An Introduction to Genetic Ancestry Testing

An Introduction to Genetic Ancestry Testing

“Genetic testing in the future is going to be seen as critical as testing your cholesterol.” — Anne Wojcicki

In the most recent times, there is undoubtedly a huge enthusiasm across the world of science in using biological research — and more particularly, genealogical research — to become familiar with individual and personal familial roots. With the commercialisation of hereditary lineage testing, genealogists and others have accessed a powerful new tool. Testing of one’s ancestral origins may be utilised to identify biological family members, validate genealogical records, and fill in holes in family ancestries.

Three Types of Genetic Ancestry Tests

• Y chromosome testing — since the Y chromosome is passed down unchanged from father to son, this test can determine the origin of paternal ancestors

• Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) testing — mtDNA is passed down from mother to child unchanged; this test can help determine the origin of maternal ancestors

• Autosomal marker testing — uses markers on non-sex chromosomes; the most comprehensive type, though also the most complex to interpret

Scientific Considerations

Genetic ancestry testing cannot simply determine the ethnicity or geographic location of a person’s ancestors with certainty. The precision of hereditary family line testing is dependent on the size and sampling of the database used to match test samples to populations or geographical regions. Results represent probabilities, not certainties — and should be interpreted with this in mind.

Policy and Privacy Considerations

Ancestry test results are not classified as health information and are not protected under standard health data privacy regulations. Ensuring the security of test results is at the discretion of the company offering the test. Consumers should carefully review the privacy policies of any ancestry testing provider before submitting a sample.