“Who am I?” If you’ve ever asked yourself this question, one way to seek an answer is by testing your DNA. Just a small sample could reveal who your ancestors were, where they came from, and which traits you may have inherited from them.
Most people purchase tests directly from a company that specializes in DNA testing. Some do this out of curiosity about their ethnic or national origins. But others have more practical reasons. Adoptees often use DNA testing to identify biological parents. Others test to find relatives, such as unknown grandparents or lost siblings. As a member of a Gold Star family,* I’ve used DNA testing. My cousin served in the military and was a prisoner of war who never returned home. As his closest living relative, my DNA will be matched to any recovered remains.
Your DNA could also help researchers who study what genes can tell us about the potential for developing certain diseases. This is why testing companies share their clients’ genetic information with other companies. That research could be crucial in treating cancer patients, for example, or for couples who want to assess the risk of passing heritable diseases on to their children.