[RASEY-DNA] FTDNA new STR tests: Panel 5, Markers 68-111

[Diana Gale Matthiesen]

Hello List,

Yesterday, FTDNA announced a new set of STR tests:  Panel 5, Markers
68-111.

The set includes the former 29 Advanced tests, which could be used to
"Max Out" your markers at 96, plus 15 new markers, for a new "Max-Out"
of 111 markers.  Panel 5 now becomes part of FTDNA's *Standard* STR
markers, so they are going to be available for a much cheaper price
than ordering them individually.

Right now, FTDNA is offering an "Introductory" price to project
members of only $101 on Panel 5 to those who have already tested 67
markers.  They have not said how long the Introductory price will be
available, but if past announcements are any indication, it won't be
for long.  They also haven't said how much higher the "list" price
will be.  I suspect it will partly depend on response to the offering
-- the more tests they run, the more efficient it becomes.

If you have not yet tested 67 markers, you will have to upgrade to 67
markers, first, then order the upgrade to 111.  You don't have to wait
for the results of the 67 markers to return before you can order the
upgrade to 111, you just have to have placed the order.  Because Panel
5 is now part of their standard marker offerings, you order them using
the "Standard Orders" button on your member page, not the "Advanced
Orders" button as in the past.

You can view a list of the markers on this FAQ:
https://www.familytreedna.com/faq/answers/default.aspx?faqid=9#570 

These are the new ones:

DYS 497
DYS 504
DYS 510
DYS 513
DYS 525
DYS 532
DYS 540
DYS 552
DYS 561
DYS 587
DYS 593
DYS 632
DYS 650
DYS 712
DYS 715

Even if you have already taken some or all of the former "Advanced"
markers, to get the 15 new ones, you will have to order the entire
Y-Refine-67-to-111 upgrade.  And, yes, that means all 29 of the former
markers will be retested.  It is just nature of the testing method
that it would be more expensive to test the 15 a la carte than to just
test the whole panel.

Why test more markers?  To find more branching markers, as described
here:
http://dgmweb.net/DNA/General/SignatureMarkers.html 

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Diana