From DNA to Family Tree
Bridging the Gap with Modern Science using Ancestry DNA tests
According to the National Archives website, there are over 6,000 genealogy websites. These sites have over 100 million members, each seeking to discover their past. The MIT Technology review reported in 2019 that 26 million people have taken at-home ancestry DNA tests.
So, what is the purpose of these genealogy websites? Well, if you’ve ever been curious about your family tree, in short, it is a way of compiling that information and tracing your roots.
Where the DNA testing comes in, is that you’re able to find out your origins in a more scientific way. Maybe you’re curious about where in the world you come from from a genetic perspective. Do you have genetic links to the Vikings for example? There are a multitude of reasons why you may wish to take one, which I’ll discuss further on in the article.
How does the DNA testing work?
I ordered one of the kits for my mum for her birthday. You may be thinking — that’s a really weird gift to give someone, especially your mum. Why not buy her flowers?
Sometimes you may have gaps in your knowledge about your family tree, which my mum does. Her mum was adopted and so there has always been a curiosity as to who her family were. So, we’re trying to fill in the gaps and understand things a bit better.
So, what generally happens is, you receive a sample kit through the post. You then provide your sample, which is generally painless and as far as I can tell just involves submitting a saliva sample or cheek swab.
It then depends on the process of the company you chose to do your test. In our case, we chose Ancestry DNA. They have been relatively transparent with the process so far and have updated us at each step of the process i.e. when it was received, when they began extracting the sample etc.
We haven’t had the results back yet, however, I will post an up dated article with results once we hear back.
Why take an Ancestry DNA test?
Well, this question really depends on whether or not you’re interested in your family history. There could be a multitude of reasons why you’re thinking of taking one.
- Adoption — if you, or someone in your family tree was adopted, you may have some lingering questions as to who you really are.
- Validating family stories — You may have one of those family members who swears that you’re related to someone famous, so this could be a way of delving into that side of things. I’ve been told that we’re from the same lineage as such historical figures as Robert the Bruce and Friga(Freya, Frigg) from Norse Mytholgy. Do I really think that I’m related to royalty or a norse Goddess? Maybe not, but it would be interesting either way.
- Tracing Migration Patterns — It could be an interest to see how far your family has travelled across the globe over time. Especially if you live somewhere in the Americas and want to know just where in the world you could possibly be from.
- Celebrating Diversity — I’d be very interested to learn if I have anything in my genetic makeup that isn’t 100% Caucasian, English. I do think that we have some viking ancestry, mainly because of the area that I live in now with a rich history of it. I’d be very interested to discover whether there is anything else in our genetic makeup from elsewhere in the globe.
There are many more reasons why you’d want to investigate your lineage beyond the ones mentioned above. If you even have a spark of curiousity about it all, it may well be worth looking in to.
Are there any ethical considerations?
Despite the many positives for taking one of the Ancestry DNA tests, there are also some negatives to take into considerations, namely the ethics behind it. When we talk about ethics, what do we actually mean?
- Privacy — When taking a DNA test, there is a risk that the information given could be shared with or accessed by third parties. So, this really just depends on your view on this. How do you feel about someone else potentially having access to yours or your families DNA?
- Data Security — This can come hand in hand with the privacy point. There is a risk of there being data breaches which could expose your data to unauthorised parties. Should the results yield sensitive information, this can prove to be a bit of a concern.
- Psychological Impact — It seems like a rather exciting journey to be on, finding out unexpected informaiton and learning more about your family history. But what if that information isn’t something that you want to hear? What if it provides a link to something significantly damaging to what you previously thought?
- Family Dynamics — This can tie into the above point in that, it could yield information to affect family relationships such as paternity or uncover some previously unknown siblings.
- Consent — What happens to the data further along the line may not have been fully understood when taking the test. This could be with such things as the data being used for research purposes. I would hope that the companies who provide the tests do their due-diligence and provide all of the necessary information which gives peace of mind to the consumers.
Make sure that you do your research and you know that the company is reputable and will do everything in their power to protect your information. There are, thankfully, laws which protect you as a consumer when you make the decision to take one of the tests.
Imagine your DNA as a vault of secrets. Thankfully, there’s a legal labyrinth ensuring its sanctity. In the United States, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) plays knight, shielding you from discrimination by insurers and employers eager to peek at your genetic makeup for their benefit. Your health details, thanks to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), remain shrouded in mystery, shared only on a need-to-know basis.
The FDA, typically engaged in ensuring our meds and meals are safe, also certifies that DNA tests are the real deal. In Europe, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) empowers you to keep a tight grip on your genetic blueprint, ensuring it’s shared only on your terms.
But laws vary globally, much like the genetic diversity they protect. It’s a mosaic of statutes, with each piece offering different shades of protection. And while DNA testing companies may vow to guard your genetic tales, their policies are a mixed bag — some might share data with researchers, with your consent.
In a nutshell, this legal patchwork quilts a cover of privacy over your genetic narrative. However, it’s essential to navigate the fine print yourself. Those terms and conditions? They’re the rules of the game. So, before you embark on your ancestral odyssey, know your rights, stay vigilant, and leap into your genetic journey with your eyes wide open.
Have you ever considered purchasing one? Have you bought one and found out some really intriguing information? Has this article managed to persuade you either way with the decision to purchase one? Let me know!
