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dna testing
Most of us never stop being curious about the world we live in and how we figure into an ever-evolving society.
Although there are plenty of resources that provide answers to many of our questions, our options are limited when it comes to finding out more about ourselves and our ancestors.
Thankfully, genomics and biotechnology companies like 23andMe can help curious family members discover the individuals who make up our lineage.
But results aren't always satisfying.
Curious to hear from strangers who saw their DNA results from these genetic testing services, Redditor stephanieslotus asked:
"What is your horror story from DNA tests like 23andMe?"
The Imposter
"One of my cousins was not really my cousin. My cousin died in vietnam and this guy that was in his platoon or whatever took his identity."
"Edit: This happened years ago and the cousin is much older than me. After some clarification from older relatives, it was my cousin that disappeared and took someone's identity. He was then located by a dna test his kids took and was reunited with our family. Lucky us."
– Monkeyswine
Panic Attack
"My parents and I all did dna tests and I manage their profiles- theirs were done before mine was available. They each got a panicked message from a woman on the other side of the world who had matched as their daughter. She was distraught, thinking her parents had lied to her for her entire life."
"When I logged in to my account, it showed that I had no dna matches with my parents which I knew to be wrong, plus the fact my mum was a young child when this woman was born made it clear the company had swapped our results. Customer service just said ‘oh well’ and offered a new test. My family found it funny but that poor woman who had spent several days freaking out thinking her life was a lie before I got her messages and responded."
– Lennyotter
Grandpa's New Life
"My grandfather did not die when my dad was 4 like we always thought. Instead, he faked his death, walked 1500km to the other end of the country, married and had 7 more children."
"All the while leaving my grandmother to bring up the 6 children he had with her and his 2 children from an earlier marriage. Worst part was that he used the same names for the second batch of kids as his first lot."
– theloneliestdonkey
Unfavorable Legacy
"Had something similar. My grandfather was always told that his grandfather died in the war. DNA matched me with some distant cousins who all descended from a man with the same date of birth, job, and birthplace but a different surname."
"After years of digging, it turns out he had five wives - divorcing none of them. He had about three sons called John from different marriages, a couple of Williams, a couple of Mary's."
"He died in 1949, and I actually managed to get in touch with who I believe is the only person alive to have met him. I got a very sharp response telling me how awful he was and to never mention his name again. Must have been quite the man to leave an impression that strong for over half a century..."
– pickindim_kmet
Starting Over
"A former (retired) co-worker had a similar story. He discovered a whole batch of half-siblings in Eastern Europe. His father had been married and 'went off to fight' in WWII and instead immigrated to Canada and started over. The first family just figured he didn't survive."
– FixerFiddler
More Skeletons Uncovered
"My mom's generation has been really big into tracing our family tree. Turns out grandpa had two families (that we know of) that lived down the street from each other. If that wasn't enough to discourage my family from uncovering skeletons, a few years later one of my cousins took a 23 & me test to find out that our maternal grandfather is also her dad :/"
"Edit: for those asking, the cousin in question is the daughter of my mother's sister... So we're thinking some downright unholy things went on. Unclear as my grandfather and aunt are both dead now"
– Wonderful-Image669
The Notorious Fertility Specialist
"not me but my coworker found out his bio dad was not who he thought he was. turns out he is one of the many many children of fertility doctor Donald Cline (there’s a Netflix doc about him if you’ve never heard about him)"
– PotatoPuzzled2782
The Real Dad
"About three years ago, I took a 23andMe test because I always had suspected (or maybe hoped) that my sister’s dad was also my dad—he was in my life from the beginning because my 'bio' dad was a piece of work."
"Well he isn’t my father, and neither is the man who I grew up believing was my dad. My sister in law did some digging and found my real biological father. He’s the one who reached out; did a dna test, wanted to meet me and my children and introduce me to my siblings."
"For a while I held off because it was such a shock and I felt like it was moving really quickly. 4 months after we had first started talking, we met and I was welcome with open arms by EVERYONE. And even though it was still a little weird and I was super nervous, I am glad I took the chance to meet him."
"He died from covid complications just 8 months after we found out he was my real dad."
– endedjustaslovers
Unanswered Questions
"Grew up pretty normal for the most part, divorced parents but happy life. Wanted to know how my ancestry since I don’t know past my paternal great grandmothers maiden name. Got the results this past Christmas Eve."
"Found a half sister (along with 2 other half siblings) that is too old to be my dads (he’d have been a literal child) and put 2 and 2 together and it turns out my dad is not my father. Can’t ask my mom, she’s dead. My bio father is dead and no one knows anything and the people I have told (no one on my dad’s side, too scared to break that news) are shocked. I know nothing about this man but his name and his mom’s name, who is also gone, I believe."
"I just find out this big ol bombshell so suddenly and then hit a dead end just as quickly. It was an interesting and juicy Christmas for sure."
"I’m 55% Swiss though which is random as hell!"
– Whythen
The Truth About Dad's Doctor
"Found out (doing the Ancestry DNA) that my paternal grandmother cheated on her husband with her (also married) family doctor. My dad has brothers and a sister that he never knew about. Dad says that the doctor must have known."
"He looks EXACTLY like his brothers, and the Doc use to always call him 'son' during his appointments. His dad (that raised him) also must have known, cause he treated him like crap, and made backhanded comments that, knowing what we know now, tell us he knew. Or suspected at the very least."
– Kristen242008
Meet Your Sister
"My kid took the test, and 8 years later, introduced me to a half-sister I never knew I had. My father had remarried and had a son I knew about, but this younger sister took us both by surprise. And the father in all this has passed on, so... I got a sister now!"
– Snoringdragon
A Secret Revealed
"Someone in my grandparent’s generation gave up a baby for adoption 60 years ago and our family still doesn’t know/won’t admit who it was. She only joined 23&Me because her daughters encouraged her to find out more about her birth family for health reasons. We now have family members who won’t take the test."
– threadbarefemur
An American Horror Story
"Well, it's not my horror story. But ... police arrested the guy who murdered my mother--decades ago--because someone in the killer's family used one of those tests.
"The submitted DNA allowed them to get a match on a grandparent... and a couple of years later, when they subpoena'd his DNA to corroborate their other police-work, he confessed."
"It took 40 years, but I imagine this is a hell of a horror story for him. He wasn't ever a suspect before the DNA match."
– jait
A Plan Backfires
"My cousin trying to scam the government claiming minuscule percentage Native American submitted a sample. What did happen was four children he fathered with four women other than current wives found him."
– Swarley_S
Family Deception
"Found out my Dad isn’t my biological father. My Dad’s sister gave me a DNA test for the holidays. I ended up taking it and discovered I wasn’t related to my aunt, aka not related to my Dad. But I have 10+ half-siblings with whoever my sperm donor dad is. They gaslit me for months saying the results were inaccurate, called me a liar to my sister, all this garbage. Then finally admitted it was true after 6+ months of lying. We now have a terrible relationship."
– mybabylasko
While 23andMe is designed to help customers discover their origins as well as learn about genetic health risks passed down from generations, it's like opening Pandora's Box.
As many of these Redditors have found out since taking the DNA test, some things are better left undiscovered.
One of the positives is that ancestry kits like 23andMe can offer insight into possibiliies of you acquiring certain physical and sensory traits.
But know that it can be more costly than other similar services, reports don't always yield conclusive health risk variants, and you may have a morally questionable relative.