordering concerns.

Re: 123&Me

LindaSal — Mon, 10 Jun 2019 13:03:16 GMT

NO........I just wonder how accurate it really is???? As others I don't trust the confidential part. I think for some they would have been better off not finding out

certain things. I would rather believe my parents were honest good people and I am the

nationalities they told me I am.

Re: 123&Me

World Traveler — Mon, 10 Jun 2019 13:22:21 GMT

I have used 23andMe, also Ancestry, and the National Geographic version. Although each of them were basically the same, I found 23andMe to be the most detailed. I loved that I could get the health information from it.

I also purchased it for a friend who is of African descent. He was aware of conflicts in his paternity, and found it helpful in order to locate relatives. It brought tears to his eyes when I presented it to him, and when he was able to connect with others it was great for him and them. They have had a couple of family reunions and he frequently thanks me.

Anyone using these DNA companies can indicate if you want to be identified/contacted by others with your DNA markers. I chose not to allow that, so I have not been contacted by anyone in the 18 months since I did the testing.

Another friend used 23andMe and their doctor was able to use that information to help identify a medical concern that had perplexed the doctor prior to the testing. It was very helpful in knowing which medical tests to do next and to take care of the concern.

Re: 123&Me

Laura14 — Mon, 10 Jun 2019 17:29:54 GMT

@RINGER I have done it with 23 and Me and I highly recommend with the caveat that if you choose to do the medical side of it, be prepared. They can and will tell you what you are most likely to die of based on genetics and that's not for the faint of heart. Nor is it carved in stone but it's still tough to read what your demise could likely be.

As far as privacy, as someone who has actually used the service, you pick how much privacy you want to have. Yes they will share it among themselves but you control if they share it outside of 23 and Me researchers and/or identify you when they do. You can say yes but only anonymously or ask me first and they will. They've asked me and some I've said yes to and others no thanks. Or you can opt to not have them share at all.

If you or your husband are really paranoid, just give them a fake name and they'll never trace it back to you. There is no personal verification whatsoever. Just a name and an address. Use a workplace address if you are really skittish. I've personally had no problem at all with my DNA being studied and I find it comforting that I may, in a small way, help those who come after me with a multitude of diseases just by giving up a little spit.

Re: 123&Me

sidsmom — Mon, 10 Jun 2019 13:49:37 GMT

“...most likely to die (of) based on genetics...”

People don’t die because of genetics.

The percentage is very, very small your death is based on ‘genetics.’

Lifestyle is the greatest cause of modern day illnesses.

Re: 123&Me

henderson — Mon, 10 Jun 2019 14:59:50 GMT

I used 123andme and was very suprised I have no Native American in my DNA. I was told that my dad had a great grandmother who was N.A. But the biggest surprise was to find out I had a half brother. Evidently my dad (age 22) got a 14 year old pregnant (I guess they were dating). They did not marry, but the child was given our last name.

My brother was born in 1942 (my dad was in the army) and 4 days later my dad married my mom. I connected with my brother's daughter and we are communicating family history of my dad (he's deceased). I'm the middle child and my younger sister is interested in this, but my older sister refuses to hear anything about our brother. My dad was an alcoholic and my brother is a recovering one. His personality is much like my dad's. I think my brother deserves to know my dad as he grew up without a father.

Re: 123&Me

Montana — Mon, 10 Jun 2019 15:13:47 GMT

I think this is an interesting article:

“Why a DNA data breach is much worse than a credit card leak” by Angela Chen

Re: 123&Me

MoJoV — Mon, 10 Jun 2019 15:15:16 GMT

My husband and I both did 23 and me. We did get some surprises. I thought I was just two nationalities turns out I'm lots of nationalities. But mostly Irish. Its a fun thing to do. They give you lots of detailed info. I recommend it.

Re: 123&Me

occasionalrain — Mon, 10 Jun 2019 18:36:54 GMT

@Laura14 If you use a fake name and business address how would you expect the results to get to you? Most likely it would be returned as no one by that name was employed there. You would have to get a PO box but I think you would need identification to do that. You would also need to get a money order since to pay for it.

Whether or not you requested privacy, law enforcement can get a court order.

That's what happened on an episode of Bull.

Re: 123&Me

greamy — Mon, 10 Jun 2019 19:00:41 GMT

Is this the same kit called 23&me?