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Living DNA Testing Review


ConsumersAdvocate.org Rating: 4.3 / 5 (Excellent)
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Living DNA was founded in 2016 in the United Kingdom with the purpose of looking into ancestral DNA in 80 worldwide regions. Each sample provided is tested against 650,000 genetic markers and the results are distilled into digital raw data for personal use. One of the firm's ongoing projects is mapping out the world's DNA.
 
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How is Living DNA rated?

Breakdown

4.5/5
Products & Services
4.0/5
Privacy & Security
4.5/5
Online Resources
4.3/5
Cost & Availability

Overall Rating: 4.3 / 5 (Excellent)

Living DNA is a young company—established in 2016—that's a subsidiary of DNA Worldwide. Its database is still growing and the firm is capable of testing between 15,000 and 50,000 DNA samples a week, according to demand. It looks at ancestral, maternal and paternal lineage and offers the raw data results to the customer for personal use. Other features are in the works, mainly a project that seeks to prove that we are all genetically interconnected. Consumers can expect that their data will be stored for at least 10 years and can be destroyed upon request, but the company can’t guarantee that samples stored in laboratories will be discarded. The price of the DNA kit is in the upper range and the results' waiting period longer than most comparable services. Living DNA's privacy policy mentions that it discloses some information to third parties for the purpose of the analysis of the DNA kits. Overall, some of the company's offerings can be appealing to consumers, but it still has room to grow.

Living DNA Testing Features

Testing Features - 4.5 / 5

Living DNA has its main testing facility in Denmark and it's partnered with Eurofins, a conglomerate with over 200 labs in 38 countries. The company looks for all markers in the consumer's DNA—ancestral, maternal and paternal lines—to map out his or her genetic roots and compare them to a growing database. Some results are estimates since the database is still in development.
DNA Testing Features
Autosomal
Y-Chromosome
Mitochondrial
Time for Results
10 to 12 weeks
Collection Method
Cheek Swab
Company Does Own Testing
Yes

Living DNA Results Analysis

Products & Services - 4.5 / 5

Since the firm doesn't allow for DNA comparisons between its members, there's no information about the size of its database. Instead, the company uses existing databases to which they have been granted access. Of the 52 geographical regions studied, 21 are in the UK alone. Living DNA compares samples with 80 population groups around the world.
Size of Database
Undisclosed
Number of Geographical Regions Identified
52 worldwide regions
Identification of Relatives
No
Number of Ethnicities Identified
80 population groups

Living DNA Other Services

Online Resources - 4.5 / 5

Currently, Living DNA doesn’t have a feature to match relatives through its database. However, the company is working on “Family Networks,” a feature which will be available in mid-2018. The Living DNA platform breaks down the customer’s ancestry and looks back at least 10 generations. It’s meant to be used as a roadmap to his or her ancestry, not as a matching DNA service.
DNA for Medical Purposes
No
Mobile App
No
Family Tree Creator
No

Member Features

  • Blog
  • Social Network Integration

Migration Information

Living DNA claims to put the customer's ancestry in context and to report the spread of his or her ancestors at different points in history, going back 10 generations.

Living DNA Pricing

Cost & Availability - 4.3 / 5

The Living DNA test kit is pricier but within the range of its competitors. It doesn't offer add-ons or premium features; however, users can participate in the "One Family One World" project with their existing DNA data.
Basic Kit Price
$169
Discounts and Offers
Living DNA is offering its kit for $99 plus delivery for a limited time. It also markets a printed version of the user's DNA analysis for $69, sold separately.

Cost of Add-ons

The firm wants to expand its database through its "One Family One World" project, which asks new and existing users to participate in a five-year program to map out the world's DNA.

Living DNA Reputation

Reputation - 4 / 5

There weren't any reviews for Living DNA in the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and although the firm appears in the TrustPilot search engine, it hasn't been reviewed.
Number of BBB Positive Reviews
0
Number of BBB Negative Reviews
0
Year Founded
2016
Trust Pilot Rating
0.0 out of 10
Date Collected
2018-03-15

Living DNA Privacy

Privacy & Security - 4 / 5

Living DNA will retain a user's DNA data for 10 years unless otherwise specified. If the customer asks that the sample be destroyed, it will be but "...not necessarily those held by our laboratory.” Living DNA partners with Eurofins, which has 200 laboratories in 38 countries.
Time Company Holds Data
10 years
Disclosure to Third Parties
Yes
Encryption/Web Security
The firm adheres to ISO:27001 for information security, an international standard. Living DNA also requires its partners to implement security and privacy protocols.

Company Profile

Full Name
Living DNA Testing
Company Website
https://www.livingdna.com/en?action
Headquarters
K10 the Courtyard, Jenson Avenue, Commerce Park, Frome, United Kingdom, BA11 2FG
Mailing Address
K10 the Courtyard, Jenson Avenue, Commerce Park, Frome, United Kingdom, BA11 2FG

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Customer Comments & Reviews

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R
rghough98
7/19/2019
The advertising for Living DNA indicated that it would help find other living relatives; it did not. It promised a book regarding its findings; still have not received and get nothing but the run-around. I would rate this as not much more than a scam to get your money.

A
Andrew N
3/27/2019
This company has, by a far margin, the worst customer service I've ever experienced. My wife and I activated and mailed kits on December 26, 2018. Both were received, as indicated by the Living DNA status updates. My wife received her results shortly thereafter. However, my status never changed. I began trying to contact them through email, which is their only option. They give themselves a generous "two business weeks" to respond to emails, and they fail to even meet that. Eventually, after numerous emails, someone responded on February 26, 2019 and said that they, "had a few big problems over January which created a huge influx in customer enquiries," and were reaching out to... Read More

Top Rated
Our Partner
  • Tests for 650,000 genetic markers
  • Ancestry results go back 10 generations
  • Partnership with over 200 laboratories
  • Young, growing company
  • Invested in mapping out the world’s genetic roots
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