Tuesday, June 4, 2019

Discovering The National Genographic Project

By Ronald Watson


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 announced a new genotyping array which has been dedicated to genetic anthropology known as GenoChip. The array is designed specifically for anthropological testing and includes mitochondrial DNA, Y-chromosome DNA, X-chromosome DNA, and SNPs from autosomal DNA. The new chip's design was a collaboration between Illumina, Family Tree DNA, Eran Elhaik of John Hopkins and Wells of National Geographic.

A second new chip was introduced in 2015 in which Genographic Lead Scientists, Vilar and Family Tree joined forces. In addition, a test known as Admixture was developed by Wells and Elhaik which works to classify individuals based on an assessment of genomic ancestral factors related to different regions of the world. Between the new chips and this new test, the society has made a great deal more progress when it comes to testing and sorting different types of DNA.

The society began using Helix DNA sequencing for the first time in Geno 2.0 Next Generation. Unlike earlier phases, the current phase is focused on analyzing populations based on modern day demographics using between eighteen and twenty-two populations. By collecting DNA samples from these groups, Helix acquires samples of saliva from participants which is then analyzed for genetic and genomic markers.

Since the beginning, volunteers have been participating by providing DNA samples along with participating in citizen scientific projects. The Genographic Society now sells non-profit self-testing kits to members of the public whom wish to participate as citizen scientists. As a method of outreach to the general public, participation has often been encouraged by a number of genealogical organizations which are seeking to promote benefits from different research programs and 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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