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 Fall 2012, the society introduced a new array for genotyping. The system now dedicated to anthropological genetic testing has been named GenoChip. Specifically designed for testing different types of DNA, the system has helped the organization process samples more efficiently and effectively.
In 2015, another new chip was introduced through a joint effort of Vilar, the current project director, Family Tree DNA and Genographic Lead Scientists. An Admixture was also developed by Wells and Elhaik which works to classify individuals based on genomic ancestry from nine regions of the world. The nine regions being Northeast Asian, Mediterranean, Northern European, Sub-Saharan African and Native American.
The society started using a sequencing program for Geno 2.0 Next Generation, the current phase of DNA sampling. Geno 2.0 analyzes populations based on modern day demographics using between eighteen and twenty two regional populations. By using collection kits for DNA samples, the program uses participant's saliva which is analyzed for genomic and genetic markers which offers insight into an individual's genetic make-up.
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 society has been using the latest technology available since the inception of the project in 2015. In doing so, researchers are hopeful that the knowledge base related to the connection of different cultures and populations and the human story can be expanded over time. As a result, the researchers are also hopeful that the process will help in discovering new information about different human populations.
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.
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 Fall 2012, the society introduced a new array for genotyping. The system now dedicated to anthropological genetic testing has been named GenoChip. Specifically designed for testing different types of DNA, the system has helped the organization process samples more efficiently and effectively.
In 2015, another new chip was introduced through a joint effort of Vilar, the current project director, Family Tree DNA and Genographic Lead Scientists. An Admixture was also developed by Wells and Elhaik which works to classify individuals based on genomic ancestry from nine regions of the world. The nine regions being Northeast Asian, Mediterranean, Northern European, Sub-Saharan African and Native American.
The society started using a sequencing program for Geno 2.0 Next Generation, the current phase of DNA sampling. Geno 2.0 analyzes populations based on modern day demographics using between eighteen and twenty two regional populations. By using collection kits for DNA samples, the program uses participant's saliva which is analyzed for genomic and genetic markers which offers insight into an individual's genetic make-up.
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 society has been using the latest technology available since the inception of the project in 2015. In doing so, researchers are hopeful that the knowledge base related to the connection of different cultures and populations and the human story can be expanded over time. As a result, the researchers are also hopeful that the process will help in discovering new information about different human populations.
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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