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Testing DNA for Genealogy Purposes

August 27th, 2010

DNA testing is an absolutely amazing branch of science that is being increasingly used by genealogists. The science of DNA has the ability to link families together. DNA testing can solve genealogical problems that were otherwise rendered unsolvable. DNA for genealogy is a matter of great excitement among people but before it is tried, it is important to understand what it can and cannot reveal. The most important thing about DNA for genealogy is to determine what one hopes to learn from it. In some cases, testing just one person is enough while in others it may be necessary to test more than one person. This article will reveal what DNA for genealogy testing can do for you.
It is very possible that one may have relatives who have not been documented in the database as of yet. In fact, it is probable. DNA for genealogy testing will have you match your DNA with that of other people’s. This may reveal new ancestors and relatives which you were not aware of. The Y-chromosome test and the Mitochondrial DNA sequencing are two primary tests used usually for the purpose. The first test examines the DNA of the male line while the second one examines the female line. Both tests are extremely helpful but the Y-chromosome test has more proof for establishing its genealogical purposes.
DNA for genealogy can also be used to prove relationships. For persons who think that two people are somehow related to your family line, but you have not been able to find any documentation to prove it, DNA testing may help you. If the right two people are tested, it may reveal that they are closely related in the family line. In case there’s a mismatch, it will reveal that they are not. If a Y-chromosome test is done, and the results match exactly, it means that the two people tested are related within 4 – 5 generations. If the ancestral signature reveals that one or two markers are different, it will mean that the two people, though related, may be only distantly so. The Mitochondrial DNA test will reveal whether two people are related or not, but you won’t find out the exact number of generations that separates them.
Sometimes you may be curious to find out whether you are related to a family that shares your surname. DNA for genealogy can help you find out that as well. You can even find out whether you have any relations with a family or group of people who live in a different country from yours just because you share a surname.
DNA for genealogy testing can reveal a whole lot about you and your past. But it is important to understand that there are limitations as well. For instance, you will not be able to find out whether you have any predisposition to certain diseases from these tests. Nor will a DNA for genealogy test let you create a unique personal genetic fingerprint. But if you want to know more about your past, DNA for genealogy testing is the way to go.

DNA testing is an absolutely amazing branch of science that is being increasingly used by genealogists. The science of DNA has the ability to link families together. DNA testing can solve genealogical problems that were otherwise rendered unsolvable. DNA for genealogy is a matter of great excitement among people but before it is tried, it is important to understand what it can and cannot reveal. The most important thing about DNA for genealogy is to determine what one hopes to learn from it. In some cases, testing just one person is enough while in others it may be necessary to test more than one person. This article will reveal what DNA for genealogy testing can do for you.
It is very possible that one may have relatives who have not been documented in the database as of yet. In fact, it is probable. DNA for genealogy testing will have you match your DNA with that of other people’s. This may reveal new ancestors and relatives which you were not aware of. The Y-chromosome test and the Mitochondrial DNA sequencing are two primary tests used usually for the purpose. The first test examines the DNA of the male line while the second one examines the female line. Both tests are extremely helpful but the Y-chromosome test has more proof for establishing its genealogical purposes.
DNA for genealogy can also be used to prove relationships. For persons who think that two people are somehow related to your family line, but you have not been able to find any documentation to prove it, DNA testing may help you. If the right two people are tested, it may reveal that they are closely related in the family line. In case there’s a mismatch, it will reveal that they are not. If a Y-chromosome test is done, and the results match exactly, it means that the two people tested are related within 4 – 5 generations. If the ancestral signature reveals that one or two markers are different, it will mean that the two people, though related, may be only distantly so. The Mitochondrial DNA test will reveal whether two people are related or not, but you won’t find out the exact number of generations that separates them.
Sometimes you may be curious to find out whether you are related to a family that shares your surname. DNA for genealogy can help you find out that as well. You can even find out whether you have any relations with a family or group of people who live in a different country from yours just because you share a surname.
DNA for genealogy testing can reveal a whole lot about you and your past. But it is important to understand that there are limitations as well. For instance, you will not be able to find out whether you have any predisposition to certain diseases from these tests. Nor will a DNA for genealogy test let you create a unique personal genetic fingerprint. But if you want to know more about your past, DNA for genealogy testing is the way to go.

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Siblings DNA Testing

August 20th, 2010

Siblingship DNA Testing is used to determine if two or more individuals biologically share one or both parents. There are two types of Siblings DNA Testing- one is full Siblings Testing and another is half Siblings Testing.

Full Siblings DNA Testing indicates whether the two individuals both have the same parents (mother and father).  On average, full siblings have 50% of their DNA in common. Half-Sibling DNA testing involves two or more individuals who potentially share only one biological parent either mother or father is same. If they are half siblings, only 25% of their DNA should be identical. In practice, genes from the two parents combine randomly. So these are averages rather than exact numbers.

In this testing, a siblingship index is determined. If the siblingship index is less than 1.00, it indicates non-relatedness. If the siblingship index is greater than 1.00, this indicates that the tested individuals are more likely to belonging to same mother and father. The samples can be extracted from any body fluid or tissue like saliva, semen, blood, hair, nails etc. It can also be extracted from any item that is contaminated with body fluids.

The cost for this type of test varies from situation to situation. For sample collection the children’s mother or mothers are strongly encouraged to participate. Sibling DNA testing is a complex DNA test, and a mother’s samples can really help the process of testing.  If the samples of children’s mother or mothers is not available still the siblings DNA testing can be done. But it then requires extended testing and analysis which will make the testing more costly and longer time to give results.

Sibling DNA tests unlike paternity tests do not provide a conclusive result. However the tests might provide with an indication of whether individuals are more likely to be or not to be the true biological sibling of the other tested individual.

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DNA Test Kits for All Situations

July 16th, 2010

DNA is an abbreviation of Deoxyribonucleic Acid, and is defined as genetic material that comprises the cell. DNA may also be called the blueprint of any living organism. The DNA is situated in the cell nucleus but certain amounts of the DNA are found in mitochondria. It is contained in your blood, organs, semen, muscle, brain cells, skin cells, tissue, bone, etc. This also includes your hair, teeth, perspiration, fingernails, saliva, mucus, urine, feces, etc. DNA test are done on these samples.

Some of the most well-known benefits of DNA test have been seen in the area of forensic science. Forensic DNA test is typically used to identify or verify unknown biological evidence. It helps to find the culprit. DNA fingerprinting provides a way to identify people and their relationships with the crime. The samples are collected from crime site like blood or blood stains, seminal or vaginal fluid, dried stains or hair with roots intact.

DNA Test has turned out to be such an influential crime solving tool as each person’s DNA fingerprint remains unique, apart from identical twins. It also clearly implicates that DNA collected at any crime scene links the suspect to the crime. But it also saves the innocent by completely eliminating the wrongly accused from the case.

That’s why precise DNA fingerprinting is a very critical tool in solving crime cases. It is also very important because it doesn’t need actual fingerprints that may sometimes not be left behind. As DNA is present in every form it can be a piece of the individual’s body, and ranges from hair strands to a skin follicle. Sometimes it can be a drop of blood, and this can help in identifying them via DNA fingerprinting.

DNA test results are available in just 3-5 working days from the receipt of the samples at the laboratory. There are many DNA test kits are available in the market. It contains information about the DNA testing company, its services and sampling procedures.

One thing that some people worry aboput is if testing DNA for genealogy that you might be entered into the criminal DNA database.  That does not happen.  the two are totally seperate and different databases.

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