It really wasn’t that long ago when even the simplest DNA testing was unaffordable for most people. How times have changed! Thanks to improvements in the science of and technology involved in analysis plus competition in the marketplace, most DNA tests have become extremely affordable. So how much does a DNA test cost? Here are some answers.
What Do DNA Testing Costs Include?
Generally speaking, there are two components of any DNA test that help determine DNA testing costs:
- The price of DNA collection materials
- The fee associated with the testing process once samples are submitted to the lab
What does this look like in real life?
If you buy your kit in a retail store, you’ll most likely:
- Pay the store for the kit
- Pay a fee to the lab once you’re ready to test and submit samples for analysis
If you buy your kit online, you’ll most likely:
- Pay a single fee that combines the kit and lab fee together
- There may be an additional fee for shipping your kit
What Changes the Costs of DNA Tests?
How results are going to be used: With a paternity test, for example, the cost will be higher for a legal test with court-admissible results than it is for an at-home test.
What is included in the test: Generally, the more results you receive, the higher the cost. For example, if you do a DNA test for ancestry, but that test also includes information about fitness, food sensitivities, and more, you’re probably going to pay more for it than you would for a straight ancestry-only test.
The company’s business model: If you do a DNA test for ancestry with a company that also sells separate monthly subscription services (where you get access to public databases or can get “matched” with other possible relatives, for example), then you’re going to pay less for that test than you would if you bought an ancestry test from a company that keeps all data private. Why? Because the company that sells subscription services makes most of its income with those services and not by selling individual tests.
Where you test: If you order a skin-care DNA test through a dermatologist or aesthetician, chances are good it’s going to cost a lot more (sometimes hundreds more!) than it would if you buy the test kit at a store or order it directly from the lab. The reason is, that “middleman” doctor or beauty professional needs to get paid their cut, which can add substantially to the price of the test.
How Much Does a DNA Paternity Test Cost?
A paternity test done at an accredited lab can cost anywhere from $89 to $200 when using an at-home kit purchased from a retailer. The price of the kit in stores generally ranges from $14.99 to $24.99. If the paternity test is a legal one for court-admissible results, then the price bumps up to from $300 to $500, because you pay a per-person fee to the DNA collector who will be supervising the test. The price of the kit is included in the cost of a legal paternity test.
How Much Does a DNA Test Cost at the Pharmacy or Other Store?
The cost for a paternity-test kit is approximately $24.99, while the price of other types of kits such as an ancestry test can cost $25 to 30. Keep in mind that this is only what you pay to the store for your kit. You’ll need to pay an additional fee to the lab for the actual testing process.
How Much Does a Prenatal DNA Test Cost?
Non-invasive prenatal DNA paternity tests are relatively new to the market as compared to postnatal ones. A prenatal test is a safe option for a woman who wants to determine the paternity of a child, but doesn’t want to wait till after the baby is born. The cost for this type of test ranges from $800 to $2,000. Some companies will offer payment plans to help make the price more manageable. Beware of prenatal DNA tests that are on the lower end of this range—they may not be performed at accredited laboratories.
How Much Does It Cost to Take a DNA Test for Ancestry?
There are a lot of companies out there right now offering DNA tests for ancestry, and the cost varies just about as much as what each tests offers. The cost of an ancestry test ranges from $39 for a raw-data DNA upload to a website (no kit required) to $199 for comprehensive ancestry tests as well as tests that also offer health information. A quick online search can help you research different companies’ specific costs.
Why Should You Choose HomeDNA IDENTIGENE?
HomeDNA IDENTIGENE has been a leader in high-quality affordable DNA paternity testing since 1993 and is the most popular choice offered at retail stores from coast to coast, including CVS, Rite Aid, Walgreens, and Walmart. With a test this important, it just makes good sense to go with the best.
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