How it works
Discover how we generate 36 comprehensive health reports from a simple cheek swab
Taking the test
The MyHeritage DNA Health+Ancestry test reveals valuable information about your health and gives you fascinating insights into your family history. The kit consists of a simple cheek swab (no blood or spit required) and takes only 2 minutes to use. Mail your sample back to the lab for analysis and you will be invited to view your results online as soon as they are available.
DNA analysis
When the lab receives your DNA sample, experienced technicians process your sample individually, using cutting-edge technology. In the lab, we extract your DNA, amplify it, and translate the biological information into digital raw data. Once your DNA has been converted to a digital form, our algorithms generate your Genetic Risk and Carrier Status Reports, as well as calculate your Ethnicity Estimate and identify your DNA Matches.
We use advanced technology to analyze your DNA — a custom-designed Global Screening Array format chip, with hundreds of thousands of strategically selected probes to capture the greatest amount of genetic variation. The new chip provides us with the flexibility to add reports for more conditions, without the need to collect a new DNA sample in the future.
For some conditions, we analyze a few common variants that are strongly associated with the condition and supported by extensive research. If we detect a variant that increases your risk for developing or passing on a certain condition, we confirm this result before reporting it. To validate the result, we use Sanger sequencing, the industry's standard for genetic testing.
For more complex conditions, like heart disease, we analyze thousands of variants across your entire genome and generate your genetic risk estimate using a cutting-edge method called polygenic risk scores. This is the most comprehensive approach for generating genetic risk scores for these conditions.
Privacy
- You are the owner of your data and you can delete it permanently at any time.
- We will never share your data with any third parties without your explicit consent. Your reports will be shared with PWNHealth to facilitate physician oversight of your test.
- We are the only DNA company that pledges to never share your data with insurance companies.