Doing a DNA test can tell you a lot about yourself. It can show your ancestry, your health, and even the best way for you to exercise. DNA tests are full of interesting information but this information can often be quite complicated.
After all, DNA tests are medical processes, so they are going to be best understood by a doctor. (N.B. before doing anything with the information from your DNA test or Genomelink, it’s important to consult your doctor.)
The human body is amazing but your own body can often be a bit of a mystery. You can never really know exactly what’s going on inside your body. But a DNA test can give you some idea.
Reading a DNA test is complicated but that’s where companies like Genomelink come in. You simply upload the raw data from your DNA test and they tell you what all of it actually means.
But first, the basics, what is Genomelink and what does it do?
What is Genomelink?
Genomelink is one of many companies set up in the wake of the surge in popularity of DNA testing.
Genomelink takes the data from your DNA test and can tell you lots of information about how your DNA presents itself.
There are two different options available for Genomelink. There is one report that is free and provides you with:
- Immediate access to 25 trait reports
- The ability to compare your Genomelink traits with one person of your choosing
The other option is a subscription. This is the Genomelink Unlimited Plan. It is $14 a month and provides you with access to:
- 100+ trait reports
- A weekly email with information on the latest trait that scientific research has allowed Genomelink to analyze
- The ability to compare Genomelink traits with 5 other people of your choosing
How it Works
Genomelink doesn’t conduct DNA testing itself. This is the first important thing to know. They can, however, read information from DNA tests produced by other companies. So you can upload information from 23andMe, Ancestry.com, and MyHeritage.
These are all reputable companies that are well-known and respected. These DNA tests generally tell you information about your ancestry. But they can actually tell you a lot more.
So, once you have received your test results from one of these companies, you upload the raw data to their site. This, according to Genomelink, takes only 1 single minute of your time. Then, Genomelink runs through this data and tells you an array of different traits based on your DNA.
What can they tell you?
DNA testing is complicated and there are limitations. But, our DNA is incredibly important.
So, if you’re wondering if some of your traits are just you personally or if they are because of your DNA, Genomelink is a great site to use.
Personal Traits
One of the main services that Genomelink offers is an analysis of how your DNA presents. This is both physically and in your personality.
Here are just some of the things Genomelink can tell you about yourself:
Food and Nutrition
Genomelink can test more than 200 traits. These are physical traits such as allergies or how you react generally to different foods. This can also tell you how you should eat.
For example, it can tell you if you have a strong tolerance of caffeine or sugar. This can help you develop and maintain a healthy diet. It can also help you to know your limits.
If you keep finding yourself super jittery after just one cup of coffee, Genomelink can tell you if it’s because of a low caffeine tolerance.
Personality
Genomelink can also provide you with information about your own personality. You may think this sounds implausible but remember just how important our DNA is.
The debate of nature versus nurture has been raging for centuries. There are those who assume that we are all born as blank slates and that the way we were raised is the only thing that impacts how we behave. But this isn’t necessarily true.
It’s not so simple that one genome controls, for example, how proud you are as a person. But the way your DNA interacts can have a bearing on your personality. This is especially true of personality traits such as depression or addiction.
For a long time, these were considered to be the result of external factors. And they do have an impact. But, some people simply have addictive personalities or are more prone to mental illness, due to the makeup of their DNA.
Intelligence
Another personal trait that Genomelink can tell you about relates to your general intelligence. This can be something like your cognitive ability, your capacity for memorizing information, or just how good (or bad) you are at math.
Genomelink can even give you information about whether or not you are a musical person. This all sounds almost too impressive to be true. But it does make sense when you consider how intelligence differs and how we are all born with different talents and abilities.
Physical
Genomelink can also provide you with information on how your DNA impacts the way you look. This is the personal trait that most of us are able to understand the easiest.
We can, afterall, look at our biological parents and see their physical features echoed in our own.
Sports
As well as physical features, Genomelink can also tell you about your physical abilities.
It can provide you with information on your endurance abilities. It can also tell you about your strength capacity and even comment on your potential longevity.
Ancient Ancestry Report
As well as the free personal trait report and subscription service, Genomelink also offers a few more paid reports.
One of these is an Ancient Ancestry Report. This is pretty self-explanatory but it essentially tells you how your DNA compares to the DNA of people living over 5,000 years ago.
This is interesting but, as with other features of this kind of DNA testing and analysis, it shouldn’t be taken too seriously. For one, the genetic information we have of people who lived over 5,000 years ago is unsurprisingly limited.
Another reason is that, if you go back far enough, the vast majority of human beings are related to each other. So, when you are told how your DNA measures up to the DNA of people who lived thousands of years ago, you will likely be told very similar information as the vast majority of other people who use the site.
This isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It can still be fascinating to see how your DNA compares to people living 5,000 years ago. For many of us, the idea that people were living where we are now thousands of years ago is difficult enough to comprehend.
But to find that they were just like us is a great use of this service. If this tool helps people to feel a little more connected to not only their history but the history of all people, this is a great thing. This service can help people to feel more connected to one another, which cannot be a bad thing.
Big 5 Career Type Report
You have probably come across a report similar to this before. In fact, you may have been made to take one in school. This report provides you with an in-depth analysis of how your genetic characteristics can make you suitable for specific kinds of jobs.
Of course, this can’t tell you exactly how you will perform in certain situations. You will never know exactly how you will perform at work until you are there.
But, if you have already done the DNA test and are wondering what else you can find out, or want to know if you should just quit your job and risk everything for something else, it’s worth trying out.
Nutrition Advice Report
Your DNA can tell you a lot about how your body reacts to certain foods and nutrients. This means that your DNA can tell you which foods are best for your body and which should be avoided.
This report can provide you with advice on how to not only develop a healthy and balanced diet but a diet that is perfect for you. There are, of course, foods and ways of eating that are known to be healthy.
But if you have an allergy or food intolerance to a vegetable, then it won’t be a healthy option for you. (It should be noted that this advice should not be used in place of professional help from a dietician. It is advice and guidance only).
Fitness Advice Report
As well as providing you with information on the healthiest diet for you, Genomelink can also tell you the best exercises for your body too. So, if you want to know if you will ever actually be able to build that six-pack, this could be the perfect test for you.
As with food and nutrition, there are exercises that are considered good and healthy for most people. But not everyone will react in the same way. Some people can lift heavy weights a few times and see impressive results.
Some people can lift heavy weights every day and still remain tiny. This test might just put your mind at ease and allow you to start working out in the best way to suit you and your body.
Additional Features
As well as analyzing your personal traits, Genomelink also allows you to compare our analysis with other people. This is one person for free or up to 5 people if you choose to pay for the monthly subscription.
This is a great feature, especially if you compare your results with your family members. This can potentially tell you which traits you get from which parent. It can also allow you to compare your results with your siblings.
So you can finally find out which of you is really the best… (Unfortunately, Genomelink cannot finally tell which of you is your parents’ favorite…)
You might be wondering what exactly a paid subscription can offer you beyond the initial free report. Which is a very valid question.
If you do decide to pay for a monthly subscription, you will receive a weekly update on the newest information on genetic testing. This can provide you with even more insight into your own DNA. This means that you can potentially find out something new about your personality or physicality every week.
This is great if you want to be regularly updated on the latest scientific discoveries that can relate to your own DNA. But also great if you have an interest in genetics.
A lot of people take DNA tests just out of pure curiosity. But you may have taken one because genetics fascinates you. And what better way to learn more about genetics than by discovering and analyzing your own?
These weekly emails will be a great way for you to find out more about yourself. But they will also provide a great insight into the world of genetics.
Accuracy
After reading through all of that, you’re probably wondering just how a website can do all of this. And you are right to be skeptical. It is a good idea to be skeptical of any company that has sprung up quickly in response to a fad.
It is also a good idea to take all of the information with a pinch of salt. There is no argument to say that Genomelink provides false information but your DNA cannot tell you absolutely everything about yourself.
To their credit, Genomelink even has a section on their website that answers the question about why reports may sometimes seem inaccurate. This primarily comes back to the argument of nature versus nurture. Your DNA may tell you something that you are sure isn’t true about yourself.
For example, your report might tell you that you have a genetic predisposition for laziness. If you are actually a very active person who likes to get things done, then this will seem inaccurate. But this can simply mean that you have overcome with a predisposition or that you were raised to be a go-getter.
It’s important to remember that these aren’t tests being scrutinized in a laboratory by scientists. The DNA tests are different, of course. But a site like Genomelink is providing you with information from a database and from current scientific understanding. Science is constantly discovering new things and often these new discoveries tell us that old ones are actually very wrong.
So, before taking a DNA test or uploading your information to Genomelink, remember that they mostly exist just for general interest and fun. If you have any genuine concerns about your health or wellbeing, then you should contact your doctor.
A DNA test and a site like Genomelink cannot act as a replacement for professional medical advice.
Privacy
As soon as you saw the word “data”, you probably became concerned about privacy and security. You will need to agree to Genomelink accessing and analyzing your personal data. And your DNA is very personal data.
Genomelink promises that you will retain complete control and ownership over your data. So, you might upload your data then decide that you don’t like the idea of it hanging about on a site once you have received your report. This is fine and you can easily delete your data from their site. It is at all times entirely yours to control.
Your data will sometimes be shared with third-parties. These are generally laboratoris and contractors that the site works with to provide their service. Genomelink offers a list of what they call “Subprocessors” on its website. They are a very transparent company and you will be able to read all of this information before using the service.
Although the privacy policy is very standard (and long and a bit boring), it is worth reading for peace of mind. If you are concerned about who will see your personal data and how they will use it, make sure to read the privacy policy of Genomelink and the company you use for your DNA test.
Conclusion
Genomelink promises a lot and seems to be able to deliver. Genomelink can take the information of several very reputable companies.
And they have in-depth information on privacy and the use of your data. As a company, they seem very aware of the very personal nature of the service they provide.
The service Genomelink provides is thorough and exhaustive. But it is primarily just for fun. This isn’t a site to use if you’re worried about an illness. (They really cannot replace your doctor).
This site isn’t too serious. The layout and style of their website are very cartoonish and fun. It’s all good-natured and doesn’t make any huge promises that it can’t really live up to.
Overall, we say “give it a go”. Who knows? Maybe you can finally discover that your laziness isn’t your fault and it’s all just in your DNA and you can even prove it to your boss with DNA analysis.
(But we nor Genomelink make no promises or take responsibility for how your boss might react to this information…)