1) Autosomal DNA testing has come way down in price, and we really need people outside of the US to get this testing done. Autosomal DNA tests ALL the genealogically important parts of your genome. 23andMe has tested over 100,000 people in just 3 or 4 years, and now that FTDNA has started offering it... price wars! 23andMe $99 and $9/month subscription for a year; FTDNA $199 and no subscription. Latter is a sale price through end of month. They both use the same technology, so tests are compatible. 23andMe also gives you your Y (paternal) and mitochondrial (maternal) haplogroups which are important.
2) Both the lead companies have excellent forums (fora?) where helpful individuals will aid you in whatever questions you have. You can freely register with them and view what people have to say on the forums. I did this for a month while I was making my decision.
3) The genealogical important bits that are identified are only a tiny part of the complete human genome. 23andMe also does a health analysis based on real, technically proven science, for people who are eager to learn how to "enhance their lifestyles" (sorry, I'm cringing now) and perhaps increase their lifetimes. They have also done som fairly important work in Parkinson's. Your data is completely private.
4) Good for you! The more people that do this, the better it will be for all of us doing genealogy. There are also "outside" projects that you can choose to share your data with that include such areas as Viking ancestry, Roma Ancestry, and a large number of others. My results have strongly indicated that my staunchly Northern European ancestry as shown by a 350-400 year paper trail is 94.5% correct... but 5.5% may well be from an early Roma influence. How exciting!
5) It's late her so I am sure I've left out some possibilities. I hope other DNA proponents will help me in answering any concerns.
Thanks,
Nick
Poll