ConnectMyDNA Test Results

     Update: When I wrote this post, I did not intend for it to be as popular as it has become. Because of this, I have disabled comments. When reading this review of my ConnectMyDNA experience, keep in mind that I knew this was not a genealogy DNA test. However I cannot help but expect my "country connections" which reflect "which population group you most closely resemble" to have a connection to my heritage or physical appearance. The following review reflects those expectations and I stand by my comments.

     A few weeks ago I ordered a test from ConnectMyDNA via a LivingSocial special. I received my results back recently and they were... interesting. I knew that this was not an ancestry / genealogy DNA test, but rather it compares your DNA to current populations. I was curious: was my DNA more similar to the English, German or some other European?

     Well, according to ConnectMyDNA, my DNA is more Malaysian. Um, what?  Here's the breakdown:

     I was more than a bit confused by the results. There are only three European countries on the list, Sweden, Ireland and Slovenia. The rest are asian or hispanic countries. I don't know how my results could possibly be correct, even understanding that colonization mixed European DNA into populations throughout the world.

     I emailed ConnectMyDNA to find out more about why my results came out the way they did. I got a response that seems pretty copy and paste:

"Thank you for your inquiry. ConnectMyDNA™ is not an ancestry test.  ConnectMyDNA™ utilizes current databases that represent the modern world population structure. ConnectMyDNA™ provides you with a Gene Ring™ and the populations with which you share the most similarity. Your unique DNA signature is used to calculate the frequency of occurrence of your DNA profile with different population databases from around the world using a standard population genetics formula known as the Hardy-Weinberg equation. The numerical value of the different calculations identifies your top country connection. Your top country connection represents the population that you most closely resemble based on today’s demographics."

     Ok, I tried to do some research on this, but science is not my thing.  It appears that Hardy and Weinberg came up an equation that explains how the frequency of genotypes and alleles stay the same generation by generation and will not change under certain conditions. Pretty much ConnectMyDNA plugged my DNA into an equation and came up with these results. Their response to my email was not specific to my question or my DNA, and was not a very helpful.

     There may be a reason that my results came back the way they did, but I can't understand how they could be correct.  How can I have mostly pure European DNA and be more closely related to an Asian population?

     Simply put, I don't trust the results and would not recommend that anyone purchase a ConnectMyDNA test.

UPDATE: This message was posted on the ConnectMyDNA Facebook page in response to customer concerns:

"Here is some additional information on ConnectMyDNA that may shed some additional light to the results. 
Although there is no real simple way to explain some of the science involved, one way to express or explain your results is through Population Genetics. Population Genetics is a branch of genetics that focuses on how frequently genes occur in a population and once determined, how frequently combinations of genes (genotypes) should occur. For example, if a gene has two forms (alleles) in a population, they can be referred to as x and y. Allele x is found at a frequency of 10% in the population while allele y is found at a frequency of 90% (total adds up to 100%). A different population may have the same two alleles, but their frequencies may be different. Since each person contains two copies of a gene, one from each biological parent, there are three possible genotypes; x/x, x/y, and y/y. These three genotypes will occur in a frequency proportional to the individual allele frequencies and can be calculated using a standard Population Genetics equation known as the Hardy-Weinberg Equation. In this case the three genotypes are expected to occur at a frequency of: x/x is (0.1 x 0.1) = 1%; x/y is (2 x 0.1 x 0.9) = 18%; y/y = (0.9 x 0.9) = 81%.

ConnectMyDNA uses these principles in providing information about the population groups you share the most statistical similarity. Since the markers used to generate your unique DNA profile are weakly affiliated with ancestry, your connection will likely not match your expectations in terms of ancestry.

ConnectMyDNA is a fun and unique way to take 13 markers, a very small fragment of your own personal fingerprint and compare these to the same 13 markers of others around the world. It just so happens that those same markers are more prominent in your #1 country match.

If we were to expand and include other markers in this comparison, the results could change and become more refined and would perhaps show more of your ancestry if we also included markers used in ancestry testing. This also holds true if we were to add additional population databases as these could change the population order. ConnectMyDNA will always pick the top 5-10 matches, even if the most appropriate database is not included in the mix.

In a world that thrives on social connections CMD is a easy way to get people interested in learning more about themselves and create ways to connect with others with new commonality.
ConnectMyDNA uses these principles in providing information about the population groups you share the most statistical similarity. Since the markers used to generate your unique DNA profile are weakly affiliated with ancestry, your connection will likely not match your expectations in terms of ancestry. 
ConnectMyDNA is a fun and unique way to take 13 markers, a very small fragment of your own personal fingerprint and compare these to the same 13 markers of others around the world. It just so happens that those same markers are more prominent in your #1 country match.
If we were to expand and include other markers in this comparison, the results could change and become more refined and would perhaps show more of your ancestry if we also included markers used in ancestry testing. This also holds true if we were to add additional population databases as these could change the population order. ConnectMyDNA will always pick the top 5-10 matches, even if the most appropriate database is not included in the mix.
In a world that thrives on social connections CMD is a easy way to get people interested in learning more about themselves and create ways to connect with others with new commonality."

The ConnectMyDNA Kit

     On the 10th I ordered my ConnectMyDNA kit with a discounted coupon I bought through living social. Yesterday, the 13th, I received my kit in the mail. Here's what it looked like:

      The kit included two cheek swabs and an envelope to send them back in. I swabbed both cheeks and put the swabs into the envelope and had the kit back in the mailbox about 20 minutes after I originally retrieved it from the mailbox.  I was a bit concerned about my samples. They went into an envelope, not a plastic tube or anything. I noticed that the envelopes quickly became damp from the swabs - was my DNA soaking into the envelopes?

     It seems that once my samples are in the lab, it will only take a week for my test to be processed. This is very fast compared to 23andMe and ftDNA's 6-8 week wait (btw: it's been exactly one month since my two tests were received at those companies).  I'm curious about the results I'll get back from this test, which is not intended for genealogical use. But I do wonder if this test would be of interest to adoptees?

Update: My Results

What is ConnectMyDNA?

     I saw a tweet about a "DNA Self-Discovery Kit" and was curious enough to click on the link. It took me to a livingsocial deal for a DNA test for $29 (you buy a coupon to redeem elsewhere).  I'd never heard of the company before: ConnectMyDNA.

     From checking out their website and facebook page, it looks like this is a brand new DNA testing company that gives you a "Gene Ring," a sort of DNA fingerprint.  They say:

"Using cutting-edge science, ConnectMyDNA ™ looks at a tiny fragment (the 1%) of your DNA that makes you unique and creates your very own personal DNA signature. We then compare it to a database of over half a million samples of DNA collected from all over the world, revealing the most amazing story and giving you a snap shot of where you fit in this new world."

      Normally priced at $90, this test provides you with a visual representation of that 1% of your DNA and "connects" you to the populations reflected in your DNA. You use the website to explore your results.  Their references are from "current population groups from over 60 countries and identify which country your DNA profile most closely connects to." This is very different from tests provided from other genealogy minded DNA companies, which usually strive to find historic or ancient populations to test against. As you can guess, this test probably won't be helpful to your genealogy as those other tests are.

     But for only $30? I couldn't resist. It looks neat.

     If you're worried about your privacy, check out their policy.  They don't sell any of your data and they destroy your sample when they're done with the test.

     This deal is available for the next six days. If you are interested check it out.

Update: My Results


[Please note that the links provided to livingsocial are affiliate links. If three people buy through these links I get my money back. I cannot endorse this test because I haven't tried it before - I'm just willing to spend the money and take a chance.]