For those of you who have not yet entered your DNA testing into your Legacy program, here's a primer I prepared for another group.
Human DNA contains a little over 3 trillion base pairs (eg C, A, T, and G). 99.9% of these bases are the same in every human. The 0.1% is what makes us different from each other. Scientists are discovering that we have a wealth of information hidden away in our DNA that can tell us much about not only who we are, but also where we came from, and who we are related to. DEFINITIONS: yDNA - The Y chromosome that each male has is passed down to him essentially unchanged from his father, grandfather, etc. Studies of this DNA tells us about an individuals paternal ancestry. STR - Mutations called short tandem repeats occur at predictable sites along the chromosome and are comprised of a characteristic nucleotide sequence (eg TCTA) that repeats itself a set number of times (eg 8-24) and are passed down essentially unchanged from generation to generation. Haplotype - An analysis of numbers of short tandem repeats at some 12-60 well-defined sites along the Y chromosome defines a persons haplotype. Comparing two individuals haplotypes tells us how related they are to each other (eg father & son should be identical. The larger the genetic distance the more mutations). mtDNA - Mitochondria are subcellular organelles important in energy production in all eukaryotic organisms, including humans. It is believed that they actually represent ancient bacteria that set up symbiotic relationships early in the evolution of life on earth. They have their own DNA separate from the cells nuclear DNA, and this is passed down to individuals (both male and female) from mother, grandmother, etc (present in egg but not sperm). It therefore gives us information about our maternal ancestry. SNP - Mutations called single nucleotide polymorphisms are single base pair changes that are very stable and change only extremely slowly with time. Haplogroup - The number and placement of these SNP mutations divides all humans into large groups (eg A-X). Comparing these mutations in both yDNA and mtDNA tells us about our deep roots and long term population migrations (eg from Africa through Middle East, and into Europe, Asia, and the Americas). atDNA - Autosomal DNA testing is more controversial and less revealing at this time but analysis of individual SNPs sampled from the other 26 pairs of chromosomes might tell us much about where ALL or our ancestors came from. TESTING: The Genographic Project https://www5.nationalgeographic.com/genographic/ is one in which National Geographic and IBM have teamed up for a global study of genetic genealogy testing. For $99.95 plus shipping & handling, you will have your yDNA or mtDNA testing for SNPs and have your haplogroup identified. Another advantage in working with this group is that profits are used to fund genetic DNA testing of indigenous tribes and populations around the world. The testing for the Genographic Project is actually done by Family Tree DNA http://www.familytreedna.com/ and your participation in the project also provides you with a complimentary 12-allele haplotype through that company. The Sorenson Molecular Genetics Foundation http://smgf.org/index.jspx is where I started my own personal DNA analysis 5 years ago. A major advantage of this study is that it is free. It does require that you submit a four generation family tree, but because it is free, it does take many months to years for your yDNA data to be anonymously posted on their website. But, they will be doing future studies on both mtDNA and atDNA, all at no cost. The testing for SMGF project is actually done by Relative Genetics http://www.relativegenetics.com/relativegenetics/index.jsp and entry in the study provides you with a discounted 26-allele haplotype for $95 through that company. Other tests for more specific and detailed haplotypes are done by Ethnoancestry http://www.ethnoancestry.com, DNA Heritage http://www.dnaheritage.com/, and DNA-Fingerprint http://www.dna-fingerprint.com/index.php. atDNA analysis is done by DNA Print http://ancestrybydna.com/welcome/home/index.php and DNA Tribes http://dnatribes.com/. An overview and comparison of all these tests can be seen at the website of the International Society of Genetic Genealogy at http://www.isogg.org/ydnachart.htm. REFERENCES: 1) Trace Your Roots with DNA, Using Genetic Tests to Explore Your Family Tree, by Megan Smolenyak Smolenyak and Ann Turner, Rodale Inc, 2004. 2) DNA & Genealogy, by Colleen Fitzpatrick & Andrew Yeisere, Rice Book Press, 2005. Clifford G Andrew MD PhD http://www.Geneal.net Enter the drawing for a FREE Legacy Cruise to Alaska or a FREE research trip to Salt Lake's Family History Library. Open to users of Legacy 6 Deluxe. 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