Review: Is Genomelink accurate? Here are facts & data
User data shows Genomelink is accurate for the majority of traits it provides. However, DNA analysis still has some limitations. Find out more in this review.
Updated: August 12, 2022
Genomelink users can rate for accuracy
At Genomelink, data is everything.
That’s why we collect data on whether Genomelink users think their traits results are accurate or not. In other words, users can rate whether the scientific studies we’ve collected and incorporated into our algorithms deliver accurate or inaccurate results.
Well, the Genomelink data team is proud to announce that the data shows a majority of our users believe nearly three-quarters of our 300 traits are accurate (74.3%).
Additionally, we use all of the negative feedback (where users have labeled a trait “inaccurate”) to improve the accuracy of our results. This may mean tweaking our algorithm, incorporating newer scientific studies, or doing independent research to confirm findings.
Genomelink’s unique scientific reliability score
To help people understand where their traits are coming from, we introduced the unique Scientific Reliability Score (SRS). The SRS is defined by the quality of scientific research our team uses to develop our algorithm.
You may be wondering how we calculate a 4-star rating for a piece of scientific research. It’s actually simple:
- Sample size: If the research was conducted using a sample size of 10,000 or greater, it receives a score of +1.
- Statistical significance: If the research achieves a certain threshold of statistical significance (determined by our science team), it receives a score of +1.
- Replication: If the research replicated the same results with another independent sample data set, it receives a score of +1.
- Meta-analysis: If the research is a “meta-analysis” (meaning it examines data from a broad set of other independent studies), it receives a score of +1.
So, if you find a trait that seems less accurate for you, it could be because it’s based on a less reliable scientific study or series of studies. Of course, that doesn’t mean those studies are themselves inaccurate. All it means is we may need more follow-up studies in the future.
Genomelink Fact Check
Here’s a quick overview of the traits we have analyzed for accuracy. Out of 300 traits (as of August 2022):
- Over 74% (223) of Genomelink’s 300 traits were voted accurate by a majority of Genomelink users.
- The 5 least accurate traits (according to Genomelink users) are acne vulgaris, alcohol drinking behavior, peach allergy, word reading ability, and views on environmentalism.
- For 144 traits, a large majority of users (>60%) find the results accurate.
- For 32 traits, a majority of users (>50%) could not determine if the results were either accurate or inaccurate.
Most people find over 74% of traits are accurate to their real-life results
The Feedback feature asks users to rate the accuracy of genetic traits on a scale of Positive to Negative. The list below shows how much proportion of our users think the results are accurate (Positive) for each trait, compared to the users who did not match their genetic trait analysis (Negative).
A massive number of the traits we provide are certified — by users — to be an accurate representation of their traits, determined by the genetic variants they carry.
However, we have also identified several traits that do not appear to accurately represent the traits users actually show. There can be several reasons for this.
Why are my Genomelink results inaccurate?
There are several reasons that a result may be inaccurate. Some inaccuracies occur in the development and understanding of genetic science and how it translates to actual traits. For instance:
- Correlation — not causation: Studies that link a genetic variant to a particular trait only find correlations, but do not always explain the causation. These traits appear in the “More Inaccurate” category because most users do not find the correlations helpful or predictive. We are always working to incorporate new studies to make these predictions better.
- Missing markers: Your raw DNA data might be missing some genetic markers. We curate thousands of scientific journal articles to build our database. Sometimes, your DNA data file may not cover all of the genetic markers we hope to use for each trait. Some traits rely on several different genetic markers to make an accurate prediction. Different genetic testing companies test different markers, so we cannot promise that all traits we offer can be covered in their full accuracy.
- Your ethnicity matters: We try to clarify which ethnicity each of our reference studies uses in our Detail page view, but we often cannot find studies for all ethnicity types. While many traits translate across ethnicities, other traits do not. While more research will iron this flaw out, it sometimes can cause inaccurate results.
The second reason that your results could be inaccurate is because of the interaction between your genes and the environment. There is an entire field of science called epigenetics that studies these interactions. In effect, you and your environment create a unique expression of your DNA. This leads to some scenarios that can introduce inaccuracy:
- You are a data point, not a statistical trend. Though you may fall outside of the norm, the overall trend includes your atypical data. For many of our most accurate traits, some users still fall outside the norm. As we get more information on how DNA interacts with the environment, these traits may become even more accurate.
- Your actual characteristics are based on the combination of both genetic and environmental factors. Even if you have specific genetic characteristics, your environment may have much more significant effects on shaping who you are today. Some traits can completely change based on the environment alone.
One-time DNA Report → Continuous DNA Discovery
At Genomelink, we love genomics. Which is why we always strive to communicate genomics science with the highest possible transparency. It’s also why we make this data available to the public to encourage genomic exploration and understanding — even though not every result will be accurate. We’re working hard to find more exciting traits, while always increasing the accuracy of our results.
We’re here to help provide you with continuous discovery — rather than give you a one-time DNA report. As long as you subscribe (even if you never pay for a single report), you will receive continual updates on traits and the latest genomics science.
If you are interested in trying Genomelink for yourself, you can now get over 100 traits completely for FREE (no credit card required), along with a free global ancestry summary, unlockable bonuses, and much more. And all you need to get started is an existing DNA test from Ancestry, 23andMe, or MyHeritage.
Simply click this link to begin your DNA journey with Genomelink right now.
