National Geographic genographic project needs human participants

[Jul]

(h/t scapeartist) here's a link to the National Geographic Genographic Project. (https://www5.nationalgeographic.com/genographic/index.html)

Here's some basic info from their FAQs:
National Geographic and IBM are embarking on a landmark five-year study that will assemble the world's largest collection of DNA samples to map how humankind populated the planet.

The Genographic Project will use sophisticated computer analysis of DNA contributed by hundreds of thousands of people—including indigenous populations and the general public—to reveal man's migratory history and to better understand the connections and differences that make up the human race.

The Genographic Project has three core components:
Field Research—The core of the project is the collection of blood samples from indigenous populations, whose DNA contains key genetic markers that have remained relatively unaltered over hundreds of generations making them reliable indicators of ancient migratory patterns. Dr. Wells and a group of 10 scientists from prominent international institutions will conduct the field and laboratory research. One additional research center will focus on analyzing DNA from ancient remains. The Waitt Family Foundation is funding this component of the Genographic Project. An international advisory board will oversee the selection of indigenous populations for testing as well as adherence to strict sampling and research protocols.

Public Participation and Awareness Campaign—The general public can take part in the project by purchasing a Genographic Project Public Participation Kit and submitting their own cheek swab sample, allowing them to track the overall progress of the project as well as learn their own migratory history. These personal results are stored anonymously to protect the privacy of participants. National Geographic will regularly update the public and the scientific community on project findings, including through the website and through National Geographic's many other media platforms worldwide.

Genographic Legacy Project—Proceeds from the sale of the Genographic Public Participation Kits help fund future field research and a legacy project, which will build on National Geographic's 117-year-long focus on world cultures. The legacy project will support education and cultural preservation projects among participating indigenous groups.

The 10 research centers are located around the world and will represent their respective regions. The centers are located in Australia (Australia/Pacific), Brazil (South America), China (East/Southeast Asia), France (Western/Central Europe), India, Lebanon (Middle East/North Africa), Russia (North Eurasia), South Africa (Sub-Saharan Africa), the United Kingdom (Western/Central Europe), and the United States (North America).

Just reading through the information on this project, I was getting my geek :thud: on. I had heard about the testing of the indigenous peoples, but not of the inclusion of other participants. I think I'm going to convince my family and extended family to participate.. I think it's worth it and the science that will come out of it will be facinating :D

Pass on the word, if you think you know anybody that would be interested. ;)

[eta_carinae]

wait... if you're the average American mutt, can you still participate? Guess if I read the link it would probably tell me...

[AgentSun]

this is a government conspiracy!!

[divinedaydreams]

Well since the military already has my DNA on file, I don't think giving these guys a sample will hurt.





edited so it would make sense :rolleyes:

[LiLOrion]

Very cool and interesting.

[Frunium Slip]

and we might be able to weed out a few cylons...

[BrowderChick]

I was considering doing this through another project. I wanted to do more research first. I do alot of genealogy work and I think this is really cool.

[jagwriter78]

That's an interesting project indeed. I always was thinking about that ever since my sister needed a bone marrow transplant and the only registered compatible person on this planet was from over the big pond.... There's gotta be some DNA links there....

[BrowderChick]

Most of them prefer the males only.

[Boron]

wait... if you're the average American mutt, can you still participate? Guess if I read the link it would probably tell me...

I wouldn't worry about that. Most all of us ARE mutts of some sort or another. (excluding those isolated indigenous peoples). I think of myself as being of British (isles) descent, but if you look at British history you will see they were intermingled with the Vikings, Saxons (Germanic), French and others. Ever hear of the Black Irish?? Decendants of the Spanish sailors that survived the Spanish Armada thing in the 1500's. They made it to Ireland and stayed there, marrying into the local populace. I think all this stuff is fascinating.....

[Xev]

Ever hear of the Black Irish??

Some guy at the library, that for whatever reason started talking to me and would not stop, told me that I looked like I was of "Black Irish" descent. And since I didn't know what that meant, he had an actual reason to talk to me even more.

I find all that stuff fascinating too. I'd love to participate in this study thing.

Edited: As far as I can tell I have no Irish ancestry at all, just lotsa other European stuff (English, Swedish, Danish, French, the list goes on and on).

[Boron]

Yep, the "Black Irish" were descendants of Spanish sailors and the local girls, I guess. I think they were called "Black Irish" because they tended to have very dark hair, and most of the people had either light brown, red, or blondish hair. I love history like that.

[Xev]

Yep. I have dark hair and fair skin and freckles so I can see why the guy might have thought that's what I was.

[Boron]

I always wondered if very dark-haired europeans possibly had some Spanish or Italian ancestors, My own family is fair-skinned and very dark-haired.

[Xev]

Yep, that's where the mystery for me lies...My dark features, like very dark hair, and pure black eyebrows/lashes, totally come from my English Grandfathers side, but I can't find out where that family line came from before they were in England (I can only find like 3 generations back).

[Boron]

Keep in mind the English empire was worldwide at one point. Hence the saying, "The sun never sets on the British empire".

[LiLOrion]

Yep, the "Black Irish" were descendants of Spanish sailors and the local girls, I guess. I think they were called "Black Irish" because they tended to have very dark hair, and most of the people had either light brown, red, or blondish hair. I love history like that.


Well, this is the first time I'm hearing the term.
My mother's side of the family is Irish and I inherited her very dark brown hair, yet fair Irish skin. I burn like a lobster in the sun.

[Boron]

You are possibly a candidate, as is myself. Just a little piece of human history.

[TalynLives]

Working in IBM at the moment and we had a big lecture on this. It sounds very interesting and I'm seriously considering paying the $100 (minus the IBM employee discount, which I'm still trying to track down) in order to get a testing kit for myself.

Apparently practically everyone alive today has common ancestors in the Middle East. Us Irish have direct ancestary from there. Of course, we also have Viking Blood, Saxon blood, Celtic blood etc. Before that, humankind emerged out of Africa. They were forced to move East rather than West because it was the Ice Age at the time of their migration, and the climate to the East was warmer.

[Boron]

This discussion brings to mind the story of Joseph of Arimathea (sp) and his migration to southern Britain or Wales in biblical times.

[Xev]

Boron, stop being a tease ;)....You know you have to share the story now. (Even though I'm leaving work now and won't be able to read it until tonight....)

[Boron]

I thought most everyone knew that story. I will tell it if someone else wants to hear it. I know it's been on the history channel.

[kechara420]

I too am seriously considering doing this. I might also get a kit for my nephew, as he is totally fascinated with all kinds of science and history stuff. Being able to look at our results together would be a WAY cool birthday present for him ... and educational, too, which I am strongly in favor of! :aok:

[eta_carinae]

That is interesting about the Irish thing.

My Dad is from Ireland and had jet black hair. I say had because it's either white or fallen out at this point :lol

I ended up with an ugly mop of "almost-brown" blonde :yuck: Couldn't get the cool black hair of my Dad, or the awesome Swedish-blonde of my Mom :shrug:

[BrowderChick]

My fathers side is German and English and my moms side is German and French. Quite a combo. :) Ive done very extensive research on all sides and Ive found some very interesting information. I have alot of fun doing this. Its interesting to see who and where you came from and all the history that comes with it. You would be surprised who you end up being linked to. :D

[Boron]

I've been an amatuer geneaologist for many years. I love it. I finally got to the point where I had nothing but brick walls left. My earliest ancestor hit America in 1643.

[Kathleen]

My mom's family were originally from Poland... My dad's family were originally from Ireland.. My dad's family came over here and became outlaws in the West before settling in this area of the country.. My mom's family came over here and became merchants in the Illinois area..

I inherited the Irish side of the family... red hair.. green eyes.. fair, if not a bit ruddy, complexion and lots of freckles...

[BrowderChick]

Im pale fromt he English side but I have the German temper. :P

[BrowderChick]

I've been an amatuer geneaologist for many years. I love it. I finally got to the point where I had nothing but brick walls left. My earliest ancestor hit America in 1643.
Ive hit several brick walls because my grandpa's birth registry was of a different name. But since I found that one little link, everything fell right into place. I can try to help you if I can. I have several sites and libraries that I work with. :)

[Boron]

I've got one big ace in the hole left. I would like to go to the LDS library at Salt Lake.
That place is said to be heaven for geneaologists.
They have info on families that no one else has.... I had one female ancestor that I had no maiden name for......brick wall. I got an e-mail message one day, from a guy I had corresponded with over things like this before, and his sister had gone to the LDS library researching the same family, (they were descended from them, too) and found her maiden name was Elizabeth Welsh.... I had chased that one for years.. I have got to go someday......

[BrowderChick]

You can go to any LDS church and they will be able to get the records you need. They all use the same database. :D

[JadedLegend3]

:eek3:This is a little to book of Revelations for me. I'll pass thanks. :)

[Boron]

I tried that once, and I was shown a microfiche catalog that made no sense to me at all, and even then you had to wait several weeks for the info to be copied and sent, but that was in like, 1992 or something. I was told the big library is staffed with people that are familiar with the system, and whose job it is, is to help research families. (The LDS believes in praying for the ancestors, so they may go to heaven) It is very important to them. I think it is a nice thought....

[TalynLives]

:eek3:This is a little to book of Revelations for me. I'll pass thanks. :)

How is it "Book of Revelations"?

[Mrelia]

Yep, that's where the mystery for me lies...My dark features, like very dark hair, and pure black eyebrows/lashes, totally come from my English Grandfathers side, but I can't find out where that family line came from before they were in England (I can only find like 3 generations back).

The next-door neighbor? A traveling salesman? A gypsy violinist?
:D

[BrowderChick]

I tried that once, and I was shown a microfiche catalog that made no sense to me at all, and even then you had to wait several weeks for the info to be copied and sent, but that was in like, 1992 or something. I was told the big library is staffed with people that are familiar with the system, and whose job it is, is to help research families. (The LDS believes in praying for the ancestors, so they may go to heaven) It is very important to them. I think it is a nice thought....
Ive used the heneral site they have to do the main look ups and then went with them with the numbers I needed to see. I wrote down my own information. Ive never had any problems with doing things that way. You can go to the site at www.familysearch.org

[AgentSun]

man i feel a little generic. :shrug: i'm chinese.

[Boron]

^ Chinese history is vast and almost ageless. The problem is accessing information.