Dr. Spencer Wells, searching for DNA

Wouldn’t you like to know the migratory path your ancestors took to get to your part of the world? Here at WoWasis, we were curious about our own ethnic origins, and now we’re going to find out, through the Genographic Project, a joint partnership of the National Geographic Society and IBM. And it’s only going to cost 100 bucks to find out. 

Launched in 2005, they’re using DNA collected from what could potentially be 200,000 people to map migratory paths originating from eastern Africa. Its prime researchers are Dr. Spencer Wells and Dr. Ajay Royyaru. Scientific evidence from Y chromosome data tells us that all men evolved from a “Scientific Adam” that lived approximately 60,000 years ago. His most immediate descendants are probably today’s San and Khao Bushmen in the Kalahari Desert. Similar Mitochondrial DNA evidence shows that all women derived from a “Scientific Eve,” same place and time. And the Genographic Project aims to map as many as 200,000 DNA samples from people currently living to a global historical migratory path. By participating in the project, you too can get a sense of the migration path your own ancestors traveled. 

To participate, you buy a DNA sample kit that comes along with a DVD that explains the project, and features Spencer Wells traveling to different continents in search of people with specific DNA markers. Under this project, men have an option women don’t: they may elect to trace their migratory path through either their patrilneal or matrilineal side, while women are only able to trace their matrilineal path of ancestry. Your DNA sample is only used for the purpose of the project. There will be no medical analysis. Once your cheek swab has been analyzed, you can track the project on the Genographic website and also learn about your ancestors’ journey and migratory history. Pretty good familial history for $100 USD. 

We’re participating here at WoWasis. If you’d like to find out more about the project, visit the Genographic website.