Wednesday 5 June 2019

Exploring The National Genographic Project

By Ronald Watson


A current project by the National Genographic Society is attempting to map and study the patterns of migration related to humans through collecting and analyzing DNA from different populations. The National Genographic Project, now in phase 2.0 Next Generation continues to focus primarily on studying different types of DNA from the human populous. With over one hundred forty countries involved as of 2018 and one million participants, the study has become well known and rather popular over the last decade.

Created by Spencer Wells in 2005 whom served as the original director until 2015, the project is a non-profit partnership between the society and the Waitt Foundation. As part of an associated study, researchers are obtaining DNA tests from different cultures and populations around the world. During the beginning stages, researchers focused primarily on indigenous populations. Now, the organization houses researchers in different centers in different parts of the world.

In Autumn of 2012, the project received a new array with which to use in genotyping. The array is dedicated to the study of genetic anthropology and has been provided the name of GenoChip. Designed specifically as a tool for genotyping, the array has the capability of testing a multitude of DNA types.

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 latest and most advanced technology associated with DNA and genome testing is now being used as of this latest phase of the study. Through the use of various technological equipment and data collection, the organization is hopeful in expanding knowledge of the historical aspects of the human story as well as the connection between different cultures and populations. As such, researchers hope to harness the power of the greater population in order to discover new data and history beginning with the earliest days of the world.

While the project has been successful to date, the Indigenous People's Council on Biocolonialism or IPCB provided a statement which criticized the project. The reason provided in the statement for such criticism was because some tribes felt the DNA testing had the potential to show that some Native Americans were not indigenous to North America. As such, the council recommended that the tribal members not participate in the research study and also boycott IBM and Gateway for their role in the project.




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