Family Tree DNA Tests are on Sale via Coupon Codes until Mar. 31, 2019

There was a genetic genealogy conference this past weekend. Often at conferences vendor items are sold at sale prices sometimes these sales are extended to those not able to attend. Family Tree DNA has a variety of coupon codes good until March 31, 2019 for discounts on a variety of its DNA tests. These codes do not appear on the Family Tree DNA website. Remember that shipping and taxes are extra which vary depending on where the test is being shipped. Shipping to Michigan was $12.95 (the last we know of) which covers receiving and sending the test.

The new Family Tree DNA test kit box.

Family Tree DNA tests now come in a box suitable for gift wrapping and presentation. Keep in mind the next likely times frames for DNA sales at any of the companies (based on prior years) are DNA Day in April, Mother's Day in May and Father's Day in June.

So which tests are on sale via coupon code? 

Autosomal Test (male or female) Family Finder is now $49, regularly $79 save $30
Use coupon code at checkout:   GGC19FF
This is a great sale price that does not happen often.
The test briefly went down to $39 for the 2019 Black Friday/Cyber Monday weekend (a new lowest price) but we don't know if it will happen again.

Y-DNA Test (male-only, father's direct male line) 
Y37 test is now $119, regularly $169 save $50
Use coupon code at checkout:   GGC19Y37

Y67 test is now $198, regularly $268 save $70
Use coupon code at checkout:   GGC19Y67

Y111 test is now $289, regularly $359 save $70
Use coupon code at checkout:   GGC19Y111

Big Y-700 test is now $449, regularly $649 save $200
Expert Level. Note: formerly the Big Y-500 now the Big Y-700 includes the Y111 test which gets added to your cart as part of buying the Big Y-700.
Use coupon code at checkout:   GGC19BIGY

mtDNA Test (male or female, mother's direct female line)
mtFull Sequence test is now $149, regularly $199 save $50
Use coupon code at checkout:   GGC19MTFULL
 
Now some reminders and caution ...
Please remember, if you already have a DNA test at Family Tree DNA and want to upgrade that test to include another type of DNA test that is on sale (buy an upgrade to your existing test,) simply sign into that particular DNA test kit and then place the order. You will need to do this for each test separately if you plan to upgrade multiple tests.

Family Tree DNA does not require an annual subscription. Each test kit has its own login/password. You can manage your own test or allow (give access) to someone else to do so for you. Inside the test kit is a release form the tested person signs and sends with the samples so the DNA can be tested. There is also an option to indicate Beneficiary Information (who gets access to your DNA after you are gone) in the test kit account settings.

Unlike many of the other DNA/Genealogy testing companies, Family Tree DNA uses swabs to collect the sample not a spit tube. Swab collection makes it easier for elderly family members who often generate less spit to take a test. Family Tree DNA also is one of the few DNA testing companies that stores the DNA samples so upgrades (other test types) can be added later. 

Now the caution so that everyone is aware and informed. At the beginning of this year, it was learned that Family Tree DNA (a private company) had allowed Law Enforcement (sometimes via third-party forensic genealogy company) to submit samples to its private autosomal DNA database. This was apparently done without changing the terms of service which had excluded this and then changing the TOS to allow it without notifying its customers of the change. Customers were initially given no other option than to opt out of matching completely (the point of taking the test) if the tester whose DNA was tested did not agree to allowing law enforcement to match against his/her DNA. Be aware that a person's disagreement may not necessarily be about the use of DNA to solve cases but with the privacy issues and the Fourth Amendment rights of citizens of the United States of America.

Earlier this month, FTDNA finally took a partial step towards righting a wrong. Family Tree DNA customers who take or have taken an autosomal DNA test called Family Finder have the option now to OPT OUT of allowing a test to be seen by those tests submitted by law enforcement or their contracted third-parties that match their tests. (This is an additional, separate option from the overall Opt In to DNA Relative Matching meaning seeing who matches the test.) This new setting step is done when initially purchasing/setting up the test or for existing tests under each test's Account Settings, Privacy & Sharing Options then Matching Preferences and changing the Law Enforcement Matching (LEM) setting to Opt Out by clicking on the left side of the blue slider turning it gray. (So blue means the test allows law enforcement matches to see it and gray means the test does not allow law enforcement matches to see it.) The new setting choice should automatically save.

As an added precaution some have suggested making sure your Family Tree Sharing setting is set to Only Matches can see your tree if you have one in your test kit.

According to FTDNA, these tests submitted by law enforcement or their third-parties do not see anything more than the traditional customer does. Read the revised Terms of Service and Privacy Statement for details which is on the Family Tree DNA website. As part of this change all customer tests from the European Union were automatically Opted Out meaning that they have to physically decide to Opt In to LEM.

Many in the genealogical community believe that every test should have been automatically Opted Out and the physical decision to Opt In should be the standard for all. If the tested person is not aware of this change or is dead, he/she does not have the opportunity/ability to Opt Out from something for various reasons he/she may disagree with.

Some testers are fine with allowing this change but some are not. It is a personal decision ... of the person tested meaning the person whose spit was used. So ethically, if you are administrating a test for someone else you need to talk to and verify the feelings and beliefs of that person regarding this subject and change the LEM setting according to the beliefs of that person whose DNA you tested. If the tested person is deceased and this topic was never discussed meaning you do not know the tested person's belief then you need to Opt Out of LEM for this person's test. You can not assume that the tested person's belief is the same as your own. This is similar to being a medical advocate for another person, you follow that person's wishes not your own when advocating for that person.

So remember there are two settings for matching: 1) for seeing or not seeing any of a test's DNA relative matches (the point of taking the test) and 2) for allowing or not allowing Law Enforcement Matches (LEM) administered tests to see a test as a DNA match.

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
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