Tuesday, 4 June 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.

The project was created in 2005 by Spencer Wells whom also served as director until 2015. As a privately funded, not-for-profit partnership between the Waitt Foundation and the National Genographic Society, the study and DNA testing of various populations is ongoing. In the beginning phase, researchers collected DNA from various indigenous populations for analysis at eleven different regional centers around the world.

In Autumn of 2012, the project received a new array with which to use in genotyping. The array is dedicated to the study of genetic anthropology and has been provided the name of GenoChip. Designed specifically as a tool for genotyping, the array has the capability of testing a multitude of DNA types.

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 cutting edge Helix DNA sequencing for Geno 2.0 Next Generation, the current ongoing phase of the project. Unlike earlier phases, Geno 2.0 Next Generation analyzes populations based on modern day demographics using 18 or 22 regional populations. By using a collection kit for DNA samples, Helix acquires saliva samples from participants which is later analyzed for genomic markers which offer unprecedented insight into an individual's genetic origins. After which, the data is uploaded to the DNA database.

Volunteers have played a vital role in providing DNA samples and participating in projects as citizen scientists. As a result, the society now sells self-testing kits to individuals whom wish to participate in the study. As a method of advertising and outreach to the public, different genealogical organizations are promoting benefits of these and other scientific research programs.

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 the project has seen a lot of success, there has also been a great deal of criticism. For example, the Indigenous People's Council on Biocolonialism or IPCB provided a press release which criticized the project due to the connection to a number of controversial issues. In one case, tribes suggested that DNA testing might show that some tribes were not indigenous to North America and recommended tribal members avoid participating. Whereas, indigenous populations also began boycotting the project as well as corporations involved such as Gateway and IBM.




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