A 25-year-old woman from California, Shirley Huang, received a surprising revelation after taking a $100 DNA test from 23andMe. Born and raised in Hawaii, Huang’s parents had immigrated from China. Eager to learn more about her lineage, she decided to take the test and shared her results in a TikTok video that quickly went viral, amassing over two million views.
Huang discovered that she is 100 percent Chinese, with multiple generations of her family originating solely from the Guangdong province. This revelation was unexpected for Huang, who had anticipated a mixed Asian heritage due to China’s geographical proximity to other countries. “I remember laughing in surprise at being completely Chinese,” she told Newsweek. “I didn’t know it was possible to be 100 percent anything on a DNA test.”
Huang’s curiosity about her ancestry stemmed from her parents’ limited knowledge of their family history. Both her grandfathers had passed away before she was born, leaving her with little information about her lineage. Additionally, her father had recently been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and diabetes, prompting her to take the DNA+Health test to see if she carried any associated genes. Fortunately, the test results showed that she did not possess the gene for either chronic illness.
“I’m really glad I took the test because it gave me valuable information about my ancestry, health, and traits that I wouldn’t have known otherwise,” Huang said. The popularity of consumer genetic testing has surged in recent years, with companies like 23andMe and AncestryDNA leading the market. In 2021, Statista predicted that the market would grow to nearly $1.2 billion by 2028.
Huang’s TikTok video generated a significant response, with many users sharing their own DNA test stories. One user humorously recounted how their aunt’s test results showed 98 percent Irish and 2 percent Scandinavian, leading her to proudly announce their Scandinavian heritage. Another user shared that their husband, who was born and raised in Japan, received results showing he was 100 percent Japanese, which came as no surprise to them.
Some TikTokers joked about the cost of the test, suggesting that children of immigrants could save money by simply asking their parents about their heritage. “If you’re children of immigrants, 23andMe is just a quick waste of $100,” one viewer quipped. Another user echoed this sentiment, saying, “BRO SAME, FIRST THING MY PARENTS SAID WAS ‘I COULD’VE TOLD YOU THAT FOR FREE’.”
Despite some negative comments, Huang found humor in the situation and didn’t let the criticism affect her. “I know it’s not true, and arguing with people in the comments is pointless,” she said. She emphasized that everyone is unique and beautiful, regardless of whether they are of one race or mixed race. “If you’re curious about your ancestry or want to connect with relatives, doing a DNA test is totally worth it,” she added.
Huang’s experience highlights the growing interest in genetic testing and the insights it can provide. While some may find the results surprising or even humorous, the information gained from these tests can be valuable for understanding one’s ancestry, health, and traits. As the market for consumer genetic testing continues to expand, more people are likely to explore their heritage and uncover fascinating details about their family history.
Source: Newsweek
