Information about Mitochondrial DNA (female lineages) also known as: mtDNA
Interpreting Your DNA Test Results for Ancestry: What Markers and
How Many Markers Do You Ask to be Tested? How Do You Apply DNA Test Results to Genealogy?
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Publisher's price: $33.95
Format:
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Size : 6 x 9
Pages: 656
ISBN: 0-595-31684-0
Published: Apr-2004
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647 Pages of Information on Interpreting DNA for Ancestry, Nutrition, Healthcare, and
Family History, plus a glossary of DNA-related definitions.
How to Interpret Family History & Ancestry DNA Test Results for Beginners
By: Anne Hart, M.A.
Table of Contents
Chapter One: How to Interpret Your DNA Test Results for Ancestry or Family History
Chapter Two: Tracing the Female and Male Lineages:
Chapter Three: Men and Women Have
Different Genetic Histories
Chapter Four: How
to Safely Tailor Your Foods, Medicines, and Cosmetics to Your Genes
Chapter Five: Personalized
Medicine from DNA Testing Companies
Chapter Six: Scientists
and Physicians Comment on Pharmacogenetics
Chapter Seven: Where
would consumers (with no science background) begin to search and learn about pharmacogenetics?
Chapter Eight: DNA
Testing for Nutritional Genomics and Ancestry
Chapter Nine: Menopause and Beyond Alternative Resources and Information Online
Chapter Ten: How
are you managing your gene expression?
Chapter Eleven: Consumers Need
to Be Involved in Quality Control
Chapter
Twelve: Intelligent Nutrition or Smart Foods? Who Makes The Rules in Nutritional Genomics?
Chapter Thirteen: What
Products Are Available Now for the Consumer?
Chapter Fourteen: DNA Testing DNA for
Ancestry
Chapter
Fifteen: Personalized Medicine from DNA Testing Companies
Chapter Sixteen: Effects
Chapter Seventeen: How Do Your Genes Respond?
Chapter Eighteen: Consumer Surveillance
Chapter Nineteen: Applied Research
Chapter Twenty: Your
DNA Matches
Chapter Twenty-One: What’s The Oldest
HomoSapien mtDNA in Europe?
Chapter Twenty-Two: From Whom Do You Descend?
Chapter
Twenty-Three: Merging a Mosaic of Jewish Communities
by DNA
Chapter
Twenty-Four: How Do You Use DNA Testing To Interpret Family History Records?
Chapter Twenty-Five:
Molecular Genealogy Revolution
Chapter Twenty-Six: Personalizing
Ethnic Family History Records with DNA Testing
Chapter Twenty-Seven: The
Phenomics Revolution: My Positive Experiences with DNA Testing
Chapter Twenty-Eight: Finding
Female Ancestors by Searching for Maiden Names
Chapter Twenty-Nine:
The DNA Testing Companies of Interest to Family Historians
Chapter Thirty:
What is DNA?
Chapter Thirty-One:
Human Genome Project
Chapter Thirty-Two:
What We’ve Learned So Far
Chapter Thirty-Three:
After the Human Genome Project (HGP), the Next Steps
Chapter Thirty-Four:
Interviewing for Personal Histories
Chapter Thirty-Five:
Oral History
Chapter Thirty-Six:
Diaries Plus DNA Equal Time Capsules
Chapter Thirty-Seven:
Mapping Your Personal Anthropology with Genetic Genealogy
Chapter Thirty-Eight:
Beginner’s Guide to Managing a Genetic Genealogy Project
Chapter Thirty-Nine:
Haplogroups and Markers
Chapter Forty:
Cancer Genetics Network (CGN)
Chapter Forty-One:
How to Open Your Own DNA Test Results or Molecular Genealogy Reporting Company
Appendix A ......................................................................................
Appendix B: ......................................................................................
Appendix C: ......................................................................................
Appendix D: ......................................................................................
Appendix E :…………………………………………………………
Appendix F: ………………………………………………………….
Appendix G: ………………………………………………………….
Index ....................................................................................................
Excerpts from Chapters:
Interpreting Family History & Ancestry DNA Test Results for
Beginners
Chapter
One
How to Interpret Your DNA Test Results for Ancestry or Family
History in Plain Language
How many DNA testing companies will show
you how to interpret DNA test results for family history or direct you to instructional materials after you have had your
DNA tested? Choose a company based on previous customer satisfaction, number of markers tested, and whether the company gives
you choices of how many markers you want, various ethnic and geographic databases, and surname projects based on DNA-driven
genealogy.
Before you select a company to test
your DNA, find out how many genetic markers will be tested. For the maternal line, 400 base pairs of sequences are the minimum.
For the paternal line (men only) 37 markers are great, but 25 markers also should be useful.
Some companies offer a 12-marker
test for surname genealogy groups at a special price. When you order a home testing kit, you’ll get mouthwash
or a felt tip to rub inside your cheek and mail back. Find out how long the turnaround time is for waiting to receive your
results. What is the reputation of the company?
Do they have a contract with a university
lab or a private lab? Who does the testing and who is the chief geneticist at their laboratory? What research articles, if
any, has that scientist written or what research studies on DNA have been performed by the person in charge of the DNA testing
at the laboratory? Who owns the DNA business that contracts with the lab, and how involved in genealogy-related DNA projects
and databases or services is the owner?
Will the company keep in touch with you
and let you know by email each time you have a DNA match? What happens to your DNA after you test it? Is it destroyed? What
projects are available for you to participate in using your DNA donation or that of relatives related to ancestry, genealogy,
or family history? How much will testing cost? What other projects can you donate your DNA to offering free testing for what
uses?
After your DNA sample is sent to the return
address, the DNA will be sent to a university or private laboratory to be tested. A report showing your sequences of the portion
of DNA tested for ancestry only will come back in about six to eight weeks. The DNA-testing company will send you the report
with your sequences. Now, it’s up to you to find out what the sequences mean in terms of ancestry.
When you order a DNA test, you get a code
number or kit number so your name remains private. Some companies let you sign a release form to allow others to contact you
or you contact them by email each time you find a match with someone who shares your exact mtDNA
(maternal) or Y-chromosome (paternal) genetic markers for ancestry. The DNA tested for ancestry shows only ancestry, not any
risk or disease. Women have their mtDNA tested as they don’t carry a Y-chromosome. Men may
have their mtDNA (maternal line) or their Y-chromosome (paternal line) tested.
According to AncestryByDNA,
“We’ve all originated from a common ancestor that lived some 200,000 years ago. The only way to know where you
came from is by reading your genetic code.” What might intrigue some is taking a racial percentages test to see
what percentages of which ‘races’ live in your very ancient or recent past.
What Will Be On The DNA Report?
You’ll find your sequences
on the printout that you get back from your DNA testing company, but how do you interpret your sequences for ancestry? If
you want more information on interpreting sequences than you find in this article, you can start with the free online message
boards on DNA genealogy such as Genealogy-DNA Rootsweb.com at: GENEALOGY-DNA-D-request@rootsweb.com. You can watch my instructional videos on interpreting your DNA test results for family
history and ancestry or on how to write salable life stories on Google Video.
Before you
take a DNA test, enjoy these videos and look at my book or browse excerpts on Creative Genealogy Projects: Writing Salable
Life Stories. Bring together DNA-driven genealogy reports with personal history for your time capsule.
Your biggest question could be, “What
do you do with your DNA sequences in the field of genealogy?” You look at the ethnic databases online or find long lost
relatives and email them. Then you put the DNA-for-ancestry report with the interpretations along with any genealogy information
and keepsakes in your time capsule as part of social history.
You can send your DNA to a world wide
database collecting the world’s DNA. One such database is the Molecular Genealogy Project at the Sorenson Molecular
Genealogy Foundation: The Web site is at: http://www.smgf.org/. It’s a “nonprofit organization founded to build a publicly accessible genealogical database.” You
can contribute your DNA to their database free, but you need to have a known genealogy going back at least four generations.
Your Maternal Lineage—Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)
and Ancestry
Since women only can be tested for mitochondrial
DNA which shows only the female lineages that originated thousands of years, ago, find out how many base pairs of mtDNA
will be tested. Usually the minimum is 400 base pairs of mtDNA.
If your mtDNA
covers a wide area, it usually signifies that the DNA sequences are very ancient and had thousands of years to spread wide
distances geographically. If your mtDNA sequences are found in a very narrow area, your mtDNA
may have arisen relatively more recently.
It’s the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) that is tested to find out your maternal line. The mtDNA is passed from
mother to daughter starting with one female ancestor. That ancestor started your line of mtDNA sequences
thousands of years ago. Since mtDNA mutates slowly over thousands of years, you are usually told
in a report that your mtDNA sequences arose anywhere depending on the sequences from 10,000 years
ago to 20,000 years ago.
How to Interpret DNA Test Results--Female
Your DNA test result will give you a letter
of the alphabet called your ‘haplogroup’ or ‘clan’ as Oxford Ancestors calls
it. If you’re of European, Middle Eastern, (or from some parts of India) your deep maternal ancestry letters will be
H, I, J, K, N, R, T, U, V, W, or X. Most European lineages of women have these letters. It only means your prehistoric female
ancestors most likely came from Europe, Central Asia, or the Middle East.
If your letters are A, B, C, D or X, most
likely you could be Native American or Asian. The letter ‘L” is African, as in L1, L2, L3. The letter L3 is the
same group that left Eastern and/or Southern Africa to populate the rest of the world thousands of years ago. And the letters
M, A, B, C, D, E, F, G, O, P, Q and Z most likely are East Asian. P and Q mtDNA is found in Oceana, the Pacific Islands and
Papua-New Guinea. N mtDNA types also are found in Australia, but N is found in Europe and the Middle East.
M1 is found in Africa and M in India and
Asia as well as in the Americas. Some Asian lines are shared with the Americas, but with different mutations or sequence variations.
mtDNA letters A and C are shared with East Asian and Native American, and Z and Y are found in Russia
and Scandinavia at a low rate, and also in Asia. These haplogroups are very ancient. Most mtDNA
sequences can be traced back 20,000 or more than 50,000 years into prehistory. And those have common ancestors that go back
in time even further. The letter X is found in Europe and among Native Americans, in Southern Siberia, around the Caucasus,
in the Middle East, and in Central Asia.
If your mtDNA
covers a wide area, it usually signifies that the DNA sequences are very ancient and had thousands of years to spread wide
distances geographically. If your mtDNA sequences are found in a very narrow area, your mtDNA
may have arisen relatively more recently. Your point of origin geographically is the place where your mtDNA
is most diverse, not necessarily where it is found most frequently.
Where Can You Match Your mtDNA
to a Country in an Online Database?
For women and men interested in matching their mtDNA sequences of HVS-1 or HVS-2 (high and low
resolution) there are databases online such as Macaulay’s Tables database. These DNA databases online are matched
with surname groups, lists, message boards, and other Web and online databases to help you match your sequences to a geographic
location. I use Macaulay’s Tables at: http://www.stats.gla.ac.uk/~vincent/founder2000/tableA.html.
Roots for Real, based in London at: <http://www.rootsforreal.com/english/eng-home.html>
tests your low resolution mtDNA or Y chromosome and sends you a report and map showing the probable
or possible geographic origin of your sequence by latitude and longitude, even naming the town that exists there today. The
probable geographic center for the origin of my mtDNA sequences is located
at 48.30N, 4.65E, Bar sur Aube, France with a deviation of 669.62 miles according to the map emailed
to me by Roots for Real.
Which Company to Choose and Why?
I had my DNA tested at Family Tree DNA,
Oxford Ancestors, and AncestryByDNA and geographical interpretations of the results done at Roots
for Real. According to their Web site, Family Tree DNA coined the word anthrogenealogy “that
combines the methods of the two sciences—anthropology and genealogy, “largely with individual or corporate sponsorship
or carried out by avocational researchers.”
Family Tree DNA gives a lot of choices.
They sent me my sequences of both the high resolution and low resolution mtDNA called the HVS-1
and HVS-2. I was then able to look up on the Web “Macaulay’s Tables,” a database of sequences for HVS-1
and HVS-2 and find out in which countries people of today live who have my exact mtDNA
sequences. The countries are England, Austria, Spain, and Bulgaria.
I chose to have my mtDNA
interpreted by four companies so I could compare what they offered with what my goal was, to link genealogy to DNA and find
out my matrilineal ancestry back to 21,000 years ago if that was possible as far as geographic location in longitude and latitude.
What I liked about each company was that
they all offered different material. AncestryByDNA offered my genotype sequences on a CD and a racial
percentages test. Oxford Ancestors offered a chart and a prehistory of the DNA that showed me how I link to the world’s
mtDNA clans. The company also showed me that 21,000 years ago my mtDNA
lived in what was to become Spain and/or Southwest France.
The second company to test my mtDNA,
AncestryBy DNA <http://www.ancestrybydna.com> in Sarasota, Florida, sent me a free book, titled, The Great Human Diaspora. It did help me understand
how DNA is measured. For more information on the ancestry and migration of the male Y-chromosome, I found a newer book, The
Journey of Man, by Spencer Wells, published in 2002.
Family Tree DNA tested my HVS-1
and HVS-2, my high and low resolution mtDNA. Roots for Real, London, sent me maps online that showed
what latitude and longitude the probable origin of my exact mtDNA sequences appeared in the last
10,000 years and the town of probable origin that didn’t exist in the distant past, the city of Bar Sur
Aube, France.
What Will You Pay for a DNA Test for Ancestry?
In August 2001, Oxford Ancestors, London,
became the first company to test my mtDNA for around $180. They noted my mtDNA
sequences also showed up in England. They also sent me a chart showing where the mtDNA originated
and how my mtDNA links with other mtDNA all over the world. I also received
printed material on human migrations. I paid a little over $200 at Family Tree DNA. My husband paid $99 for a surname group-rate
12-marker Y-chromosome test at Family Tree DNA.
At most companies DNA tests can run from
about $100 to over $300 for ancestry. Prices seem to be coming down and more markers are being tested for Y-chromosomes. DNA
tests for nutrition or medical reasons are more, and a few companies even test the entire genome for a high price, more than
$1,000.
If you're interested in a
career in genetics counseling and wish to pursue a graduate degree in genetics counseling, that's another career route. For
information, contact The American Board of Genetic Counseling. Sometimes social workers with some coursework in biology take
a graduate degree in genetic counseling since it combines counseling skills with training in genetics and in interpreting
genetics tests for your clients.
The American Board of Genetic
Counseling.
9650 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, MD 20814-3998
Phone: (301) 571-1825
FAX: (301) 571-1895
http://www.abgc.net/
Below
is a list of several DNA-testing companies. Some of these companies test DNA only for ancestry. Other companies listed
below test genes for personalized medicine and nutrigenomics, and some companies test for nutrigenomics, pharmacogenetics,
and ancestry.
You'll
also find several companies listed that only test the DNA of animals. So you have a choice of testing DNA for a variety of
purposes, for testing human DNA only, or for testing animal DNA. And the applications for testing genetic signatures are growing,
since this science is still in its infancy in regard to applications of genetic and genomic testing.
Roots for Real
http://www.rootsforreal.com
address: PO Box 43708
London W14 8WG UK
Family Tree DNA
- Genealogy by Genetics, Ltd.
World Headquarters
1919 North Loop West, Suite 110 Houston, Texas 77008, USA
Phone: (713) 868-1438 | Fax: (713) 868-4584
info@FamilyTreeDNA.com
http://www.familytreedna.com/
Oxford Ancestors
Oxford Ancestors,
London,
http://www.oxfordancestors.com/
AncestrybyDNA, DNAPrint genomics, Inc.
900 Cocoanut Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236. USA
Tel: 941-366-3400
Fax: 941-952-9770 Web site: http://www.ancestrybydna.com/
GeneTree DNA Testing Center
2495 South West
Temple
Salt Lake City, UT 84115
Toll Free: (888) 404-GENE
Phone: (801) 461-9757
Fax: (801) 461-9761, http://www.genetree.com/
Trace Genetics LLC
P.O. Box 2010
Davis, California
95617
info@tracegenetics.com
http://www.tracegenetics.com/aboutus.html
Predictive
Genomics for Personalized Medicine including Nutrigenomics
AlphaGenics Inc.
9700 Great Seneca Highway
Rockville, Maryland 20850
Email:
info@alpha-genics.com
http://www.alpha-genics.com/index.php
Genovations TM
Great Smokies Diagnostic Laboratory/Genovations™
63 Zillicoa Street
Asheville, NC 28801 USA
http://www.genovations.com/
Centre for Human Nutrigenomics
http://www.nutrigenomics.nl/
According to its Web site, "The Centre for Human NutriGenomics
aims at establishing an international centre of expertise combining excellent pre-competitive research and high quality (post)graduate
training on the interface of genomics, nutrition and human health."
Nutrigenomics Links: http://nutrigene.4t.com/nutrigen.htm
Veterinary DNA Testing
Veterinary Genetics Laboratory
University of California, Davis
One Shields
Avenue
Davis, CA 95616-8744
http://www.vgl.ucdavis.edu/
According to their Web site: "The Veterinary Genetics
Laboratory is internationally recognized for its expertise in parentage verification and genetic diagnostics for animals.
VGL has provided services to breed registries, practitioners, individual owners and breeders since 1955." The Veterinary Genetics Laboratory performs contracted
DNA testing.
Alpaca/Llama
Beefalo
Cat
Cattle
Dog
Elk
Goat
Horse
Sheep
DNA Testing of Dogs and Horses:
VetGen, 3728 Plaza
Drive, Suite 1, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48108 USA http://www.vetgen.com/
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Our price: $33.95
Format:
Paperback
Size : 6 x 9
Pages: 656
ISBN: 0-595-31684-0
Published: Apr-2004
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Beginners who want to learn how to interpret
DNA test results for family history should find this guidebook to DNA-driven genealogy an open door.
How many DNA testing companies will show you
how to interpret DNA test results for family history or direct you to instructional materials after you have had your DNA
tested? Choose a company based on previous customer satisfaction, number of markers tested, and whether the company gives
you choices of how many markers you want, various ethnic and geographic databases, and surname projects based on DNA-driven
genealogy.
Before you select a company to test your DNA, find out how many genetic markers will
be tested. For the maternal line, 400 base pairs of sequences are the minimum. For the paternal line (men only) 37 markers
are great, but 25 markers also should be useful.
Some companies offer a 12-marker test for surname genealogy groups at a special price.
When you order a home testing kit, you'll get mouthwash or a felt tip to rub inside your cheek and mail back.
Find out how long the turnaround time is for waiting to receive your results. What
is the reputation of the company?
Do they have a contract with a university lab or a private lab? Who does the testing
and who is the chief geneticist at their laboratory?
What research articles, if any, has that scientist written or what research studies
on DNA have been performed by the person in charge of the DNA testing at the laboratory?
Who owns the DNA business that contracts with the lab? How involved in genealogy-related
DNA projects and databases or services is the owner?
Link to my mtDNA page. DNA-driven genealogy geography.
So You Want to Be a Personal Historian?
List of other
books by author--bibliography link. Click on link.
***
Check for current updates as The Dictionary of Genetics Terms
of the Human Genome Project Information Web site is a special feature of the Human Genome Project Information Web site.
The site has many wonderful articles on genetics and pharmacogenomics as well as related topics in genomics and all types
of informational articles and publications about the Human Genome Project. One the Human GenomeProject Web site, check for
updates at: http://www.ornl.gov/TechResources/Human_Genome/publicat/primer2001/glossary.html
Also, I highly recommend the publication at: http://www.ornl.gov/TechResources/Human_Genome/publicat/primer2001/5.html titled: Genome Sequences Launch a New Level of Scientific Challenges. Check out all these wonderful government publications available for your education about genomics
and the Human Genome Project. Isn't reading about DNA exhilarating?
***
Directory of DNA-Testing Companies
Family Tree DNA (click on link)
1. Family Tree DNA - Genealogy by Genetics, Ltd.
World Headquarters
1919 North Loop West, Suite 110 Houston, Texas 77008, USA
Phone: (713) 868-1438 | Fax: (832) 201-7147
2. Trace Genetics LLC
PO Box 2010
Davis, CA 95617
http://www.tracegenetics.com
3. Title: Paternity DNA Testing By paternitytesters.com.
Description:Paternitytesters.com- Paternity
Testing Laboratory offering AABB DNA Paternity Testing, Cheap Prices & Free DNA Banking Worldwide. For Confidential Results
in 5 days, call 866-273-8323.
_________________________________________________________
E-Letter from Bryan Sykes:
From: Bryan Sykes
To: Anne Hart
Sent: Wednesday, December 01, 2004 4:28 PM
Subject: Re: Thank you for starting us to search for English ancestors
Dear Anne
Well I suppose that’s what academics are for. I’m so thrilled
that my research has led to something useful. It certainly didn’t seem so at the time.
On a serious vein, what has happened in ‘genetic genealogy’
is extremely unusual. Blue sky scientific research has opened up a field which is now being championed by yourself and others.
The research that counts is now being done by enthusiastic practitioners – mainly unpaid. It is the return of the long
forgotten 19th century paragon – the amateur scientist. I feel a ponderous and pompous article coming on!
Best wishes – and
a very happy Christmas.
Bryan
DNA-Driven Genealogy: How to Find Information
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Predictive Medicine for Rookies: Consumer Watchdogs, Reviews, & Genetics Testing Firms Online
by Anne Hart |
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Publisher's price: $23.95
Format: Paperback
Size : 6 x 9
Pages: 402
ISBN:
0-595-35146-8
Published: Apr-2005 | |
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Tracing Your Baltic, Scandinavian, Eastern European, & Middle Eastern
Ancestry Online : Finnish, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Icelandic, Estonian, Latvian, Polish, Lithuanian, Greek,
Macedonian, Bulgarian, Armenian, Hungarian, Eastern European & Middle Eastern Genealogy (All Faiths)
by Anne Hart |
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Publisher's
price: $14.95
Format: Paperback
Size : 6 x 9
Pages: 186
ISBN: 0-595-35773-3
Published:
Jun-2005 | |
