Iordered my first DNA test back in 2007. Back then there were only two tests available – a Y-chromosome DNA test and a mitochondrial (mtDNA) test – and very few people had taken a DNA test or even understood the possibilities of DNA testing. The popular autosomal DNA cousinmatching tests, which account for the vast majority of sales today, hadn’t even been invented.
Fast forward 12 years and DNA is now all the rage. Long Lost Family recently had a special episode where DNA was used to help foundlings identify their birth parents. The cast of Coronation Street had their DNA tested in a special programme last autumn. Ant and Dec are set to tell the story of their DNA journey in another TV special to go out later this year. The testing companies are advertising on TV, and a DNA kit is often a popular choice as a birthday or Christmas present. Although DNA tests first became available in the year 2000 it’s only really in the last two years that sales have started to take off as the cost of the tests has come down. More people took a DNA test in 2017 than in all the previous 16 years combined. There are now over 26 million people around the world in the genetic genealogy databases. The marketing campaigns of the testing companies encourage you to take a test to ‘discover your roots’ and find out ‘where you really come from’.