DNA Genealogy – The Invaluable Advancement of DNA Genealogy

BY MELANIE WALTERS

DNA genealogy has grown to be an amazingly progressive field of research. Complimenting our natural curiosity of the past with the technological wonders of the future, DNA genealogy can reveal who we may have been related to thousands of years ago; be it a famous king or queen, or some scandalous rogue or wench. Everyone daydreams about whether they may have been related to someone famous, whose celebrity blood we may have running through our veins, and you can find out with the use of DNA genealogy.

I often wondered if I was related to Morgan the pirate, as the maiden name of my maternal grandmother was Morgan and I came from a seafaring family. Turns out through traditional genealogical research I am not, but with the use of DNA genealogy I did discover that I could well be related to an illegitimate son of Henry II. Not so glamorous, but interesting all the same! The point is that DNA genealogy can help you to hone in on the correct branch of your family, and lead you to discovering elusive ancestors. This can be done through a consultation of the mapping of human genome tests.

DNA Genealogy Used in Paternity Testing

The ever-growing business of paternity testing relies heavily on DNA genealogy. The comparison of DNA to determine whether or not a man is the father of a particular child has become so accurate that the results can be used as evidence in a court of law, and a man can be ordered to pay child support based largely on the results of DNA genealogy tests. As a general rule, only DNA tests coming from labs with an accuracy ratio of 99.9999% may be offered as court approved evidence, but that shows you just how precise DNA genealogy test methods have become.

Anyone considering a paternity test using DNA genealogy should ensure that the lab they are using has the above accuracy ratio. This should be guaranteed in writing by the lab, otherwise the results of your DNA genealogy tests will not stand up in court. This accuracy ratio also ensures that the possibility of receiving false test results (saying you're the father when you're really not) is minimal. Don't be fooled by small percentage point differences, as an accuracy ratio of only 99.99% rather than one of 99.9999% increase the chance of a false reading a hundredfold.

DNA genealogy Used in Paleontology

This type of DNA genealogy testing is in its infancy, but with the amount of research presently being undertaken in this field, advancements are struck upon almost daily, and mapping out the genome sequences of dinosaurs may one day allow scientists to bring these prehistoric animals back to life. Jurassic Park anyone? DNA genealogy is a relatively young science, and one day it is hoped that it will help us to eliminate disease, produce more nutritious food, and possibly create life itself.

There are endless possibilities as to where DNA genealogy can take us in the future, but for family historians; there are great possibilities about where it can lead us into the past!

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