DNA Ancestor Testing

 

DNA testing has become an increasingly popular method of determining ancestry, but a set of standards for these tests has yet to be codified. Generic DNA tests result in ancestral data that is not 100% complete.

1. How It Works

   • DNA tests to determine ancestry are commonly available for anywhere from $100 to $1,000. A swab from the inside of the mouth is sent to the testing facility, where several methods may be employed to run the test. For example, Y-chromosome tests help determine paternal ancestry, while mitochondrial tests determine ancestry on the mother's side.

   Issues

   • DNA tests for ancestry are limited. Since each test looks at only one bloodline, many ancestors are left out, and the individual being tested will be left with many unanswered questions. There is also no way of telling from DNA where ancestors actually lived. Results may vary from test to test, depending on the method used to collect data, and it is nearly impossible to interpret the results objectively, given the variance.

   The Future

   • As the process is developed over time, many issues regarding DNA ancestry testing may be effectively resolved. More detailed tests may be developed, and the significance of certain ancestral populations on modern day people may be better defined. Scientists are working to develop standards that will lead to better methods of interpreting results.