PromicsEdge Ancestry FAQ
The Ancestry Reports estimate a client's ancestral origins from their DNA, covering both global ancestry and maternal (mitochondrial) lineage. This FAQ answers common questions about purchasing ancestry, DNA kit requirements, lineage coverage, methodology, and accuracy.
Tip: Have your client ask AI Hyperintelligence directly if something in their results isn’t clear — for example, why their mtDNA haplogroup points to a different region than their global ancestry breakdown. It pulls the explanation straight from their own data.
How can I purchase the ancestry test for my clients?
When adding a new client, select the Ultimate Bundle, which includes ancestry.
You can also unlock ancestry after adding a client: open their profile overview and navigate to the Report Overview page, where you can select the Ancestry filter
Why am I being prompted to purchase a DNA kit?
An accurate Ancestry Report requires high-quality, complete data. We accept third-party files that meet our data requirements, but many files — including SelfDecode kits from 4+ years ago — lack the haplotype and coverage depth needed for ancestry analysis.
If you're unsure whether a client's file is eligible, contact support and we can assess it for you.
Do you test paternal lineage?
Currently, we provide maternal lineage (mitochondrial DNA) as part of the ancestry analysis. Paternal lineage (Y-DNA) is not yet included, but we are actively working to expand these offerings.
What's the difference between global ancestry and mitochondrial ancestry?
Global ancestry reflects a client's recent ancestral makeup, typically going back 10–15 generations across both maternal and paternal lines, with percentage breakdowns tied to global populations.
Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is passed down exclusively through the maternal line and can trace maternal ancestry back thousands of years. Even if a client's global ancestry shows 100% European, their mtDNA may indicate a maternal line from a different region.
Encourage clients to click the haplotype codes and the question mark icon in their report for a deeper dive into both types of analysis.
How do you determine ancestry results?
Our ancestry algorithm compares a client's DNA to 32 curated reference populations worldwide. Individuals typically share more genetic similarity with people from their ancestral region, so we estimate ancestral origins based on genetic proximity to each reference group.
How accurate is the Ancestry Report?
Based on internal benchmarking, SelfDecode's ancestry algorithm consistently outperforms current industry leaders such as 23andMe, Ancestry.com, and MyHeritage. We use advanced imputation methods and a high-resolution comparison model for accurate population-level ancestry.
Why do I need to complete the ancestry questionnaire?
The ancestry questionnaire improves the accuracy of our ancestry and polygenic risk score (PRS) models. When we sequence DNA, we can't always tell which allele came from which parent — especially in admixed individuals.
If a client has mixed ancestry, completing the questionnaire improves the algorithm's ability to assign DNA segments to maternal and paternal chromosomes. This doesn't alter the raw results, but it refines interpretation and improves downstream PRS accuracy.
Even if a client believes they know their ancestry, our models often uncover lesser-known contributions from ancestral lines going back hundreds of years. It's worth completing for better insights and clinical guidance.