Wednesday, 5 June 2019

The National Genographic Project And Human History

By Ronald Watson


There are a number of genealogical societies which sponsor a number of studies and trials related to ancestry, heritage and DNA. Currently, phase 2.0 Next Generation of the National Genographic Project is underway. The project maps and studies human migration patterns by collecting and analyzing DNA samples has grown over the last decade. For, with 140 countries and over a million participants, it has become one of the most popular studies in this area.

The project was created in 2005 by Spencer Wells whom also served as director until 2015. As a privately funded, not-for-profit partnership between the Waitt Foundation and the National Genographic Society, the study and DNA testing of various populations is ongoing. In the beginning phase, researchers collected DNA from various indigenous populations for analysis at eleven different regional centers around the world.

In Fall 2012, the society announced a new genotyping array which has been dedicated to genetic anthropology known as GenoChip. The array is designed specifically for anthropological testing and includes mitochondrial DNA, Y-chromosome DNA, X-chromosome DNA, and SNPs from autosomal DNA. The new chip's design was a collaboration between Illumina, Family Tree DNA, Eran Elhaik of John Hopkins and Wells of National Geographic.

Another new chip was introduced in 2015 which was designed as a joint effort between Genographic Lead Scientists, Family Tree DNA and Vilar. In addition, an Admixture test was developed by Elhaik and Wells which classifies individuals through an assessment of proportions of genomic ancestry related to nine different regions of the world. These nine regions include, Native American, Sub-Saharan African, Northern European, Mediterranean and Northeast Asian.

The society started using a sequencing program for Geno 2.0 Next Generation, the current phase of DNA sampling. Geno 2.0 analyzes populations based on modern day demographics using between eighteen and twenty two regional populations. By using collection kits for DNA samples, the program uses participant's saliva which is analyzed for genomic and genetic markers which offers insight into an individual's genetic make-up.

Volunteers have played a vital role in providing DNA samples and participating in projects as citizen scientists. As a result, the society now sells self-testing kits to individuals whom wish to participate in the study. As a method of advertising and outreach to the public, different genealogical organizations are promoting benefits of these and other scientific research programs.

The society has been using the latest technology available since the inception of the project in 2015. In doing so, researchers are hopeful that the knowledge base related to the connection of different cultures and populations and the human story can be expanded over time. As a result, the researchers are also hopeful that the process will help in discovering new information about different human populations.

While the project has seen a lot of success, there has also been a great deal of criticism. For example, the Indigenous People's Council on Biocolonialism or IPCB provided a press release which criticized the project due to the connection to a number of controversial issues. In one case, tribes suggested that DNA testing might show that some tribes were not indigenous to North America and recommended tribal members avoid participating. Whereas, indigenous populations also began boycotting the project as well as corporations involved such as Gateway and IBM.




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