Family Tree DNA Launches DNATraits, A New DNA Testing Company
Bennett Greenspan and Max Blankfeld [I apologize for the previous misspelling of Greenspan's and Blankfeld's names] of the genetic genealogy testing company Family Tree DNA have launched a new service called DNATraits to examine a customer’s DNA for evidence of genetic disease. According to the website, DNATraits:
“provides direct-to-consumer genetic data from tests conducted on individual DNA samples. DNATraits offers tests that are broader in scope and less expensive than any in the world, complete with a free consultation with our genetic counselors before testing (optional) and a free consultation after testing (required) to discuss your results.”
DNATraits claims that their service is different from other DNA testing companies, as explained in their comparison page. Notably, the process of returning the results to the consumer appears to be different from some other companies: the DNA results are returned to the “DNATraits medical doctor for review and confirmation” before being sent to a genetic counselor. The customer is then emailed and directed to set up a telephone appointment with the genetic counselor. After the consultation, the customer is given direct access to all their test results.
The DNATraits website has tutorials available on their website, including ‘How the Testing Process Works‘ and ‘Frequently Asked Questions,’ and I love the figures in ‘Introduction to Inheritance.’
The company was established by two long-time members of the genetic genealogy community: “With years of experience in genotyping for large corporations and delivery of DNA-related information to hundreds of thousands of customers, a group of scientists and entrepreneurs formed DNATraits to lead a paradigm shift in the way DNA tests related to inherited traits are made available to the general public.” See the ‘About Us‘ page.
Interestingly, the company also offers extended memberships to customers. The Standard Membership ($50) includes a DNA collection kit, any one test offered, free genetic counseling, and storage of DNA for five years. The Premium membership ($150) includes a DNA extraction kit, any one test offered, free genetic counseling, storage of DNA for five years, and a 25% discount on individual tests and 10% discount on panel tests for two years.
DNATraits currently offers the following tests:
Group Tests:
- Ashkenazi Jews Genetic Disease Package $450.00
- Clotting Disorders Panel $75.00
- Introductory Panel $300.00
Individual Tests:
- Abetalipoproteinemia (Ashkenazi Specific) $50.00
- Adrenal Hyperplasia, classical and non-classical (Ashkenazi Specific) $50.00
- Alpha-1-Antitrypsin Deficiency $100.00
- Bloom Syndrome (Ashkenazi Specific) $50.00
- Canavan Disease (Ashkenazi Specific) $60.00
- Chorea-Acanthocytosis (Ashkenazi Specific) $50.00
- Cystic Fibrosis $150.00
- Cystic Fibrosis (Ashkenazi Specific) $50.00
- Factor XI Deficiency (Ashkenazi Specific) $50.00
- Familial Dysautonomia (Ashkenazi Specific) $50.00
- Familial Hyperinsulinism (Ashkenazi Specific) $50.00
- Familial Mediterranean Fever (Ashkenazi Specific) $50.00
- Fanconi Anemia, Complementation Group C (Ashkenazi Specific) $50.00
- Fragile X Syndrome $100.00
- Gaucher Disease (Ashkenazi Specific) $50.00
- Glycogen Storage Disease 1A (Ashkenazi Specific) $50.00
- Glycogenosis VII Phosphokinase Deficiency, Late Onset (Ashkenazi Specific) $50.00
- Hermansky-Pudlak Syndrome (Ashkenazi Specific) $50.00
- Lipoamide dehydrogenase deficiency (Ashkenazi Specific) $50.00
- Maple Syrup Urine Disease (Ashkenazi Specific) $50.00
- Mucolipidosis, Type IV (Ashkenazi Specific) $50.00
- Nemaline Myopathy (Ashkenazi Specific) $50.00
- Niemann-Pick Disease, Types 1 and 2 (Ashkenazi Specific) $50.00
- Non-Syndromic Deafness (Ashkenazi Specific) $50.00
- Spinal Muscular Atrophy $100.00
- Tay-Sachs Disease (Ashkenazi Specific) $50.00
- Usher Syndrome, Types 1F and 3 (Ashkenazi Specific) $50.00
HT: Rootsweb’s GENEALOGY-DNA mailing list.
February 21st, 2008 at 6:29 pm
they actually pay their counselors. Now you go and say that their service is so insignificant that it is FREE? Come on….where is the business plan here? Some way they have to be making a profit…Dr Bettinger covers this company very nicely on hisblog. Their list of advisors includes a Critical Care Medicine/Population Geneticist. Great for geneaology…..”Doron Behar has multi-year background experience in the development of genetic testing for the public using a direct internet based customer
February 23rd, 2008 at 12:55 am
8.Family Tree DNA Launches DNATraits, A New DNA Testing Company The Genetic Genealogistwww.thegeneticgenealogist.com5 commentsSocialRank Max Bennett and Max Blankfield of the genetic genealogy testing company Family Tree DNA have launched a new service called DNATraits to examine a customer’s DNA for evidence of genetic
February 21st, 2008 at 6:34 am
Blaine Bettinger of The Genetic Genealogistbreaks the newsof the launch of a new personal genomics company, DNATraits. The twist: rather than scan your entire genome for common variations, like the Me Two (23andMe and deCODEme), DNATraits allows you to choose the genetic tests you want
February 22nd, 2008 at 5:34 pm
ll have to start elbowing people aside. Genetic genealogy company Family Tree DNA has launched DNATraits which “specializes in DNA testing to identify genetic disorders and susceptibility to inherited diseases and characteristics.†Blaine atThe Genetic Genealogistand Daniel at Genetic Future have more on this new launch. (NB: I work for competitor DNA Direct.)
February 21st, 2008 at 12:45 pm
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February 21st, 2008 at 1:44 pm
[...] DNATraits, a personal genomics service that specializes in DNA testing for specific diseases, says The Genetic Genealogist. The company offers individual tests, group tests, and even a membership plan, all for relatively [...]
February 22nd, 2008 at 1:35 pm
[...] genetic disorders and susceptibility to inherited diseases and characteristics.” Blaine at The Genetic Genealogist and Daniel at Genetic Future have more on this new launch. (NB: I work for competitor DNA [...]
February 22nd, 2008 at 9:34 pm
It would be nice if one of the “Group Tests” would be “test all which are currently offered.”
February 22nd, 2008 at 10:33 pm
Dirk – I hadn’t thought of that. Sure would keep the genetic counselor busy, wouldn’t it?
February 25th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
[...] of returning the results to the consumer appears to be different from some other companies: …… Read more… [...]
February 27th, 2008 at 8:12 am
Just wanted to point out that although DNA Traits is being compared to DNA Direct, there are some major differences between the two companies. DNA Direct offers genetic counseling with oversight from a medical geneticist, plus the genetic counseling piece is web-enabled for complete access to results and information as the consumer needs it. We also use CLIA-certified labs. For more information, please see our clearly laid out standards.
Disclaimer: I work for DNA Direct as a genetic information specialist.
Hsien Lei’s last blog post..Ann Turner on Personal Genomics Companies 23andMe vs deCODEme
February 28th, 2008 at 10:53 am
Thanks for highlighting some of the differences Hsien. I’m unable to find any reference to lab certification on the DNATraits site.
May 21st, 2008 at 1:49 am
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October 20th, 2008 at 2:08 am
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October 26th, 2008 at 12:24 am
[...] DNA. Most DNA is located in the cell nucleus where it is called nuclear DNA, buoych1961.blogspot.comFamily Tree DNA Launches DNATraits, A New DNA Testing Company Bennett Greenspan and Max Blankfeld I apologize for the previous misspelling of Greenspan??s and [...]
January 8th, 2009 at 7:55 am
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June 29th, 2009 at 4:53 pm
I’m a big fan of DNA testing, I find it useful in many areas of activity, including this one.
March 11th, 2010 at 1:03 am
I have the Blankfield family tree. I left South Africa for Australia 45 years ago. Email me or phone me at 61-3-9853-8637. I will be overseas and not contactable from March 27 tillApril 28.
Adele
March 26th, 2010 at 8:17 pm
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October 12th, 2012 at 1:01 am
is it only for the Jews elite Ashkenazi….
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