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Archiver > GENEALOGY-DNA > 2006-04 > 1145677815


From: "Eric Olson" <>
Subject: Genealogy as we knew it
Date: Fri, 21 Apr 2006 20:50:15 -0700


In discussing DNA testing an uncle said this to me.

"I find genealogy's new bed partner, DNA, has come along just in time. I was always of the opinion that new age morality would destroy genealogy as we knew it. Research was based upon civil documentation, baptism and cemetery records as well as Christian customs. I see civil documents being rendered useless with marriage being unimportant and so many children being born out of wedlock with no knowledge of who the father might be. I see the technology of DNA to continue growing into an industry to accommodate managed births between partners. Alas, I will not be around to see the full potential of the industry. Civil Union and marriage customs will all be different."

So along with blood tests (for STDs), we may expect a DNA profile for each potential parent as a prerequsite for co-habitation? I think he may be confusing autosomal DNA for paternal and maturnal testing , with Y- and mt- DNA testing for genetic genealogy. That seems to happen a lot even here, with statements about phenotypical traits such as shape of head, color of hair and eyes and skin, the "Celtic Toe", the "Simian Fold", " the Mongolian Blue Spot", and loose talk such as "intermarrying of different Y-Haplogroups" from people who should know better.

It's difficult enough to recruit new members for surname studies because they are already nervous about privacy matters. How can we make it perfectly clear that the DNA useful to genetic genealogy has nothing to do with the DNA used for paternity, forensics or medicine? Or can we?

Regards,
Eric Olson


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