GENEALOGY-DNA-L Archives
Archiver > GENEALOGY-DNA > 2005-08 > 1122932226
From: "GKBopp" <>
Subject: Re: [DNA] FTDNA Genetic Distance Calculations & Assignment to Family Groups
Date: Mon, 1 Aug 2005 11:37:06 -1000
References: <IGEOKAGLHNEKPCKPADIGGEGNKEAA.bbailey.lowedna@baileyconnection.com>
From: "Lowe DNA" <>
Monday, August 01, 2005 8:56 AM
> You lost me here.. What software changes were made to either decrease, or
> increase, the genetic distance.
Ysearch software was revised to use inf. allele method.
> What finding from the NGS GENOGRAPHIC DNA results caused the genetic
> distance calculation to be changed (and why)?
Did not get the impression there were new "findings" but rather that FTDNA
thinks the inf. allele approach is more appropriate when one has only 12
markers - and the Geno- transfers are 12 markers only. I did not argue
with the programmer about this - I merely asked about what the program is
doing.
Remember, I was talking to a programmer to find out how the program works -
I was not talking to management about the reasoning in back of the
programming decision. Others may or may not agree with the decision and
should feel free to post under another subject and/or discuss directly with
FTDNA.
> I have not seen any (NGS probably has not released a media tatement yet on
> their findings), so perhaps Max or Bennett can update us with some
> facts...
I don't think Max and Bennett read every single email on this list so you
might prefer to ask them and report back (maybe they'll put something in the
next Facts & Genes - I don't know).
When I email some wording clarification suggestions to FTDNA for the Inter.
Gen. Distance charts - the purpose will be to clarify the explanations, it
will not be an email about whether or not I agree with the decision. That's
a separate subject - and one I'm truly not qualified to debate, but some of
you may be so qualified.
However, I do agree - altho' not directly stated in Bill's post - that it's
confusing and frustrating when policies change and we find out by accident.
I think FTDNA knows that admins with large projects answer hundreds of
questions from participants - questions that could be going to FTDNA - and
know we cut down on their workload. We often put explanations on our sites
and use those links when answering questions (to cut down on our workload
too!). What they may not realize is, we need to know policy changes so that
we are not passing on incorrect information. Some of us have web pages that
are used by many other admins - it's one of the things we contribute freely
to our DNA community - and we do want to be sure they are correct. That is
something I will say when I send my next email to them and maybe suggest a
way of doing that.
Aloha,
Georgia Kinney Bopp
This thread: