A New Era of DNA Genealogy

DNA tests are not only conducted for the identification of a suspected victim. But now it is also being utilized to identify our ancestors and a new stream of DNA Genealogy is very much in vogue.

DNA Genealogy is the application of genetics to traditional genealogy. In this genealogy, there is a DNA testing ascertain the degree of relationship between two persons. DNA or deoxyribonucleic acid is used by the virtue fo its uniqueness and also because of the fact that it is passed across the generations. Certain sections of DNA do not change while others change drastically and they help us to recognize the genetic relation between the individuals.

DNA genealogy can be tested by two types of DNA: Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and Y-chromosome DNA tests.

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is located in the cytoplasm of the cell and not in the nucleus unlike the Y-chromosome (Tracing 2003). mtDNA is passes from the mother to both of her boy and girl child without incorporating anything from the father. Thus the mtDNA of a mother and her child are similar. But it is different from Y-DNA. There is a slow change which makes it very tough to determine near relations and is easy to determine relatedness. Two persons having similar mtDNA share the greater probability of having similar background on their mother's side.

Y-chromosome tests are more recent in the field of Genealogy. This test is only for the males as these Y chromosomes only pass along the males ie from father to his son. The small chemical marks on the Y-chromosomes are responsible for their unique structure. These patterns are called a haplotype. It determines the male connection. This test are undertaken to check whether two persons have the same title or a same ancestor.

The study of Bryan Sykes in 2000 (Sykes and Irven 2000) was one of the earliest starts for DNA genealogy. This used DNA Genealogy (Y-chromosome markers) along with surname studies to determine relationships.

From its beginning DNA Genealogy has really made a rapid progress. Its popularity is on steady rise specially with decreasing costs of this test which make it more affordable to people. The methods of collecting samples for DNA genealogy testing are very simple and free from any pain.

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