Navigation Links
Genetic ancestral testing cannot deliver on its promise, study warns
Date:10/18/2007

Berkeley -- For many Americans, the potential to track one's DNA to a specific country, region or tribe with a take-home kit is highly alluring. But while the popularity of genetic ancestry testing is rising - particularly among African Americans - the technology is flawed and could spawn unwelcome societal consequences, according to researchers from several institutions nationwide, including the University of California, Berkeley.

"Because race has such profound social, political and economic consequences, we should be wary of allowing the concept to be redefined in a way that obscures its historical roots and disconnects from its cultural and socioeconomic context," says the article to be published today (Thursday, Oct. 18) in the journal Science.

The article recommends that the American Society of Human Genetics and other genetic and anthropological associations develop policy statements that make clear the limitations and potential dangers of genetic ancestry testing.

Among the potentially problematic byproducts of widespread genetic ancestry testing: questionable claims of membership to Native American tribes for financial or other benefits; patients asking doctors to take ancestry tests into consideration when making medical decisions; and skewed census data due to people changing ethnicity on government forms.

Moreover, many Americans are emotionally invested in finding an ancestral homeland, and thus vulnerable to a test that can produce mixed results at best and false leads at worse. "This search for a homeland is particularly poignant for African Americans, who hope to recapture a history stolen by slavery," the study points out.

"It can give them false hope," said UC Berkeley sociology professor Troy Duster, who coauthored the study with researchers from the University of Texas, Harvard University, New York University, Yale University, Wellesley College, Arizona State University, University of North Caroli
'/>"/>

Contact: Yasmin Anwar
yanwar@berkeley.edu
510-643-7944
University of California - Berkeley
Source:Eurekalert

0

GOOD

Page: 1 2 3 4

Related biology news :

1. Novel Asthma Study Shows Multiple Genetic Input Required; Single-gene Solution Shot Down
2. Its not all genetic: Common epigenetic problem doubles cancer risk in mice
3. Scientists detect probable genetic cause of some Parkinsons disease cases
4. Mouse brain tumors mimic those in human genetic disorder
5. Genetically modified natural killer immune cells attack, kill leukemia cells
6. Scientists identify genetic pathways essential to RNA interference
7. Ants Genetic Engineering Leads To Species Interdependency
8. Researchers trace evolution to relatively simple genetic changes
9. Genetic Variation Visualization - From EMBL
10. Genetically modified rice in China benefits farmers health, study finds
11. Key mechanism in genetic inheritance during cell division identified

Post Your Comments:
*Name:
*Comment:
*Email:
(Date:12/1/2009)...ust for listening to the radio anymore. They,re us...Research from North Carolina State University is r...ng shape-shifting antennas that open the door to a...fety to military deployment. , Modern antennas a... limitations to how far they can be bent and how ...
(Date:11/30/2009)...ganisation is needed to monitor the commitments th...gen to cut their deforestation rates, according to... government agencies and research groups have fail...images of the Earth,s surface collected each week ...blished by Dr Alan Grainger in the Proceedings of...
(Date:11/30/2009)...s of gravy and dessert at the holiday table are ev...y thought. According to a new research report rece...p://www.fasebj.org ), a diet that is high in fat a...tely cause our bodies to store too much fat. This ...the already difficult task of converting high-fat ...
Breaking Biology News(10 mins):Shape shifters: Researchers create new breed of antennas 2World forest observatory needed to monitor vital role of forests in climate deal 2Happy holidays from the groaning board; Western diets turn on fat genes 2John Theurer Cancer Center and Leukemia 26 Lymphoma Society Highlight Upcoming Trends in Hematological Malignancies 57791 1John Theurer Cancer Center and Leukemia 26 Lymphoma Society Highlight Upcoming Trends in Hematological Malignancies 57791 2John Theurer Cancer Center and Leukemia 26 Lymphoma Society Highlight Upcoming Trends in Hematological Malignancies 57791 3Novel Information about Vulnerable Coronary Artery Plaque to be Presented at Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics 28TCT 29 2009 57787 1Novel Information about Vulnerable Coronary Artery Plaque to be Presented at Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics 28TCT 29 2009 57787 2Novel Information about Vulnerable Coronary Artery Plaque to be Presented at Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics 28TCT 29 2009 57787 3Clean Hands Report Card 28R 29 3A Americans Get a B on Hand Hygiene 57783 1Clean Hands Report Card 28R 29 3A Americans Get a B on Hand Hygiene 57783 2Clean Hands Report Card 28R 29 3A Americans Get a B on Hand Hygiene 57783 3
...tist Peter Jezewski, DDS, Ph.D., has revealed that...s (,modules,) within ancient master control genes ...ders. Tracing the history of these changes within ... past 600 million years has also provided addition...uth. , Dr. Jezewski has published an important s...
... the Great Plains has become more challenging in r...tal change, including the positive responses of in... growing seasons, says a University of Colorado at...thy Seastedt of CU-Boulder,s ecology and evolution...g season, increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide ...
...the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine ha...lls, known as beta cells, to replicate robustly in...very not only could improve models and methods for...ities for treating the condition. , "Most scienti...could not be induced to regenerate, or could only ...
Other Biology News:Scientists uncover evolutionary keys to common birth disorders 2Invasive plants challenge scientists in face of environmental change 2Invasive plants challenge scientists in face of environmental change 3Human beta cells can be easily induced to replicate, according to study in Diabetes 2
(Date:12/1/2009)... DNA Genotek, a leading provider of p...nounced that Tepnel Pharmaceutical Services will o...rt of its nucleic acid extraction and genotyping s...EB) December 1, 2009 -- DNA Genotek , a leading p...on, today announced that Tepnel Pharmaceutical Se...
(Date:12/1/2009)... Michael R. Drapp, a 34-year veteran ...ge™ Technologies, a business development and...on the emerging nanotechnology space. The company...d act as a nanotechnology incubator. , ...9 -- Michael R. Drapp , a 34-year veteran of the ...
(Date:11/30/2009)... NEW YORK, Nov. 30 The ... (MJFF) today announced $1.5 million in total awar...ially disease-modifying therapies for Parkinson,s ...Approaches to Drug Discovery for Parkinson,s Disea...rporation, plc (NYSE: ELN ), a neuroscience-base...
(Date:11/30/2009)..., CHANGCHUN, China and LOS ANGELES, Nov. 30 /...ceuticals, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: CYXN; ,China ...ing manufacturer, distributor and,retailer of phar... it has,completed preparation for distribution of ...he Chinese government recently formalized the nati...
Breaking Biology Technology:Tepnel Pharmaceutical Services to Offer DNA Genotek's Sample Collection Kit in its Nucleic Acid Extraction and Genotyping Service 2Tepnel Pharmaceutical Services to Offer DNA Genotek's Sample Collection Kit in its Nucleic Acid Extraction and Genotyping Service 3Silicon Valley Veteran Launches New Venture on the “nanoEdge” of the Emerging Nanotechnology Revolution 2Silicon Valley Veteran Launches New Venture on the “nanoEdge” of the Emerging Nanotechnology Revolution 3Silicon Valley Veteran Launches New Venture on the “nanoEdge” of the Emerging Nanotechnology Revolution 4The Michael J. Fox Foundation Announces $1.5 Million in Funding to Advance Development of Drug Targets for Disease-Modifying Parkinson's Disease Treatments 2The Michael J. Fox Foundation Announces $1.5 Million in Funding to Advance Development of Drug Targets for Disease-Modifying Parkinson's Disease Treatments 3China Yongxin Pharmaceuticals Inc. to Distribute Medicines on the Essential Drug List 2China Yongxin Pharmaceuticals Inc. to Distribute Medicines on the Essential Drug List 3
...rv, which provides software and services to the fi...irst-quarter revenues in 2006 were up 13 percent t...wn slightly from the $140 million the company made...evenues. , ,Fiserve,s activities in the first quar...mmon stock and breaking into the Fortune 500. Thou...
... the more hopeful promises of stem cells is the cr...mand that is not being met by organ donation. But ...l Symposium that high hopes could lead to backlash...among investors if nobody can make money on them. ...ls could be used in the medical and pharmaceutical...
...Miszewski doesn,t look like a man on the hot seat,...oyle hired to manage the State of Wisconsin,s info...eport Thursday on the troubled project, now the su...r Optimization" program at the Concourse Hotel. ,...iszewski said the challenges facing the ambitious ...
Other Biology Technology:Stem cells raise hopes, but is there money in them? 2Stem cells raise hopes, but is there money in them? 3Miszewski touts benefits of IT integration 2Miszewski touts benefits of IT integration 3
MitoCapture Apoptosis Detection Kit from BioVision
Hum Bug Noise Eliminator from AutoMate Scientific, Inc
ValveLink8 Pinch Valve Perfusion System from AutoMate Scientific, Inc
...olumns, 10. *SizeSep 400 Spun Columns: For rapid ...s in length. - *Prepacked with Sepharose CL-...ing 0.15% Kathon CG/IcP Biocide. *Remove all cDNA...l in the construction of size-selected cDNA librar...
Biology Products: