Haplotype V Represent!

February 6, 2007 7:43 PM

Trace your haplotypes at the Genographic Project, including the Atlas of the Human Journey.
posted by gimonca (8 comments total)

This overemphasis on mitochondrial and Y-chromosome DNA really annoys me. Y-chromosome DNA tells you about your father, one of your grandfathers, one of your four great-grandfathers, one of your sixteen great great great grandfathers, etc. Similarly, mitochondrial DNA only tells you about one female from each generation of ancestors. Yet most of the DNA that makes us who we are is on the autosomes and X chromosome, and comes from other ancestors who are not going to be mentioned in this study at all. I wonder why this is not made explicit on the linked web page? It's a silly publicity stunt, that is not particularly informative and could be misleading to the individuals involved, unless the meaning of "direct maternal/paternal ancestry" is more easily understood than I imagine.

In terms of the big picture, yes these studies are informative about patterns of human migration. But for an individual who might be expecting to learn about his ancesters 10,000 years ago, it should be explained that they're only getting information about two from each generation.
posted by nowonmai at 8:00 PM on February 6, 2007

But for an individual who might be expecting to learn about his ancesters 10,000 years ago, it should be explained that they're only getting information about two from each generation.

One, for women, I think.
posted by dilettante at 8:06 PM on February 6, 2007

What nonwonmai said. It is interesting to know where my father's father's father came from. But its only 1/8th of the information I'd like to know about my ancestors of that generation. And it gets worse as you go further back...
posted by vacapinta at 8:09 PM on February 6, 2007

Double, probably way more and discussed on AskMefi quite a lot. Waiting for my results...patiently.
posted by jimmythefish at 8:33 PM on February 6, 2007

(Previously tagged 'genes', which didn't show up in my search for 'genetics'. Hmph.)
posted by gimonca at 9:00 PM on February 6, 2007

link seems to be broke
posted by edgeways at 9:00 PM on February 6, 2007

This would be hot if I could trace my birthparents to my as yet unknown hometown.

I already know I'm from Africa, originally.
posted by exlotuseater at 9:03 PM on February 6, 2007

This overemphasis on mitochondrial and Y-chromosome DNA really annoys me.

Your overemphasis on humans annoys* me.

Truth is, analysis of variation in mtDNA code has been tremendously helpful in inferring the evolutionary history of species from every kingdom.

But, yeah, maybe not as helpful if you're looking to do molecular geneology.

* No, not really. Just a rhetorical thingy. No offense intended.
posted by docgonzo at 9:10 PM on February 6, 2007