Effective immediately, the 33-marker paternal lineage test is now only $79 (down from $149). The paternal lineage test analyzes DNA in the Y chromosome, which is passed virtually unchanged from father to son. Advanced paternal lineage tests, maternal lineage tests (which looks at mitochondrial DNA passed from a mother to her children), and combination paternal and maternal lineage testing options are also part of the product suite.
With similar DNA tests typically costing more than $150, the new $79 price offers individuals the best available value for genetic genealogy DNA testing. Test options priced in the $79 range usually test fewer markers and are less genealogically useful.
"Ancestry.com has built a reputation synonymous with family history, and we think that DNA testing is a great complement to membership in our core service," said Tim Sullivan, CEO of The Generations Network, Inc., parent company of Ancestry.com. "Our very clear goal is to build the world's largest database of genetic genealogy results. Substantially reducing the price of our 33-marker paternal lineage test will allow more people than ever before to unlock the mystery of their ancient origins and to find living relatives from around the world."
Ancestry.com has one of the fastest-growing genetic genealogy databases in the world -- helping more and more of its members to extend the branches of their family trees, discover living relatives they never knew existed and find new leads where traditional paper trails dead end. "The acquisition of more DNA participants will benefit family historians, genetic genealogists and researchers seeking colorful facts about their family histories," Sullivan added. In addition, users who were tested with other genetic genealogy testing services can enter their test results and compare with others in the Ancestry.com DNA database, the only online DNA database that offers this functionality.
As part of their test results, participants receive:
* Ancient Haplogroup determination with information about that group and a map of their migrations
* Online results that can help to potentially identify genetic cousins
* Access to the rapidly expanding, searchable Ancestry.com DNA database
With the launch of the expanded DNA testing options, Ancestry.com has also introduced tools that allow users to add their DNA results to their online family trees. DNA results are inferred to all relevant members in the family tree, multiplying users' chances to find and make connections with genetic cousins who might not otherwise see their results. Since July 2006, more than 8.3 million family trees have been created online at Ancestry.com.
