Computer Program Reveals Anyone's Ancestry

Imagine being adopted, with no understanding of your cultural or genetic background. You don’t know your heritage or what diseases you are genetically predisposed to. Most of us have some idea about the roots of our family tree, but little understanding of what those lower branches mean in terms of our predisposition to a host of diseases and ailments.

Now, a group of computer scientists, mathematicians, and biologists from around the world have developed a computer algorithm that can quickly trace an individual’s genetic ancestry with only a small sample of their DNA. In fact, the program can trace the genetic ancestry of thousands of individuals in minutes, without any prior knowledge of their background.

This new combination of technologies seems best suited for adoptees and others who have no knowledge at all of their ethnic origins. You can read more in an article by Gabrielle DeMarco of the Rensselaer Polytechnic University at http://www.livescience.com/health/080404-bts-drineas.html.

My thanks to Sherrie McMillan for telling me about the article.

Comments

[Sandy Coulter]

I'm wondering where/when this new technology will be available for someone to use. The article did not address this. I know there are a number of companies that do DNA analysis, but also wonder which ones are the best for such studies.

[charlene sokal]

Can anyone volunteer as a subject, if this new test is not available from a company? This would be extremely valuable for many of us.

[Lynn]

I would be very cautious about participation in anything like this. If insurance companies get the info,couldn't lots of people be denied coverage due to "pre existing conditions?" For all the good something like this could do - it might be equal or worse in the damage it could do. Once something gets in a database - it's available to be hacked, as we've seen with all the breaches of database security.

[JOSEPH F.FURRER]

i WISH TO FIND OUT IF I AM RELATED TO JESSE JAMES THE OUTLAW MY MOTHERS SIDE SAYS SAYS THWT I AM THERE NAME WAS CURTIS HER MOTHER WAS DYER I WILL SUBMITT DNA AND I NEED TO KNOW HOW TO GO ABOUT THIS.

[Timothy Eastman]

Insurance companies can only deny pre-existing conditions if they have already been diagnosed by a licensed medical doctor. DNA can only reveal possible susceptability to disease; but being pre-disposed does NOT mean you will suffer from it ... unless you truly believe you will. (Harvard Medical now has a class devoted to illnesses being caused by the mind - such as negative thinking.)
If your DNA says that you have the gene for cancer, etc, then no insurance company (even if you tell them yourself) can deny you coverage. As I said, it is only pre-existing if it has already been diagnosed by LICENSED doctor. Voodoo, witch, homeopathic and other quack "doctors" do NOT count.
Your DNA being in the public realm will not cause you any undue harm. Within 10 to 15 years, everyone will be required to have their DNA on record with the government. Not only will this quickly solve crimes where DNA evidence is present, but it will also quickly identify remains of individuals who may not identifyable any other way. DNA is no more risky in the hands of the government than fingerprints. Do not proscribe to fear-mongers.

[kay andrews]

Another point to consider...do you really want to know what a dire fate might be in your future? If there is a cure or treatment, that might be OK to know. But what if you show a predisposition to something like Huntingdon's disease, ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) or Alzheimer's. Do you really want that knowledge hanging over your head? Could you live a normal life, knowing that you might possibly endure a terrible end?

Think hard and long about what you really want to know.

[Avanell]

Where do you get the DNA test done and where do you send it then? Sounds great but the article is not complete.

[Bobbi]

To Kay,

Wouldn't it be a great idea to know about this when you are young and healthy, in your highest earning years?

Then you could donate generously to the groups that are researching to find a cure for your prospective disease/s.