Genealogy refers to the study of humans and their lineage. Genealogists use genetic analysis, historical records and other methods to gather information about families and trace their history. genealogy DNA testing is done in order to show kinship and common pedigrees among members of a family. Kinship is the relationship between two individuals sharing a common genealogical origin. This may arise out of biological, historical or cultural descent. Kinship is one basic principle in categorizing individuals for genealogical studies, for dividing them into social groups and assigning them specific roles. It helps in concretely establishing and representing family relations and also the degrees of these relationships.
Genealogy traces your ancestors
Pedigree, on the other hand, shows the occurrence of a specific gene across different generations. Reasons for tracing family history can be for a greater sense of satisfaction or the responsibility to show the past to the next generation or to find out about one’s family and ascertain its place in the historical scheme of things. Genealogy DNA testing and analysis uses a person’s DNA to establish his family’s history or trace his lineage. Genealogical testing is examining a person’s nucleotides located at specific points on his DNA for comparing results of the present generation with the past, historical population.
Y-DNA decodes your male ancestors
Nucleotides are the building blocks of our DNA. They are molecules, which, when conjoined, form the structure of DNA. Y chromosome testing, also known as Y-DNA testing is used to determine a person’s patrilineal ancestry or his male ancestors. This technique is carried out by tracing his Y chromosome DNA or Y-DNA because the Y chromosome is passed on from father to son almost unchanged. A person’s results can be compared with another to determine the time period when the two shared a MRCA or most recent common ancestor.
Mitochodrial testing can establish female ancestry
Another test in genealogy DNA testing is mitochondrial DNA testing or mtDNA. With the help of this, a person’s matrilineal ancestry or his female ancestors. Similar to the Y chromosome, the DNA in a mother’s mitochondria passes down unchanged to all children. Only a perfect match with the other individual’s mtDNA results mean the two may find a common ancestor. Mutations in mitochondrial DNA is very rare and so an ‘almost perfect’ match is not as useful as in the patrilineal case. Here, a 100% match is needed to be of any help to the testers.
Genealogy DNA testing is not used for medical purposes
Genealogy DNA testing is however, not used to identify, monitor and diagnose critical illness, genetic disorders or diseases and prevent them or reduce occurrence by taking precautionary measures. DNA contains vital information about an individual’s physical health, mental capacities and limitations which have been passed on, almost unchanged, from his ancestors. This information is used by DNA analysts to prevent or treat genetic shortcomings.
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