Ancestry.com Joins 23andMe and Family Tree DNA in Offering DNA Comparative Services

We discussed 23andme in January of this year. In January 2011, we talked about the DNA Pro-Kids database.

Now for $99, users of Ancestry.com can compare their 700,000 genetic markers with others in the database. The software then compares others’ DNA looking for similarities. It identifies relationships between users from siblings to fifth cousins.

The article “Websites Use DNA to Create Family Trees” in the Wall Street Journal print edition 5/16/12 by Geoffrey A. Fowler describes how a 52-year-old California adoptee, Neil Schwartzman, used 23andme in 2010. In Spring 2011, he received a message from another customer, Jolie Pearl, who thought that he might be her brother. Jolie did not know that her parents had “given up a baby for adoption.” She confronted her mother who confirmed the adoption. Neil, Jolie and their mother eventually met and have a relationship.

Neil liked the 23and me system’s anonymous feature that allows either party the option of backing out from making contact.

REFORM Puzzle Piece