Genographic Project

The Genographic Project was a National Geographic Society initiative that used genetic testing to investigate human migration and ancestry worldwide. It launched in 2005 and ended in 2020.

Mitochondrial DNA: DNA in mitochondria, usually inherited from the mother and used to trace maternal lineages. The project used maternal lineages to investigate ancient migration patterns.
Spencer Wells: An American geneticist and explorer who directed the Genographic Project. Wells led the project’s scientific work and public presentation.
Direct-to-consumer genetic testing: Genetic testing sold directly to individuals without requiring a healthcare professional to order it. The project offered participants a consumer-facing route to submit DNA for ancestry research.
Indigenous peoples and genetic research: Research involving Indigenous communities’ genetic material, data, or ancestry, shaped by distinct ethical and political concerns. The project’s sampling among Indigenous communities drew criticism over consent and community control.
Y chromosome: A sex chromosome typically passed from father to son, whose inherited markers can trace paternal lineages. Paternal markers supplied a second lineage history alongside mitochondrial DNA.
National Geographic Society: A nonprofit organization that supports research, education, and media about geography, science, and culture. The Society initiated and publicly hosted the project.
AncestryDNA: A consumer genetic testing service that estimates ancestry and identifies genetic relatives. Its commercial ancestry estimates differ from the project’s research emphasis on deep population history.
Informed consent: A person’s voluntary agreement to participate after receiving relevant information about a study and its risks. Debates about project participation centered on whether consent adequately covered future uses.
Single-nucleotide polymorphism: A variation at one position in a DNA sequence among individuals or populations. These variations helped identify genetic patterns associated with population history.
IBM: An American technology company that develops computing systems and services. IBM partnered with National Geographic on the project’s data and technology infrastructure.

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GenealogyRelated: It brought population genetics and public interest in ancestry into a large-scale project.