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Understanding DNA Tests and Our Science
An Overview of DNA Testing
Which Test is Right For Me?
FAQs about Various Tests
Our Experts
Our Laboratories
Glossary
Peoples of the World (photo album)
Books for Sale on Site
References and Suggestions for Further Reading
An Overview of DNA Testing for Genealogy
Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is the biological material that contains the blueprint and instructions for all function and development of living organisms. By examining and analyzing DNA, we can compare your genes to those of millions of people all over the planet. DNA analysis can be used for many purposes; we use it to provide genealogical information about your ancestry.The DNA Fingerprint Test will analyze your DNA sample against 16 standard STR markers, also called CODIS markers. (CODIS stands for Combined DNA Index System, and it probably sounds familiar if you watch any of television’s popular procedural crime shows like CSI.) You can learn more about CODIS at the FBI website.
CODIS markers are also used in relationship testing such as paternity tests. See what samples can be used.
Other tests look for different markers in your DNA. The Premium Male determines 43 marker values or alleles in your Y chromosome (provided you are a male). The Premium Female establishes the mutations in two control regions of the mitochondrial DNA passed to you by your mother. Learn more about Male, Female and Combo tests.
There are many tests available but which one to take will depend on your particular research goals. Take our DNA Wizard Quiz to learn which products are right for you.
Our staff members are degreed professionals in history, philology and the social sciences, and they can translate your number sets into a meaningful historical story, based on extensive knowledge of world history, population studies and genealogy sources. Your DNA analysis will be customized for your personal research goals. This creates a superior ancestry research experience – with a report that you can actually read and understand.
Sorenson works hard to maintain an excellent reputation for providing reliable DNA testing services. Following are some of the activities and accreditations the laboratory participates in:
Which Test is Right For Me?
In the past, using DNA to research one’s ancestry was dependent on which gender of relative was available to test, and then the results were confined to just the “outside” male-male or female-female lines. Today, there are other options, including the ability to test one’s entire genome, regardless of gender. Genome-wide testing with the DNA Fingerprint Test reflects your entire ancestry.There are many tests available but which one to take will depend on your particular research goals. Take our DNA Wizard Quiz to learn which products are right for you.
FAQs about Various Tests
General FAQs
FAQs about the DNA Fingerprint Plus
About the DNA Fingerprint Test
Our Experts
The geneticists at our laboratories are some of the best in the world. But, we don’t stop at the list of numbers produced by the lab work.Our staff members are degreed professionals in history, philology and the social sciences, and they can translate your number sets into a meaningful historical story, based on extensive knowledge of world history, population studies and genealogy sources. Your DNA analysis will be customized for your personal research goals. This creates a superior ancestry research experience – with a report that you can actually read and understand.
Our Laboratories
DNA Consultants uses Sorenson Genomics of Salt Lake City, Utah, a world-renowned bioinformatics and genomics laboratory. Sorenson is widely regarded as a global industry in genetic and forensic testing.Sorenson works hard to maintain an excellent reputation for providing reliable DNA testing services. Following are some of the activities and accreditations the laboratory participates in:
- The AABB Relationship Testing Accreditation Program is based on standards for the performance of tests for parentage and other relationships and provides for the assessment and accreditation of laboratories performing relationship testing. Sorenson Genomics has been accredited since December 11, 2003.
- ISO 17025:2005 - ISO is a network of national standard institutes from 148 countries working in partnership with international organizations, governments, industry, business and consumer representatives. Sorenson maintains the most stringent standards of any laboratory in its category. It is also certified to perform forensic testing and analysis through its business unit Sorenson Forensics. L-A-B Accredited Certificate #L2201.
- The NIST Biotechnology program is to advance the commercialization of biotechnology by developing the scientific/engineering technical base, reliable measurements, standards, data and models to enable U.S. industry to quickly and economically produce biochemical products with appropriate quality control. In addition to adopting NIST standards, Sorenson uses NIST Standard Reference Materials to ensure consistent results.
- Proficiency Testing Programs. Sorenson Genomics also participates in proficiency testing programs designed to improve standards and practices among genetic testing laboratories and businesses.
Glossary
Want to know more about any of the terms you have seen on our site? Visit our glossary of genealogy definitions, for more information about the science behind genetic testing, in language you can understand.Peoples of the World
Watch a presentation with the faces of 140 people from around the world.
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Books for Sale on Site
Books and Literature
References and Suggestions for Further Reading
Popular Books and Articles on DNA and History, including Famous Cases
Technical Literature on Genotyping, including OmniPop and Forensic Literature
By Elizabeth C. Hirschman and Donald N. Panther-Yates
Yates & Hirschman, "DNA Haplotyping and Diversity"
Donald N. Yates and Elizabeth Caldwell Hirschman, "DNA Haplotyping and persity: An Anthropogenealogical Method for Researching Lineages and Family Ethnicity." Paper published in the Proceedings of the Fourth International Conference on persity in Organisations, Communities and Nations, Los Angeles, Calif., July 6-9, 2004. PURCHASE for $3.70 (pdf file) or $7.40 (bound offprint).
The Major Mitochondrial Haplogroups of Europe
Copyright Argus Biosciences.
Human mitochondrial DNA haplogroup migrations. Courtesy The New York Times.