Genetic Ancestry: Unraveling the Secrets of Our DNA

Modern DNA analysis is revealing a seemingly endless amount of important (and sometimes simply fascinating) information. It’s also uncovering the identity of long-deceased crime victims, “John Does” or “Jane Does,” which can provide surviving relatives with some closure.  

The popularity of genetic ancestry testing has mushroomed since it hit the consumer market circa 2000, with kits that offer affordable, quick and non-invasive testing — often just a swab of saliva from the tongue. One 2024 estimate put the number of people worldwide who’ve taken such tests at 40 million! 

People opt into genetic ancestry testing for a variety of reasons. Some are curious about their past. Others just have to know if the stories that circulated through their family for years are true. But what secrets do DNA test results actually reveal?  

Understanding Genetic Ancestry Testing 

It’s important to understand some of the complexity and nuance of genetic ancestry. Race, ethnicity and our country or countries of origin, while somewhat related, are not ancestry. 

The National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) defines genetic ancestry as “information about the people that an individual is biologically descended from, including their genetic relationships. [It] can be combined with historical information to infer where an individual’s distant ancestors lived.”  

Race has a broad definition that can include physical and cultural characteristics. Ethnicity is used to denote a person’s cultural origin, history and customs.  

There are three primary types of genetic ancestry testing available, and each uses different approaches to yield data:  

• Autosomal (atDNA) 
• Mitochondrial (mtDNA) 
• Y-chromosome (Y-DNA) 

These tests offer genetic insights into previous and current generations of our families, including: 

DNA’s Limitations  

When a genetic ancestry test result says you’re XX% Northern European, it’s telling you that your genetic DNA suggests you are that close genetically to today’s inhabitants of that region. Yet, from the ancient days of settlers intermingling with native peoples to historical and modern immigration, many factors figure into the genetic makeup of a region’s inhabitants.  

Health Insights from Ancestors 

Some genetic ancestry tests can show the possibility of inherited diseases and conditions. They may look at gene groups that have been associated with heart disease or different types of cancer, for example. But just because your great-grandfather may have suddenly lost his sight at a young age, it doesn’t mean that you necessarily have anything to worry about. 

Uncovering Family Connections 

Different cultures have different taboos, and these evolve over time. Further, sometimes “things just happen.” It’s possible that an individual in your family line was the product of parents who were already blood-related, i.e., cousins or even siblings. Consanguinity, a term sometimes used in genetics, means “of the same blood.” 

Identifying Long-Lost Siblings  

Some people reach adulthood or even advanced age without knowing that they have a sibling they were never told about. Adopted children may want information about their family history, and some seek to know who their parents were and if they have any living siblings or other blood relatives. 

Tracing Famous Lineages 

Many people have been told by family members that they’re related to a famous and important historical figure. This can sometimes be determined through exhaustive searches of family birth records and other means.   

In combination with information from such sources, data from these prominent figures’ DNA — many of which have now been tested — and from your own DNA test combined can determine whether you might’ve had a common ancestor. Be warned, however: The farther back in history you go, the less DNA you share with your ancestors, making connections harder to confirm. 

Considerations and Controversies 

The scope and accuracy of the information genetic ancestry testing can provide remains controversial. Even twins with nearly identical DNA will get different test results from the same or different tests: One can be “more French” than the other, for example. Further, it can’t tell you precisely where your ancestors lived.  

Perhaps unsurprisingly, artificial intelligence (AI) is making DNA testing more accurate in the medical and scientific research fields and is likely to improve the accuracy of consumer-driven testing as well. 

Discover Who You’re Meant to Be 

Learn what your strengths are and where you want them to take you professionally in the University of Mississippi Medical Center’s online Molecular Medicine Graduate Certificate Program.   

Through enlightening courses including Genetics, Development and Disease, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of precision medicine, genetics, biotechnology and interrelated disciplines that can prepare you for many fulfilling career options. 

Our 11-22 credit Program offers you: 

• Inclusive GPA requirements. 
• Flexible start dates. 
• Personalized support. 
• Small classes. 
• Guidance from leading researchers and academics. 
• Flexible asynchronous online courses. 
• Competitive tuition rates. 
• An enhanced health-profession school application. 
• Completion in as little as two semesters. 

If a passion for genetics is “in your DNA,” start your UMMC application today! 

 

Sources:
https://www.apa.org/topics/race-ethnicity 
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8202415/
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20231004-these-people-took-dna-tests-the-results-changed-their-lives 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YiydsMxOdM8