Chennai, July 09: Want to know more about your
roots? Buy a DNA analysis kit from the US-based National
Geographic Society and know everything about your ancestors
and their migratory history.
The public participation kit is made available by the
society under its five-year genographic project, co-funded by
software giant IBM and the Tedd Wait Family Foundation.
The project, which began in April 2005, primarily aims
to collect and genotype at least 100,000 indigenous and
traditional DNA samples from across the world to study the
"journey of mankind".
However, it also allows people to volunteer samples
which will help them learn about their own ancestral history,
Ajay K Royyuru, a senior manager at IBM's Computational
Biology Center, told reporters.
The kit can be ordered for 99 dollars via the
internet. Cheek swab samples can be taken through a simple
process and sent to the project's research laboratory.
Over 210,000 people have so far purchased the kits,
said Royyuru.
The cheek swab samples are processed at a research
laboratory at the University of Arizona through "family tree
DNA", a leading genetic genealogy company selected to perform
the public participant testing for the project.
the project has already analysed genetic data of
78,590 public participants from around the globe.
"This is the largest, quality-controlled, open-access
DNA data bank for the world to use. Further, it has a new
computer programme that allows classification of mitochondrial
lineages with unprecedented accuracy," Royyuru said.
This programme -- nearest neighbour haplogroup
prediction tool -- is now being made publicly available with
the anonymous genetic data.
"These personal results will be stored securely and
anonymously to ensure the privacy of participants. National
Geographic Society and IBM will regularly update the public
and the scientific community on these findings through
websites," he said.
Individual participants will have an ID on the
National Geographic Society website where information can be
accessed.
The director of the project's Indian chapter, Ramasamy
Pitchappan, said researchers have been exploring whether the
analysis could be made cheaper and done in India for
participants in the country.
"However, this is a policy to be made at the global
level at all the 10 centres of the project across the globe
and we need to wait for more Indians to participate in the
project," he said.
Royyuru said: "Human DNA contains genetic markers that
are passed down from generation to generation. These markers
are small genetic mutations that can be traced to relatively
specific times and places as humans migrated around the world.
Looking at these markers, we draw conclusions about our
migratory history."
Following them through generations reveals a genetic tree on
which today's many diverse branches may be followed backward
to their common African root.
Scientists are collecting this data from people across
the globe, particularly indigenous populations, before modern
globalisation further erodes cultural groupings that could
provide the geographical and historical context for
interpreting diverse genetic patterns, Royyuru said.
The net proceeds from the sale of the genographic
project public participation kits would go to the Genographic
Legacy Fund (GLF) that will be used to benefit indigenous
people, those participating in the project and others.
"The GLF not only recognises the importance of these
communities, but aims at empowering them," he said.
The fund will award micro and macro grants of up to
USD 25,000 and USD 100,000 respectively to individuals and
groups that demonstrate a passionate commitment to improving
general awareness of indigenous and traditional cultures,
histories and heritages.
IBM and National Geographic have also developed
educational materials using the data available through the
genographic project.
Bureau Report