The Genetic Genealogist

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.