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 April of 2005 as a non-profit partnership between the National Geographic Society and the Waitt Foundation, the studies and trials are still ongoing and most likely will continue for quite some time. The organization, being a non-profit, received funding for the project through private donations. Once enough funding was available, DNA samples were collected from different cultures and populations.
In Fall 2012, the society introduced a new array for genotyping. The system now dedicated to anthropological genetic testing has been named GenoChip. Specifically designed for testing different types of DNA, the system has helped the organization process samples more efficiently and effectively.
In 2015, another new chip was introduced through a joint effort of Vilar, the current project director, Family Tree DNA and Genographic Lead Scientists. An Admixture was also developed by Wells and Elhaik which works to classify individuals based on genomic ancestry from nine regions of the world. The nine regions being Northeast Asian, Mediterranean, Northern European, Sub-Saharan African and Native American.
The society began using cutting edge Helix DNA sequencing for Geno 2.0 Next Generation, the current ongoing phase of the project. Unlike earlier phases, Geno 2.0 Next Generation analyzes populations based on modern day demographics using 18 or 22 regional populations. By using a collection kit for DNA samples, Helix acquires saliva samples from participants which is later analyzed for genomic markers which offer unprecedented insight into an individual's genetic origins. After which, the data is uploaded to the DNA database.
Volunteers have been integral in participating by providing samples of DNA along with participating in citizen based scientific projects. The society actually now sells self-testing kits to members of the public which wish to become citizen scientists by providing DNA. In fact, such participation has always been advised and encouraged by different genealogical organizations which promote and report benefits from DNA based and other scientific research.
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 researchers have been successful in collecting a number of DNA samples, there has also been criticism, most notably by the Indigenous People's Council on Biocolonialism. For, it appears that some Native American tribes are concerned that DNA tests have the potential to incorrectly identify tribal members as not being indigenous to North America. As a result, not only have some Native Americans refused to provide DNA samples, many have also been boycotting corporations associated with the study including IBM and Gateway.
Created by Spencer Wells in April of 2005 as a non-profit partnership between the National Geographic Society and the Waitt Foundation, the studies and trials are still ongoing and most likely will continue for quite some time. The organization, being a non-profit, received funding for the project through private donations. Once enough funding was available, DNA samples were collected from different cultures and populations.
In Fall 2012, the society introduced a new array for genotyping. The system now dedicated to anthropological genetic testing has been named GenoChip. Specifically designed for testing different types of DNA, the system has helped the organization process samples more efficiently and effectively.
In 2015, another new chip was introduced through a joint effort of Vilar, the current project director, Family Tree DNA and Genographic Lead Scientists. An Admixture was also developed by Wells and Elhaik which works to classify individuals based on genomic ancestry from nine regions of the world. The nine regions being Northeast Asian, Mediterranean, Northern European, Sub-Saharan African and Native American.
The society began using cutting edge Helix DNA sequencing for Geno 2.0 Next Generation, the current ongoing phase of the project. Unlike earlier phases, Geno 2.0 Next Generation analyzes populations based on modern day demographics using 18 or 22 regional populations. By using a collection kit for DNA samples, Helix acquires saliva samples from participants which is later analyzed for genomic markers which offer unprecedented insight into an individual's genetic origins. After which, the data is uploaded to the DNA database.
Volunteers have been integral in participating by providing samples of DNA along with participating in citizen based scientific projects. The society actually now sells self-testing kits to members of the public which wish to become citizen scientists by providing DNA. In fact, such participation has always been advised and encouraged by different genealogical organizations which promote and report benefits from DNA based and other scientific research.
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 researchers have been successful in collecting a number of DNA samples, there has also been criticism, most notably by the Indigenous People's Council on Biocolonialism. For, it appears that some Native American tribes are concerned that DNA tests have the potential to incorrectly identify tribal members as not being indigenous to North America. As a result, not only have some Native Americans refused to provide DNA samples, many have also been boycotting corporations associated with the study including IBM and Gateway.
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