Journey Genetic Testing Review Summary
Summary
Journey Genetic Testing is a DNA analysis company for paternity and other relationship tests. Its prices are on par with industry standards and customers review the company very highly.
7 Facts From our Journey Genetic Testing Review
- Location: Beaverton, Oregon, USA
- Services: Home and legal DNA tests, including those for paternity, maternity, siblings, grandparents, and more
- Cost: $109-$139 (home tests) and $249-$299 (legal). More complicated tests have higher costs. Additional costs apply for additional people tested
- How it works: Customers order a DNA test that can be taken at home or at a collection center if used for legal purposes
- Counseling available: Yes, before ordering
- How to order: Customers can order a DNA test on the website or by phone
- Alternative Products: Nebula Genomics offers 30X Whole Genome Sequencing that decodes 100% of your DNA and gives reports on diet and much more!
This review is written with the intent to be as unbiased as possible. However, it represents the opinion of an individual reviewer and is therefore subjective. Furthermore, at Nebula Genomics we seek to educate the public about the benefits of Whole Genome Sequencing. Information about our Whole Genome Sequencing DNA test is therefore incorporated into the review.
October 17, 2023
Table of contents
- 7 Facts From our Journey Genetic Testing Review
- Pros and Cons
- Introduction
- Review of Journey Genetic Testing Services
- Taking a Journey Genetic Testing Test
- Review of Journey Genetic Testing Cost
- Review of Journey Genetic Testing Results
- Review of Journey Genetic Testing Privacy Policy
- Other Journey Genetic Testing Reviews
- Nebula Genomics
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Offers a wide range of DNA testing services for relationships
- Access to a genetic counselor
- Excellent customer reviews
Cons
- N/A
Introduction
Journey Genetic Testing is a direct to consumer DNA testing company founded in the United States in 2011. The main products are paternity and family relationship tests. Its mission is to bring answers to those seeking to know the truth about their family. According to its website, it has served over 34,500 clients.
Its genetic professionals understand these tests’ profound impact on individuals and families to confirm biological relationships. It is committed to delivering DNA test results its clients can trust, using state-of-the-art technology and rigorous testing protocols.
Started as a paternity testing company, Journey Genetic Testing has expanded to include many types of relationship testing, including those for tribal enrollment and immigration. Legal DNA testing that can be used in court for things like child custody cases is available in all 50 States at 3,500+ collection sites. The company’s AABB accredited laboratory analyses the samples and its website claims that this lab handles about 75% of DNA paternity/maternity and relationship tests in the U.S.
In addition to its commitment to quality and service, Journey Genetic Testing strives to make DNA testing accessible to as many people as possible. They offer competitive pricing for their services and provide low-cost options to ensure that everyone can discover their genetic heritage and gain the insights they seek.
Review of Journey Genetic Testing Services
The company focuses on various types of testing for relationships. Most results are available via email 1-2 business days after the lab receives the DNA sample. More complicated tests, such as the aunt/uncle relationship testing may take up to five business days.
Paternity and Maternity
These tests compare a child’s DNA with a potential father or mother with DNA collected from a mouth swab. The company also accepts alternative samples (DNA from items such as toothbrushes, hair with the roots, ear wax, and finger or toenail clippings) if a swab is not available or if the tester wants to be discreet.
Journey Genetic Testing offers both home and legal tests. The home tests are convenient and cost-effective, providing results for personal use only. On the other hand, customers can use legal DNA tests in court. Unlike the home tests, a third party collects the sample to maintain a chain of custody that ensures the results are reliable.
Paternity tests: Journey Genetic Testing uses 24 genetic markers to determine whether an individual is the father of a child. If 23 of the markers match, the report determines that the individual is the father. If less than 23 markers match, the individual is determined not to be father. The company guarantees their tests to be 100% accurate.
If the result is not strong enough, it will expand the comparison to 46 markers.
Maternity tests: This type is less common than paternity ones. The most common reason for these tests may include cases of adoption, IVF, or general confirmation in case of a hospital mix-up.
Twin Zygosity
This test determines whether twins are identical (from the same fertilized egg) or fraternal (from two different eggs and sperm). If identical, the twins will share 100% of their DNA. On the other hand, fraternal twins share the same amount of DNA as any other sibling. In addition to personal interest, twins may want to take this test for purposes of understanding genetic disease risk as identical twins are more likely to share the same genetic disorders.
Grandparent and Avuncular (Aunts/Uncles)
These tests can help establish the biological relationship between grandparents or aunts/uncles and a child. Like the paternity and maternity tests, Journey Genetic Testing offers both a home and legal option. Since grandparents, aunts, and uncles pass a small percentage of their DNA to a child, customers can use these tests to establish relationships, especially when a parent is not available.
Unlike the paternity and maternity tests, these options give a percent chance of the relationship being real ranging from 0-99%.
Sibling and Half-Sibling
These tests can confirm whether individuals share one or both parents, providing clarity about sibling relationships. This option gives a percent chance of the relationship being real ranging from 0-99%.
Prenatal Paternity
Journey Genetic Testing offers three prenatal paternity tests that can determine the father of a baby before birth These are: chorionic villus sampling (CVS), amniocentesis, and non-invasive prenatal paternity test (NIPP). The latter is by far the safest for both mother and baby as it requires only a maternal blood sample.
Other options to consider include:
- Genetic reconstruction
- Mitochondrial DNA
- Y-STR DNA
- Forensic DNA testing
- Tribal enrollment (legal only)
- Immigration (legal only)
Taking a Journey Genetic Testing Test
Customers will follow the same general testing process no matter which test they take. First, they have the option to order a test online or call the company. By calling, customers have the option to speak to a genetic counselor before making their order.
For the home test, each person being compared in the test will collect DNA using the provided cheek swabs. Then, they will ship them back to the company using the prepaid envelope provided. For a legal test, the company will make an appointment to have the specimens collected at a collection site.
The company can ship separate kits to individuals living in different locations.
Results are provided via email, usually within one business day of the lab receiving the samples. The company can send kits to multiple addresses in the United States.
Review of Journey Genetic Testing Cost
As stated on the website, Journey Genetic Testing does not sell cheap tests, but affordable ones inclusive of everything one needs to determine relationships. The prices vary depending on the type of product.
- Paternity: $109 (home) or $185/$249 (legal)
- Maternity: $119 (home) or $219 (legal)
- Twin Zygosity: $109
- Grandparent: $129 (home) or $299 (legal)
- Sibling: $129 (home) or $299 (legal)
- Avuncular: $139 (home) or $299
- Prenatal paternity: $249-$1199
- Genetic reconstruction: $179-$289
- Mitochondrial: $199
- Y chromosome: $159-$337 (home) or $219-$329 (legal)
Additional fees apply if testing more than one child and one relative.
Review of Journey Genetic Testing Results
Journey Genetic Testing provides a comprehensive DNA report that offers genetic evidence for the specific family relationship being tested. The lab uses DNA from cheek swabs or other samples, examining specific regions of chromosomes known as “loci.” If the DNA of the alleged parent matches that of the child to a certain degree, the report concludes that the alleged parent cannot be excluded as the biological parent. If not, the alleged parent is excluded.
The report also includes a combined relationship index, which calculates the “probability of paternity/relationship,” presented as a percentage.
Review of Journey Genetic Testing Privacy Policy
Journey Genetic Testing standards are noted in its terms of service. It strictly limits the collection of personal information to only what is necessary for conducting DNA paternity and relationship tests, ensuring that this data is not used for any unrelated purposes.
Then, the company deletes personal information and test results from their system within a month after the results have been delivered electronically.
Journey Genetic Testing does not sell or voluntarily share DNA profiles with private or government databases for research or other uses. This includes not providing any information from the DNA tests that could be used by companies offering “ancestry” testing services, which could potentially lead to the identification of individuals.
Other Journey Genetic Testing Reviews
Journey Genetic Testing has received many positive reviews.
On DNA Testing Choice, Journey Genetic Testing is ranked first for Sibling Testing and has a perfect rating of 5 out of 5 stars based on the editor’s review. There are 31 customer reviews on this site, most of which are positive. Customers praised the company for its accuracy, clarity of results, customer service, and value for money.
There are a few negative reviews in which customers were unsatisfied with the customer service or inability of the company to run certain samples. Journey Genetic Testing responded to the complaint in each of these instances.
Nebula Genomics
Journey Genetic Testing is a DNA testing company that offers paternity, maternity, sibling, grandparent, avuncular, and other relationship DNA tests. Many customers take such tests to answer specific questions, for either peace of mind or legal purposes.
If you fall into this category, why not learn even more about your genetics? Nebula Genomics provides whole-genome sequencing, a comprehensive method that allows for the analysis of the entire genome. This service can provide insights into a wide range of genetic traits and predispositions.
With 30x Whole-Genome Sequencing, Nebula sequences 100% of your DNA to get to the root cause of every biological inclination. The test is incredibly accurate and includes other additions, including ancestry reporting and genome exploration tools. Regularly updated reports ensure that you will not miss the latest genetic research.
Nebula is not a diagnostic test, but the results are of the highest quality and can be used in consultation with health care professionals.
For only $299 or less, customers will get access to their entire genome, allowing them to continue to ask more questions as more research is conducted.
| Journey Genetic Testing | Nebula Genomics | |
| Testing method | Buccal swab | Saliva samples |
| Purpose and Focus | Relationship testing, including paternity, maternity, sibling, etc. | Whole-genome sequencing for health, trait, and ancestry information |
| Reports | A straightforward report indicating the likelihood of the tested relationship | A comprehensive report on the entire genome with exploration tools and regularly updated reports |
| Counseling | Yes, before ordering | No, but physicians and genetic counselors can use data |
| Cost | $109-$1199 | $0, $99, $299 |
Did you like our Journey Genetic Testing review? You can read more reviews on our blog and check out our complete guide to the best DNA test kit and other home tests.
Other companies
You may also be interested in Taking a DNA test while pregnant or, if you’re looking for other paternity tests, you should read these other reviews:
- Accu-Metrics (relationship tests, forensics, animal services, and more)
- AlphaBiolabs (paternity, health, and home drug & alcohol test kits)
- HomeDNA (at-home paternity testing)
- DNA Diagnostics Center (Paternity, relationship, lifestyle testing, etc.)
- DNA Services Unlimted (legal paternity tests)
- EasyDNA (paternity, ancestry, genetic health, and forensics)
- GenebyGene (diagnostic tests, pharmacogenetics, forensic genealogy, relationship DNA testing, and more)
- Genovate (relationship, health, fitness, and ancestry tests)
- Genetrack Biolabs (legal relationship tests)
- Prenatal Genetics Laboratory (noninvasive paternity and gender tests)
