Post by Dienekes on Nov 25, 2003 19:39:40 GMT -5
(11-24-2003) - In every person's genetic makeup there is information about where their ancestors came from. A new test that can be done in your own home can tell you a lot about the people who came before you and the things they contributed to your DNA. We follow a set of sisters, adopted from two different families, on a quest to learn more about themselves.
When you look at Ann Marie Spaulding and Mary Clauser, you might think that these sisters come from the same blood line.
“We know there are definite differences between us, but when you look at some of our pictures, especially when we were teenagers, we looked alike and people would see us in school and say oh you must be Mary's sister, and yeah, but I'm not...and she wants to deny it sometimes, oh she's not my sister!” said Ann Marie Spaulding.
In fact, these women were both adopted from different families and were never given any concrete facts about their genetic pasts.
“I always wanted to know why I am the way I am, why I look the way I do, if someone could say they're Hispanic or German, we didn't know what to say,” said Mary Clauser.
Both Mary and Ann Marie now have children, and they agree it would be nice to have some ancestral information to pass along.
The "ancestry by DNA" test uses a cheek swab to gather a genetic sample. It's fast and accurate within a few percentage points.
LOCAL 8 followed the samples to Sarasota, Florida and the DNA Print Genomics lab. Scientists there can match DNA with a solid database to discover the ancestral composition in each individual person. The results reveal what percentage of your ancestors come from four major regions of the world.
“We've done the research, we've scanned the human genome to find the biogeographical markers and the results from your DNA may surprise you,” said Dr. Tony Frudakis who is the founder of DNA Print Genomics.
LOCAL 8 found that samples taken as an example from San Diego Police department employees can be deceiving.
For instance, one man looks Hispanic, but is actually an even mix of European, Native American and East Asian descent.
Also, one woman is African, but she is also is 31 percent European.
For Ann Marie and Mary any result will be a new piece of the puzzle they have never had - until now.
Ann Marie found out she is 100 percent Indo-European.
“I never thought it would come back that I was of pure ethnic background. I thought for sure I'd have other stuff in there, I don't know if it's good or bad, it's just the way I am...and now at least I know,” Ann Marie said.
Mary's results also came back 100 percent European
And as it turns out these adopted sisters have more in common, genetically, than they ever thought.
It turns out that only 30 percent of people end up belonging solely to one ancestral group.
The scientists at DNA Print Genomics say a mixture of backgrounds is really "more" common, in the U.S. population. In fact, the average African American is at least 20 percent European.
The company says it will have a test that is even more specific by the end of next year.
If you'd like to get your own DNA surprise, you can order the test online. It costs $158 and includes a CD Rom with your results.
www.kfmb.com/healthcast/details.php?storyID=20169
When you look at Ann Marie Spaulding and Mary Clauser, you might think that these sisters come from the same blood line.
“We know there are definite differences between us, but when you look at some of our pictures, especially when we were teenagers, we looked alike and people would see us in school and say oh you must be Mary's sister, and yeah, but I'm not...and she wants to deny it sometimes, oh she's not my sister!” said Ann Marie Spaulding.
In fact, these women were both adopted from different families and were never given any concrete facts about their genetic pasts.
“I always wanted to know why I am the way I am, why I look the way I do, if someone could say they're Hispanic or German, we didn't know what to say,” said Mary Clauser.
Both Mary and Ann Marie now have children, and they agree it would be nice to have some ancestral information to pass along.
The "ancestry by DNA" test uses a cheek swab to gather a genetic sample. It's fast and accurate within a few percentage points.
LOCAL 8 followed the samples to Sarasota, Florida and the DNA Print Genomics lab. Scientists there can match DNA with a solid database to discover the ancestral composition in each individual person. The results reveal what percentage of your ancestors come from four major regions of the world.
“We've done the research, we've scanned the human genome to find the biogeographical markers and the results from your DNA may surprise you,” said Dr. Tony Frudakis who is the founder of DNA Print Genomics.
LOCAL 8 found that samples taken as an example from San Diego Police department employees can be deceiving.
For instance, one man looks Hispanic, but is actually an even mix of European, Native American and East Asian descent.
Also, one woman is African, but she is also is 31 percent European.
For Ann Marie and Mary any result will be a new piece of the puzzle they have never had - until now.
Ann Marie found out she is 100 percent Indo-European.
“I never thought it would come back that I was of pure ethnic background. I thought for sure I'd have other stuff in there, I don't know if it's good or bad, it's just the way I am...and now at least I know,” Ann Marie said.
Mary's results also came back 100 percent European
And as it turns out these adopted sisters have more in common, genetically, than they ever thought.
It turns out that only 30 percent of people end up belonging solely to one ancestral group.
The scientists at DNA Print Genomics say a mixture of backgrounds is really "more" common, in the U.S. population. In fact, the average African American is at least 20 percent European.
The company says it will have a test that is even more specific by the end of next year.
If you'd like to get your own DNA surprise, you can order the test online. It costs $158 and includes a CD Rom with your results.
www.kfmb.com/healthcast/details.php?storyID=20169
