Researchers can analyze DNA to learn about the ancestral histories of human populations.
The rise of low-cost DNA ancestry tests marketed to consumers is enabling people to discover their own personal ancestry. Ancestry tests are nuanced, and the results are subject to limitations. Still, these tests can yield warmly welcomed results or fill in missing pieces of a family story. They may also provide results that cause people to feel upset or worried, and the results may conflict with an individual’s personal and cultural identities.
How Does Admixture Testing Work?
More than 99% of the DNA in all humans is identical. Therefore, ancestry testing focuses on the slight differences in the DNA code that commonly vary between people. Admixture testing estimates a person’s ancestry by comparing their DNA variants to DNA from reference populations. This comparison is possible because certain DNA variants are more common in some regions of the world than others. In the video, Daisy’s results suggest a high percentage of Asian ancestry. This means that Daisy likely shares a high degree of ancestry with people currently living in Asia.
It is important to note that reference populations are created using DNA from modern-day people, not DNA from people who were alive during the time of our ancestors. Why does this matter? Migration is a common theme throughout human history, and social identities change over time. So, even though Daisy shares ancestors with people living in Asia today, it is possible that those ancestors might have come from another part of the world and/or not have identified themselves as Asian.
Why Did My Ancestry Results Change?
When browsing the internet for other people’s experiences with ancestry testing, you might notice stories of people getting different ancestry results from different testing companies. This is a common experience. And sometimes results from the same company can change over time!
How can this happen?
How Unique is My DNA?
As scientists analyze DNA from more and more people, they are developing a better understanding of human genetic variation. How similar are two people’s DNA codes? How much do they differ? What does human genetic variation look like across the world?
How Does Admixture Testing Work?
More than 99% of the DNA in all humans is identical. Therefore, ancestry testing focuses on the slight differences in the DNA code that commonly vary between people. Admixture testing estimates a person’s ancestry by comparing their DNA variants to DNA from reference populations. This comparison is possible because certain DNA variants are more common in some regions of the world than others. In the video, Daisy’s results suggest a high percentage of Asian ancestry. This means that Daisy likely shares a high degree of ancestry with people currently living in Asia.
It is important to note that reference populations are created using DNA from modern-day people, not DNA from people who were alive during the time of our ancestors. Why does this matter? Migration is a common theme throughout human history, and social identities change over time. So, even though Daisy shares ancestors with people living in Asia today, it is possible that those ancestors might have come from another part of the world and/or not have identified themselves as Asian.
Why Did My Ancestry Results Change?
When browsing the internet for other people’s experiences with ancestry testing, you might notice stories of people getting different ancestry results from different testing companies. This is a common experience. And sometimes results from the same company can change over time!
How can this happen?
How Unique is My DNA?
As scientists analyze DNA from more and more people, they are developing a better understanding of human genetic variation. How similar are two people’s DNA codes? How much do they differ? What does human genetic variation look like across the world?