How much does a DNA test cost?

Written by Claudia Smith
23 March 2016

The short answer is less than £100! The long answer is that the cost of a DNA test is now affordable to many people. This is due to the widespread demand for DNA testing for a variety of reasons. In the past, testing was most often used to determine paternity or to prove or deny paternity when it was being contested. Most of the time, testing was done by a specific laboratory and the cost was fixed at a higher price point. This is because testing one or two samples was more costly than testing several samples.

So how much is DNA testing?

DNA Testing Choice provides a listing for every DNA test that you can buy online to take at home and displays each DNA test price. Prices for each test, whether for paternity, for health, or for ancestry are listed by category. Some labs are located in the US and Canada, but there are plenty of laboratories throughout the UK. For most types of DNA testing you should be able to find a lab based in the UK.

Today, testing is mainly done for ancestry inquiries, for paternity, and for health reasons. Testing for health reasons was once limited to patients who had concerns about inheriting certain diseases and had discussed testing with their healthcare professional. Now, people can have testing done for many different types of health concern, whether they know their family health history or not. The DNA testing cost for health inquiries has dropped dramatically, anyone who has concerns can probably afford it.

When it comes to asking exactly how much a DNA test is, it will depend on the reason for testing. Paternity tests are more basic, so they typically cost less than those for ancestry (under £100 for non-court approved paternity tests, around £300 for court-approved paternity tests). Testing for disease markers will cost more, due to the extent of testing and the interpretation of the results.

The DNA test cost to establish or discount paternity is often the least expensive. Couples who need to identify the biological father of a child can pay a small fee for a ‘peace of mind’ (non-court approved) test and get results within a day or two. Below we go into the different types of DNA testing and the costs associated with each.

How much does a DNA test cost for paternity?

DNA Testing Choice paternity listings provide a listing for every paternity test that you can buy online to take at home, and displays each DNA test price.

The cost of paternity testing will range from £88 to £390, depending on the test and lab used. Results can be available on the same day you order in some instances. The cost for same-day results varies from £99 to £169, depending on which lab is used. There are only a few laboratories that provide same-day results. However, there are many more that provide results within a day or two. For most people, this is the preferred choice.

Some UK laboratories may take up to a week to provide paternity test results. Labs that take up to a week for paternity test results tend to price their services near the lower end of the range.

Those who are unsure if they’ll go through with the test after taking the samples can order a free DNA test kit. However, just because the kit is free, doesn’t mean that the entire process is free. After the samples are collected, they must be sent to a laboratory for processing. There are fees involved in shipping the samples and fees for processing the samples. Still, a free DNA testing kit may be a good idea if paternity is in question. It is also important to note that if you order a free test kit to take the samples at home, the results will not be admissible in court because a professional has not witnessed you providing those samples.

A free or cheap DNA testing kit can answer questions about paternity before you decide to take a case to court, as long you’re sure that you’re sending samples from the alleged father and child to the lab, and that the samples could not have been tampered with.

DNA Ancestry testing

DNA testing for ancestry is a growing trend. Testing for ancestry can reveal a few different types of information. The first type of information it reveals is ethnicity. Many people think they are of one ethnic origin, but then discover that there are many ethnicities in their genetic makeup. This feature may be important to those who are adopted, who are keen to learn more about themselves. It’s worth noting that ethnicity can sometimes make a person more prone to specific types of health problem or disease. Having this information can be helpful to those who are working with a healthcare professional to diagnose a condition.

Sometimes, knowing one’s ethnicity can be a source of pride. A person who doesn’t know his or her ethnicity may be interested to learn about the food preferences and cultural practices relating to their genetic heritage. Knowing one’s ethnicity can also give an individual a sense of belonging. It can be a way for a person to celebrate his or her uniqueness.

Ancestry DNA testing can connect distant relatives. Those who have used ancestry testing in the past have the opportunity to have their DNA results recorded in a database. An individual who submits a sample for this type of testing can have his or her DNA matched to those who are already registered in the database. In some instances, an individual can find cousins or distant relatives sharing similar DNA. In other instances, an adopted person may be able to find parents, grandparents, or siblings who were adopted elsewhere.

How much does a DNA test cost for ancestry?

DNA Testing Choice ancestry listings provide a listing for every ancestry test that you can buy online to take at home, and displays each DNA test price.

Ancestry testing prices range from £55 to £969. The fees at the higher end will include other forms of DNA testing related to health and genetic disease markers. For those who simply want to know where they come from, testing is relatively inexpensive. Most companies offering ancestry testing will provide results in 4 to 12 weeks. Some companies in the UK can have results in as little as 2 weeks. Price isn’t really dependent on how long it takes to get results.

Sometimes people want to use caution when choosing life partners, especially if they are from tight-knit communities. This is especially important for those who have no information about their birth parents. Couples can each submit a sample to determine if they are related, and to what extent. This can prevent couples from having children with birth defects or can prevent the embarrassment of dating a close relative.

There are examples of couples becoming romantically involved, only to discover years later that they are related after acquaintances and distant relatives give them some background. It is much easier to submit samples for DNA testing from the start, to avoid any shocking news at a later date.

When an individual chooses ancestry DNA testing, depending on the test they choose, he or she can receive a thorough evaluation of their ethnicity, or an analysis of their male and female lineage. However, only men can receive information about their male lineage, as only men carry the Y chromosome which is used to trace paternal ancestry. Women can still gain plenty of insight into their familial history with ancestry testing, and can ask their brother or father to take an ancestry test so they have a complete picture of their male and female lineage.

Results are sometimes offered in the form of a historical narration. In addition, the reports will often provide information on how many individuals there are with the same genetic markers, and how they’re geographically distributed. For some people, the distribution of their DNA markers can provide a clue as to where their distant ancestors came from. Many people find these reports can refute or support the oral history provided by older generations of their family.

DNA testing for health

For many people, DNA testing for health is worth the cost. There are many reasons to test for genetic or inherited health problems. One reason is to give physicians the most complete picture of your health, in case there’s a risk of passing a condition on to your children. Tay Sachs, Huntington’s Disease, Sickle Cell Anaemia, Cystic Fibrosis, and Down’s Syndrome are examples of such disorders. Many of these diseases will be apparent upon birth or shortly after. Each of these, with the exception of Huntington’s Disease, will require medical intervention from birth or within the first few weeks of life.

Huntington’s Disease affects adults in the prime of their lives. Usually, family members are aware of the potential to develop the disease, based on the medical history of previous generations. Every child of a parent with the Huntington’s gene has a 50% chance of getting the disease. If the child doesn’t get the gene, his or her children won’t. This may be important for those who are considering children or those who don’t have a biological family history, due to adoption.

Many families opt to have children tested when a parent is diagnosed with the disease. Huntington’s rarely affects children in their teen years, but it does happen. Any of the diseases affected solely by inheritance are known as being 100% penetrant, as those who receive the gene associated to that condition will eventually suffer with it. Because many of these diseases require additional medical care, families may plan differently for the future if they know in advance. Planning ahead may allow for financial and care considerations.

Many diseases can be the result of a combination of genes, lifestyle and behaviour. Type II Diabetes is one of them. While sedentary lifestyle and poor diet contribute, there are active people eating healthily who also get type II Diabetes. Knowing in advance if a person carries genetic markers for the disease can help a person decide how he or she will live. For instance, taking extra precautions with dietary choices and maintaining a healthy weight may become a priority. Physicians who are aware of the genetic tendencies in the family can also help patients maintain healthier lifestyles. Early detection and developing an action plan can often make a difference to lifespan and quality of life for such individuals.

How much does a DNA test cost for health?

DNA testing for health and genetic diseases was previously cost-prohibitive for many people. Now, people who want to know what they may be at risk for can do so inexpensively.

If you’re concerned that you’re currently suffering with a genetic disease, you can speak with your doctor who may arrange for you to be tested for free via the National Health Service (NHS). These types of genetic test can often help with diagnosing and treating a condition, however, genetic tests for diagnostic purposes can not be ordered online to take at home, and are not listed on DNA Testing Choice.

DNA Testing Choice health listings provide a listing for every health test that you can buy online to take at home, and displays each DNA test price.

Testing for health can cost as little as £89 or as much as £825, depending on the extent of the testing and the laboratory chosen. Some people may desire DNA testing for diet and fitness, which covers different sets of genetic markers and processes like metabolism. These markers are important to athletes who want to optimise training, nutrition, fitness, and recovery. Reports focusing on metabolism can help them design personalised fitness plans that help them achieve at optimal levels. They can also help by preventing injuries through proper rest programs.

DNA testing is not for everyone. However, many people are choosing to take matters into their own hands. For matters of paternity, knowing sooner is better than later. For issues related to ancestry, people may want to find their familial connections or ethnic group, to gain a sense of who they are. Health testing may be important for those who don’t have a family health history or who want to improve their physical health and fitness. DNA testing is affordable for most people, regardless of their motivation.