DNA Consultants Home of the DNA Fingerprint

At a time when it seemed that American science had bitten off more than it could chew with the Human Genome Project, Craig Venter and his innovative company published "A New Strategy for Genome Sequencing." Appearing in the journal Nature in 1996, the Venter multi-center approach bypassed laborious gene mapping and allowed the HGP to meet its goal of full sequence information on the human genome in 2000.

"In the race to sequence the human genome," write the editors of Nature's DNA Technologies Milestones, "research groups had to choose between the random whole genome shotgun sequencing approach or the more ordered map-based sequencing approach." The choice of randomness versus order was present from 1982, but the Venter strategy was resisted for many years. Finally, in 1996 it was accepted and given an equal emphasis with the more orthodox approach.

After a standoff between the two groups of scientists, "a showdown ensued, with the biotechnology firm Celera Genomics wielding whole-genome shotgun sequencing and the International Human Genome Sequencing Consortium wielding map-based sequencing. Yet when the dust settled, it was a draw -- both groups published their initial drafts of the human genome concurrently in 2001."

The maverick technology helped make high throughput genomic sequencing at commercial labs an economy reality and gave birth to a range of new DNA tests within the reach of ordinary consumers like you and me. Today, fifteen years later, those interested in autosomal ancestry testing and personal genomics have biologist and entrepreneur Craig Venter and his irascible persistence as a scientific pioneer to thank.

Discussion is accelerating in the United States and European Union to regulate private genomic testing that provides consumers medical information, according to Science magazine and the European Journal of Human Genetics. No mention is made in the reams of white papers about ancestry testing, but some of the pitfalls and bureaucratic morasses in the thinking about true genetic/medical testing are fairly ominous, if not silly.

"Although there has been speculation about the potential psychosocial harms of testing [that is, genomic medical testing], such as an increase in anxiety or encouragement of fatalistic behavior, there are, to date, few studies addressing these concerns," writes the reporters for Policy Forum in the Oct. 8 issue of Science. "The limited evidence tends to be reassuring, even for risk information associated with relatively serious ailments...however, the scope for potential harm from unnecessary or unproven treatment after genetic risk assessment is an important unstudied question" (pp. 181f.).

We commend scientists and physicians for finding a new field of study divorced from reality but have to wonder what they will do about ancestry testing once they have conquered and tamed Frankenstein's elder monster. We suggest the following guidelines:

• Labeling on Internet sites and Zen Shopping Carts that explicitly states, "The claims for this ancestry product have not been evaluated by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC), House Energy and Commerce Committee, Food and Drug Administration, National Institutes for Health or Department of Bioethics and Humanities, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195 USA."
• Predictive ancestry information may be hazardous to your progeny.
• No animal has been harmed in the production or clinical evaluation of this ancestry test.
• If you discover you have ancestry you did not expect, take a deep breath. Then take a healthy dose of skepticism, followed by two aspirins and a glass of water.

DNA Consultants’ 18 Marker Ethnic Panel Reveals Native American, Jewish, Other Hard-to-Find Lines in Your Family Tree

PHOENIX – (April 7, 2010) – The market leader in autosomal DNA testing for ancestry, DNA Consultants announced that it has introduced the latest enhancement to its DNA Fingerprint Test™ ancestry tool. The add-on to its popular all-in-one ancestry tracing product is called the 18 Marker Ethnic Panel and sells for $50.00.

“With the 18 Marker Ethnic Panel, you can easily verify Native American, Ashkenazi Jewish, African and other ethnic lines that may be hidden in your family tree,” said Donald Yates, the company’s founder and principal scientist. “If you get a check mark for Native American marker I or II from either parent, you have Native American ancestry…it’s that simple.”

Like the DNA Fingerprint Test upon which it is based, the 18 Marker Ethnic Panel uses the same unique DNA profile familiar from television police shows like CSI. The markers were discovered by the company last August after statistical validation showing they reflected population splits in early human migrations.

“We’re not talking about ancient history,” said Yates. “These markers reflect recent genetic contributions to your overall ethnic mix within a relatively shallow time frame of about the last ten generations.” The reason, he said, was that Native American and the other types of DNA are “so distinctive their genetic signature lasts and never completely goes away.”

The 18 Markers include tell-tale evidence for Native American, Mediterranean, East European, Ashkenazi Jewish, Sub-Saharan African, Asian and several other definitive ethnic groups.

 “The test doesn’t tell you how much of that ancestry you have,” Yates added. “It only tells you if you have it, even if it is a minor line.” The panel also reports whether you have a given ethnic heritage from one parent or both.

To obtain the 18 Marker Ethnic Panel you must first order or submit results from a DNA Fingerprint Test. The core test is a comprehensive analysis of all your ancestral lines and gives you matches to populations and countries around the world where you have accumulations of ancestry. It sells for $250.00. Combined with the new 18 Marker Ethnic Panel, the test is called DNA Fingerprint Plus and costs $300.00.

Order online at dnaconsultants.com or call toll free 1-888-806-2588.

For more information, maps and sample report, visit DNA Consultants’ product page for the DNA Fingerprint Plus at:

http://dnaconsultants.com/_product_60282/DNA_Fingerprint_Plus.

DNA Consultants’ complete and total ancestry analysis is based on human prehistory but detects recent ethnic contributions to your DNA.

Donald Yates discovered

new DNA markers in 2009.

Ethnic admixture markers included in the DNA Fingerprint Plus 18 Marker Ethnic Panel range from Native American to Sub-Saharan African.

Press Release dated April 7, 2010

DNA Consultants

Home of the DNA Fingerprint Test

26438 N. 42^nd Way

Phoenix, AZ 85050

Tel. (480) 292-9820

Website:  www.dnaconsultants.com