This weekend I received notification that my DNA results were ready on Ancestry.

When I visited the DNA page there was an option to pay a little bit extra to see how my DNA plays a role in some appearance and sensory traits.

I decided to opt in and get the trait information. I was curious to see what traits they would give and also what my DNA said those traits would be.

Tonight I will share a few of those traits with you.

The most interesting trait for me was Iris Patterns. Since I work in the eye care field this one really caught my eye. There were results for eye color, but Iris Patterns was definitely more interesting.

I have an interesting looking iris with furrows, crypts and rings. These features are more noticeable on people with light colored eyes, but if you look closely at my eyes you will see some interesting patterns.

There is some interesting science behind this trait.

Some of the other Personal Traits in the package are earlobe type, hair color, hair thickness, hair type and the next one that I will show here.

My DNA suggests that I (or my close male relatives) have a low chance of hair loss. This is good news for me as I still have a nice full head hair and should keep it. Now as to those close male relatives? Well, those of you who know my brothers can tell whether they got the same mix of hair genes I did from my parents.

There are also a few sensory traits and they got this one right. I definitely dislike the taste of cilantro. This is actually something that is in your genes. There are two genetic markers that play a role as to whether you like the taste of cilantro or not.

This one is interesting and is definitely something that you have or don’t have. Do you have smelly urine after you eat asparagus? Actually, we all do. When asparagus is digested it breaks down into compounds that include sulfur. This is the same for all of us. What is really the difference is whether we smell it or not. It is all in the nose, and yes there is a gene for that.

Other sensory traits that are covered are sensitivity to sweet and savory foods.

I look forward to seeing what traits they might add in the future.

Steven