Analyzing and Strategizing with Genetic Genealogy Test Results- Discussion and Application

Analyzing and Strategizing with Genetic Genealogy Test Results- Discussion and Application

DNA is packaged into chromosomes inside the nucleus of a cell. Humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes. The first 22 are called autosomal chromosomes or autosomes. Autosomal DNA (atDNA) is inherited equally from both parents. Additionally, before a child inherits each autosome, the autosome first undergoes a process called recombination, whereby it is randomly shuffled (Genetic Science Learning Center, 2016).

Understanding Genetic Relationships

Sharing segments of DNA indicates that Mary and Susan share a common ancestor. However, additional information such as total shared centiMorgans (cMs) would help determine the type of relationship between them. For instance, an average of 246cMs indicates a second-cousins relationship (“The Genetic Genealogist,” 2015).

Steps in Analyzing Mary and Susan’s Relationship

Studying the recombination patterns in their chromosomes 5, 12 and 14.

Analyzing the recombination events in these chromosomes (5, 12 and 14).

Determining the total shared cMs.

Studying their family trees separately.

Placing them in one family tree.

Additional Tests

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) testing would also help to understand Mary and Susan’s relationship. mtDNA is inherited maternally with very minimal mutations. Consequently, it provides information about deep ancestry. For instance, if Mary and Susan belong to the same haplogroup after mtDNA testing, it would indicate that they originate from an identical maternal ancestor.

Tackling the Brick Walls

Having a similar maternal line brick wall indicates that Mary and Susan possibly share a maternal ancestor. Therefore, administering them to mtDNA tests would help elucidate their umbilical lineage. Alternatively, having an identical paternal brick wall would suggest they share a paternal ancestor. X-DNA is inherited from both parents. Furthermore, the X chromosome from the mother undergoes recombination while the one from the father does not. Therefore, it would help to explain their paternal lineage.

Conclusion

Genetic genealogy involves carrying out various DNA tests; atDNA, X-DNA, and mtDNA. atDNA test interpretation involves analysis of shared segments of DNA and the number of centiMorgans. Further, mtDNA result interpretation involves analyzing haplogroups. Lastly, genetic genealogy involves studying the family trees of individuals in question.

References

Genetic Science Learning Center. (2016). Introduction to Molecular Genealogy [Video]. Retrieved 25 November 2021, from http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/basics/molgen/.

The Genetic Genealogist, Visualizing Data from the Shared cM Project. Thegeneticgenealogist.com. (2015). Retrieved 25 November 2021, from http://www.thegeneticgenealogist.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Shared-cM-Project-Image-2.png.

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In this activity, you will interpret and analyze genetic genealogy test results returned from the testing company. You can also formulate and apply a strategic testing plan using DNA to analyze a genealogical question.

Engage in the two discussion questions that follow. Read the accompanying rubric before posting for the best grading results and to shape the discussions. Post at least one original comment and two thoughtful responses to classmates in each discussion. The discussion board will open on the first Monday and stay open throughout the module, closing when the module does. Posting your original comments no later than Thursday night gives your classmates time to respond and maximizes your possible points.

Analyzing and Strategizing with Genetic Genealogy Test Results- Discussion and Application

For the following question, assume that Mary and Susan share the segments of DNA on chromosomes 5, 12, and 14.

Discussion Question #1: What other information might be helpful as you try to understand the relationship between Mary and Susan? Mary and Susan are in contact with each other, and are willing to share their family trees with each other. Without including additional DNA testing as a step, design a plan with at least 5 steps to analyze Mary and Susan’s relationship.

For the next question, assume that Mary and Susan have not taken any other DNA tests, and none of their close family members have taken a DNA test.

Discussion Question #2: Is it possible that additional DNA testing might help elucidate the relationship between Mary and Susan? What possible scenarios might additional DNA testing of any type add to the information gathered on their relationship?

Assume that Mary and Susan compare their family trees and both have an umbilical line (mother’s mother’s mother’s…mother) brick wall at 6 generations with the surname Underhill. Alternatively, assume that Mary and Susan trace their trees and have a paternal (father’s father’s father’s father) brick wall at 5 generations with the surname Rogerson. Describe what these scenarios would mean with regard to their possible relationship, and what test(s) would they take to pursue these avenues?

You are encouraged to practice using the Chicago Manual of Style (16th edition; 2010) of formatting and Evidence Explained (3rd edition; 2015) citations within your submission. However, you will not be graded on your ability to use these formatting methods.