TEL AVIV, Israel and LEHI, Utah, November 7, 2016 — MyHeritage, the leading international destination for discovering, preserving and sharing family history, announced today the launch of MyHeritage DNA,
its global integrated genetic testing service. The move represents a
major turning point for the DNA industry, as MyHeritage DNA debuts an
international mass-market home-testing kit that is simple, affordable
and will offer some of the best ethnicity reports in the world.
With
85 million users worldwide, 2.1 billion family tree profiles, 7 billion
historical records and availability in 42 languages, MyHeritage’s new
DNA service further strengthens its position as a global leader in
family history.
DNA
is the hereditary material in the cells of the human body and it
carries within it a unique genetic record. The MyHeritage DNA kit
enables users to test their DNA to reveal valuable information about
their family history and ethnic origins. The kit consists of a simple
cheek swab and takes only a minute to complete, with no need for blood
or saliva. The sample is then mailed to MyHeritage DNA’s lab for
analysis and the user is invited to view the results on the MyHeritage
website. In its initial version, MyHeritage DNA provides two main
features: detailed ethnicity reports that map the user’s ethnic and
geographic origins, and DNA Matches for finding relatives. Additional
features and capabilities are planned for the future.
MyHeritage
DNA results include fascinating ethnicity reports, showing the
percentage of the user's DNA that come from different populations around
the world. The initial reports currently include 25 ethnicities, but
this will improve dramatically thanks to MyHeritage’s unique Founder
Population project unveiled today —
the largest of its kind ever conducted. More than 5000 participants
have been handpicked for this project by MyHeritage from its 85 million
members, by virtue of their family trees exemplifying consistent
ancestry from the same region or ethnicity for many generations. In the
next few months, the project will be completed, resulting in a rich DNA
data set of more than 100 ethnicities that will enable MyHeritage to
show users their ancestral roots with far greater resolution than other
services. To this end, the company has been sending its DNA kits to
project participants far and wide, from Uzbekistan to Fiji, from
Greenland to South Africa, and every corner of the globe. Standard
ethnicity reports are currently available, with the expert reports to be
released at no additional cost to users following the completion of the
Founder Population project.
DNA
test results complement MyHeritage’s core offerings, including family
trees and historical records — the tools traditionally used by family
history enthusiasts. DNA can be used to prove or disprove a documented
family tree connection, or answer the question of whether two people
sharing the same rare surname are actually related. DNA is also
indispensable for overcoming seemingly insurmountable obstacles in
traditional research, as in the case of adoptees searching for their
biological family without access to their adoption records. On the other
hand, when DNA locates a match between two people who have the same
ancestor or ancestors, family trees and historical records are often
essential for piecing together the exact relationship path between them.
Thanks to its expertise in family trees and its vibrant community, MyHeritage provides its DNA customers with features not offered by most competing services including 23andMe, such as viewing family trees of the majority of their DNA Matches to pinpoint the connection path, and automatically identifying which surnames and geographical locations they have in common. DNA can be a fascinating introduction to the world of family history, and customers who embark on this journey by taking a DNA test can easily use MyHeritage's tools to further explore what made them what they are.
Thanks to its expertise in family trees and its vibrant community, MyHeritage provides its DNA customers with features not offered by most competing services including 23andMe, such as viewing family trees of the majority of their DNA Matches to pinpoint the connection path, and automatically identifying which surnames and geographical locations they have in common. DNA can be a fascinating introduction to the world of family history, and customers who embark on this journey by taking a DNA test can easily use MyHeritage's tools to further explore what made them what they are.
“DNA
testing is the future of family history,” said MyHeritage Founder and
CEO Gilad Japhet. “We see DNA as a natural evolution of our business and
look forward to harnessing it to reunite families, engage in new pro
bono projects, and enrich the lives of millions of users.”
MyHeritage
DNA kits are available at the affordable introductory price of $79 +
shipping (prices vary by location). To order, visit the MyHeritage DNA website.
MyHeritage has already amassed a significant number of DNA kits
uploaded by its users from other DNA services, providing valuable
matches on MyHeritage from day one. With the launch of MyHeritage DNA,
the company will cease to offer DNA kits of other vendors. Users who
have already tested their DNA on other services are welcome for a
limited time to upload their DNA data to MyHeritage at no cost to
benefit from free DNA Matches.
About MyHeritage
MyHeritage
is the leading global destination for discovering, preserving and
sharing family history. As technology thought leaders, MyHeritage is
transforming family history into an activity that’s accessible and
instantly rewarding. Its global user community enjoys access to a
massive library of historical records, the most internationally diverse
collection of family trees and groundbreaking search and matching
technologies. An extension of the core MyHeritage brand, MyHeritage DNA
offers technologically-advanced, affordable DNA tests that reveal users’
ethnic origins and previously unknown relatives. Trusted by millions of
families, MyHeritage provides an easy way to share family stories, past and present, and treasure them for generations to come. MyHeritage and MyHeritage DNA are available in 42 languages. www.myheritage.com
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