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| Frequently Asked Questions About DNA Tribes® Genetic Ancestry Analysis Revised January 12, 2010 Q: What is DNA Tribes Genetic Ancestry Analysis? A: DNA Tribes Genetic Ancestry Analysis is a service that uses genetic material inherited from both maternal and paternal ancestors to measure your genetic connections to individual ethnic groups and major world regions. Your top ranked results indicate places where your blend of ancestry is most frequent and where your genetic ancestors left the strongest traces. Q: How will my results look? A: Results are delivered by email in a printable PDF Genetic Ancestry Report. Sample Caucasian and African- American results with comments can be viewed here. Q: How does DNA Tribes stands out from other services?
Q: How do I get my DNA Tribes analysis? How long does it take? A: Learning about your genetic ancestry with DNA Tribes is easy and painless. Once you order your DNA Tribes analysis online, we will send you a cheek swab kit with easy to follow instructions. You'll simply scrub the inside of your cheek with the swabs, seal your samples and then mail them in the prepaid** return envelope to our partner lab. Once we receive your sample, you will receive your results in approximately 2 - 3 weeks* by email in a printer- ready PDF file. * In most cases, results are delivered within 9-10 working days of when DNA samples are received. However, in some cases, results can take longer if additional processing or re-collected (performed at no additional charge) is needed. ** Prepaid return envelopes are included for kits shipped within the U.S. only. For kits shipped outside the U.S., an unpaid return envelope is included for return shipping according to local postal rates. Q: How does DNA Tribes pricing compare to the cost of other DNA tests? A: DNA Tribes provides the most informative and comprehensive genetic ancestry analysis available at an affordable price. For a price comparison, the International Society of Genetic Genealogy hosts an Ethnic Origins DNA Testing Company Comparison at: http://www.isogg.org/eochart.htm. Note: The price comparison chart linked above is maintained by a third-party organization not affiliated with DNA Tribes and might not include our current test information and pricing. For up to date DNA Tribes test information and prices including our current discounts and promotions, click here. Q: Are DNA Tribes customer ratings and reviews available? A: Yes. At DNA Tribes, our goal is to provide superior genetic analysis that is informative and enjoyable for our customers. To help us continually improve the quality of our service, DNA Tribes routinely invites our customers to submit their ratings and reviews of their testing experiences. Of customers who responded to our survey between January 2006 and January 2009, over 95% gave a positive rating of their experience with DNA Tribes. To get the most of your analysis, we recommend contacting us at support@dnatribes.com with any questions about your testing. We are happy to provide follow up assistance in translating technical results into plain English terms to help you in your personal genetic ancestry research. To read customer reviews of their DNA Tribes experiences, click here. Q: Is DNA Tribes for only males or females? A: Both males and females can use DNA Tribes Genetic Ancestry Analysis. Our test uses autosomal genetic material inherited both the mother and father (50% from each parent), providing a unique "genetic portrait" that you can pass on to your children and grandchildren as a record of their family heritage. Q: What is the scientific basis for DNA Tribes method of analysis? A: DNA Tribes® is a private firm specializing in genetic ancestry analysis, including both geographical analysis of world populations and the comparison of individuals to living populations and world regions. DNA Tribes’ proprietary analysis has been developed by Dr. Eduardas Valaitis, who received his Doctorate in Statistics from Yale University in 2005. Dr. Valaitis has been an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at American University in Washington, D.C., and is currently a Senior Associate at PricewaterhouseCoopers. Dr. Valaitis’ background includes extensive work in multivariate analysis and classification, which involves identifying mathematical structure present within large and complex datasets. This expertise allows DNA Tribes to perform a uniquely detailed and comprehensive analysis of world populations to identify genetic structure on an objective mathematical basis. All data used in our analysis come from peer- reviewed scientific studies of world populations. Our unique U.S. Patent Pending method of analysis is available exclusively through DNA Tribes. Q: Is DNA Tribes proprietary method of analysis available elsewhere? No. Some forensic calculators use the CODIS STR markers used for DNA Tribes genetic ancestry analysis. However, these calculators use forensic match calculations that are inappropriate for genetic ancestry analysis. DNA Tribes analysis is based on a unique, patent pending genetic ancestry algorithm developed by Dr. Eduardas Valaitis (Ph.D. in Statistics, Yale University 2005) available exclusively through DNAtribes.com. Q: What genetic markers are used for DNA Tribes analysis? A: DNA Tribes uses a type of autosomal STR genetic markers developed by the FBI for individual identification. Using this system, each person’s DNA profile serves as a genetic fingerprint for that individual, with typically less than one in a trillion chance of sharing an identical profile with anyone in the world. Because each autosomal STR profile is so unique to each person, these genetic markers are also the industry standard for court-admissible paternity and maternity testing. DNA Tribes uses this highly unique autosomal STR genetic profile to measure a person’s genetic connections to populations and major regions around the world. Further information about the DNA markers used for DNA Tribes analysis can be found at: http://www.cstl.nist.gov/biotech/strbase/ Q: Is the set of autosomal STR markers markers used in DNA Tribes analysis sufficient to provide a robust and detailed genetic ancestry analysis? Yes. Genetic ancestry analysis requires many data points, consisting of both informative DNA markers and robust population reference data. DNA Tribes analysis uses a powerful set of industry standard DNA markers relied on by police agencies and courts of law for their strong intra-populational variability. DNA Tribes compares each person's unique set of highly informative DNA markers to our database representing hundreds of thousands of people worldwide. This enables us to not only basic continental groups, but to "zoom in" further and perform the most detailed structual analysis of world populations available to identify individual genetic regions sharing unique genetic patterns. DNA Tribes customers receive the most comprehensive and detailed genetic ancestry analysis available. New but expensive technologies have allowed testing of hundreds or thousands of SNPs or other markers, which has sometimes been used for a ancestry analysis. However, these analyses are limited by the small amount of global DNA reference data, in many cases derived from only a handful to a few dozen individuals. Because of this lack of data, the global structure of genetic clusters inferred using these SNP markers remains incompletely documented. In contrast, DNA Tribes analysis is uses a suite of powerful industry standard markers to provide a detailed and statistically rigorous comparison to hundreds of actual ethnic groups in all parts of the world and regional genetic structure identified and tested by Dr. Eduardas Valaitis. Our survey of world populations (viewable by clicking the link below) provides detailed analysis of level of the structure distinguished using these markers, which surpasses both academic and commercial SNP-based studies in both comprehensiveness and detail: http://dnatribes.com/sample-results/dnatribes-global-survey-regional-affinities.pdf Q: How does DNA Tribes autosomal analysis relate to other forms of genetic analysis, such as Y chromosome, mtdDNA or admixture tests? A: DNA Tribes unique autosomal analysis complements other types of genetic tests, by using DNA passed down equally from male and female ancestors. The autosomal STRs tested by DNA Tribes are passed down from both male and female and both lineal and non-lineal ancestors. Each person inherits a unique combination of these autosomal STRs. DNA Tribes identifies the individual ethnic groups and world regions where a person's total combination of ancestry is most frequent or common. DNA Tribes analysis can complement Y chromosome or mtDNA information by providing information about genetic connections passed down from a sampling of both lineal non-lineal ancestors, providing a more well-rounded and inclusive picture of a person's overall ancestry. DNA Tribes analysis can complement admixture testing by identifying connections to individual ethnic groups and world regions, providing a more detailed view of ancestry based on both indigenous and admixed Diaspora populations as they actually exist. Q: Can DNA Tribes provide information not available through traditional genealogy? Yes. DNA Tribes offers a genetic analysis that includes information invisible to traditional genealogy and can complement your genealogical research. Genealogy is a type of history documenting biographical information about lineal ancestors that can establish who your ancestors were. However, genealogy cannot identify the specific genetic connections passed down by these ancestors. This is because genealogy deals with only the means of DNA transmission and not with the substance itself. The autosomal genetic analysis offered by DNA Tribes can complement genealogical research by identifying your genetic connections to living populations passed down by your historical ancestors. For instance, genealogical research might document that a person's grandparents originated in Ireland, Germany and Italy. However, members of each of these national populations exhibit a range of individual genetic variation that genealogy cannot identify. (Detailed analysis of the genetic composition of ethnic groups around the world is available in our global survey, viewable by clicking here.) Additionally, family members each inherit a unique combination of DNA from these grandparents. One grandchild might inherit DNA most typical of Ireland; another, DNA typical of Italy; and another, a blending of DNA typical of Central European populations living between these three countries of origin. This is because genealogical "fractions" can only provide non-genetic information about historical ancestors, which can then be complemented by genetic information measuring the connections to living populations that each person inherits. Just as with physical appearance, each person possesses a unique combination of DNA that exists as a whole with genetic relations to living populations as well as to historical ancestors. Q: Do my DNA Tribes results prove my membership in a certain ethnic group? A: Your top matches are the places in our database where your DNA profile is most common. A match with a particular ethnic or national population sample does not guarantee you or a recent ancestor (parent or grandparent, for instance) are a member of that ethnic group. However, a match does indicate a population where your combination of ancestry is common, which is most often due to shared ancestry with that population. For instance, an African-American might match populations from Cape Verde (an island nation off the coast of West Africa) or Belem, Brazil. Like African-Americans, each of these populations is descended from a recent blending of Europeans and Africans. A Global Population match with either of these populations could be due a similar blending of African and European ancestors. Likewise, a match with a population of Caucasians in Indiana, U.S.A. does not necessarily indicate your ancestors came from Indiana, but instead indicates your blend of genetic ancestry is present within that population. Nevertheless, DNA Tribes matches reflect a rigorous comparison to living populations as they exist today. Although results do not always relate directly to particular genealogical events, all match results reflect the genetic relations of individuals to the complex texture of actual world populations. For instance, a small fraction of European individuals inherit a DNA profile that is most frequent in India. Indian affiliation is most common in Roma (Gypsy) populations, but can be also found in non-Roma populations throughout Europe, and especially the Mediterranean. (More details available in our global survey of world populations). While this result does not necessarily indicate a great-grandparent from India, it does reflect the small but significant overlap between some individuals in European and Indian populations. Q: Does DNA Tribes prove identity? A: Identity is complex and defined by a very personal combination history, geography, and culture. While a DNA test alone cannot define a person's identity, results from our analysis can provide important clues to ancestral origins within major world regions and sometimes even individual ethnic groups. Alongside genealogical, historical and cultural information, our analysis can contribute another important piece to the puzzle of personal identity. Q: Can test results be used to apply for American Indian tribal enrollment or to obtain official Indian status? A: No. However, DNA match results can provide genetic clues as to the regions and living tribal populations where a person's DNA is most common. Because of the strong genetic differences observed between American Indian populations, test results can provide evidence to assist in the documentary and genealogical research necessary to establish historical ties to particular American Indian tribal nations. Approximately 1/4 American Indian ancestry is generally necessary to identify a regional or tribal genetic affiliation. The most informative results can be obtained by testing the available relative (of either gender) who is most closely related to American Indian ancestors. Although DNA matches cannot prove tribal ancestry for official purposes, testing can provide genetic clues to your origins to help locate documentation of descent from an enrolled ancestor (required for membership by most tribal organizations). After testing is complete, we can also identify the fractions of American Indian ancestry consistent with DNA results at no additional charge by request to support@dnatribes.com. For interested tribal enrollment officials, please contact support@dnatribes.com for more information about how the information in DNA Tribes results can be interpreted and applied, or for more information about private group ancestry studies. Q: How is ancestry from tribes not listed in DNA Tribes database (such as ancestry from Cherokee and other Southeastern tribes) expressed in results? A: Ancestry from tribal nations not yet listed in our database is expressed in match scores for the nearest genetic region in Part D of Standard and Premium Kit results. For instance, ancestry from tribal nations of the Southeastern United States such as the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, and Creek (Muskogee) is expressed in match scores for the North Amerindian genetic region. Ancestry from Southeastern tribes can also be expressed in match scores for the Mexican and Mayan genetic regions to reflect a pre-European migration from the west to east in this part of North America. Q: DNA Tribes materials use the terms "Native American" and "American Indian" to describe indigenous populations of the Americas. How are these terms used? A: DNA Tribes uses both of the terms "Native American" and "American Indian" inclusively to describe indigenous peoples living in North, Central, and South America (including native Alaskans) to the present day. This is because all indigenous populations throughout the American continents share unique genetic characteristics that distinguish them from other world populations. More information about these genetic relationships is available in our Global Survey. DNA Tribes uses both the terms "Native American" and "American Indian" synonymously, because each term remains in use today. The term "Native American" has become more common in academic texts and other forms of discourse in the United States. This term may or may not also be used to include indigenous peoples outside the United States. DNA Tribes uses the term "Native American" inclusively, to reflect the genetic continuity among indigenous populations throughout the Americas. In addition, the term "American Indian" also remains in widespread use, particularly among indigenous communities living in what is sometimes called "Indian Country" (the parts of the United States where indigenous cultures thrive to the present day). DNA Tribes uses the term "American Indian" to emphasize this living continuity and sovereignty of indigenous peoples, who continue the many traditions of their elders to the present day. Q: How do DNA Tribes match results relate to historical events? A: Many living populations retain genetic material that dates to their founding in ancient times as well as traces of more recent events. The genetic patterns identified by DNA Tribes relate primarily to geography: living ethnic groups are most often related to their neighbors, sharing common ties to world regions that can cross ethnic and cultural divisions. Some populations that have migrated from their homelands also retain genetic connections to their places of origin: for instance, Polish Tatars retain stronger Mongolian affiliations than are seen elsewhere in Europe. However, the relation of genetics to historical events presents many difficulties and often requires reference to non- genetic information. The similarities observed between some neighboring populations of differing language and culture suggest ancient regional patterns of contact that can predate and outlast ethnic groupings. For instance, Mediterranean affiliations observed in North Africa, the Levant and Western Europe could reflect historical influences of Greeks or Romans, but likely also reflect older, enduring contacts that predate those particular civilizations. DNA Tribes encourages our customers to explore the historical dimensions of ancestry, and provides a detailed, empirical genetic analysis for a solid foundation to enable this speculative research. Q: How are the DNA Tribes world regions defined? A: DNA Tribes is the only genetic ancestry analysis that identifies world regions based on mathematical patterns of unique genetic variation. Other tests rely on non-scientific racial divisions. These presumed racial groupings present an incorrect and incomplete view of genetic patterns actually present in the world. Simplistic divisions of the world into 3-5 continents ignores important unique regions that do not neatly fall into presumed racial categories, such as such as North Africa, Polynesia or Tibet. DNA Tribes analysis does not make any assumptions based on non-scientific racial divisions. Instead of relying in presumed racial divisions, DNA Tribes defines world regions identified in a comprehensive database of world populations by objective mathematical criteria. Many of these world regions correspond to cultural or linguistic groups. For instance, Slavic-speaking peoples share a predominance of the Eastern European region. Other world regions cross national and cultural boundaries as they exist today and reflect the genetic imprint of older patterns of human interactions in these zones. A map illustrating the world regions identified by our unique mathematical analysis can be viewed by selecting Populations. Q: Why are population matches presented in separate Native and Global rankings? A: Each person’s ranked population results are divided into Native and Global Population Match. Native Population Match results include indigenous populations with minimal admixture in the past 500 years, such as Native Amazonians, Scottish, Egyptians or Japanese. Global Population Match includes these indigenous populations as well as modern Diaspora ethnic groups such as African-Americans, European-Americans or Asian-Americans. Modern Diaspora populations are descended from immigrants who have recently moved from their homelands to live around the world, often blending with other peoples. Many people with Diaspora origins obtain their many of their strongest population matches with modern populations rather than indigenous populations. Population matches are divided between Native and Global to identify these Diaspora affiliations as well as genetic links to indigenous peoples. For instance, many African- Americans match African Diaspora populations such as African-Americans from various U.S. states, Afro-Brazilians and related peoples. However, their Native Match results can also indicate roots in indigenous African, European or Native American populations. Q: What are MLI scores? A: Each DNA Tribes Native and Global Population Match and World Region Match is listed with a Match Likelihood Index (MLI) score that indicates your odds of belonging to that population relative to your odds of belonging to a generic human population. For instance, a Native Population Match with Macedonia scored 45.2 indicates your genetic ancestry is 45.2 times as likely in Macedonia as in the world. Population and world region match results are provided in a ranked listing, from most likely to least likely. Top ranked scores indicate your best population or regional matches in the DNA Tribes database. All matches can be compared against each other as odds ratios. For instance, if you obtain a score of 25.0 for Bavarian and 5.0 for Macedonian, this means your genetic profile is 25.0/5.0 = 5.0 times as likely to be Bavarian as Macedonian. Q: What are typical scores for my ethnic group? Are my scores very high or low? A: Individuals within each population exhibit a characteristic range of world region scores. This range varies by world region and ethnicity. Tables listing scores by percentile for Caucasians, African-Americans and Hispanics living in the United States (including Europa sub-regional scores for U.S. Caucasians) can be viewed in our global survey. These percentiles provide the range of expected scores for individuals within each group. Q: What are TribeScores? TribeScores are a unique scoring method developed by DNA Tribes that compares a person's match scores for a population to the scores of actual members within that ethnic group or region. Each DNA Tribes match includes a TribeScore in parentheses, listing your MLI score’s percentile in that population. TribeScores compares your MLI scores to members of each ethnic group and world region. For instance, results listing “Switzerland (0.73)” indicate that your MLI score is higher than 73% of scores from this Swiss reference population, and lower than 27% of these Swiss individuals. TribeScores of (0.05) and above are within the expected range for a population, and TribeScores between the (0.25) and above are ordinary or typical for members of that population. TribeScores indicate how high or low your score is in the specific context of each population, providing the necessary point of reference to explain each MLI score. Q: Can a person of one ethnic group obtain their strongest match with another group or even world region? A: Yes. Each population includes a spectrum of gene frequencies. Within that spectrum, some alleles (genes) will be typical of that general region, some will be typical of nearby regions, and some might be more unique to that ethnic group. It is common for people to imagine a population in terms of general or distinctive characteristics. However, individuals within any population exhibit a range of variation. While red hair might seem typical of Irish descent, red hair is only found in a minority of Irish people and can be found in many other populations and even continents. The same is true of genetic ancestry. Some individuals in an ethnic population group might carry alleles (genes) that are highly typical of that group. However, all will retain genetic connections to other nearby populations, and some will retain a primary affiliation with other world regions. A global survey of world region affiliations within a variety of populations can be viewed by clicking here. This survey illustrates the spectrum of regional affiliations for a variety of national and ethnic populations. DNA Tribes results for an individual from that group could include any affiliation represented within that population. Q: How can I compare my DNA Tribes results with information from other genetic ancestry tests? A: DNA Tribes provides a unique perspective on genetic ancestry by measuring a person’s genetic connections to specific population samples and world regions. This information can complement results from Y chromosome, mtDNA or admixture tests to provide a more comprehensive picture of your genetic ancestry. DNA Tribes has several advantages over other types of genetic ancestry test. Y chromosome and mtDNA tests can indicate one lineage a person has inherited from one direct lineal ancestor. This can be traced through particular genealogical ancestors, providing a direct correspondence with traditional documentary (paper) genealogy. However, while each person has thousands of lineal ancestors even within the past 500 years, Y chromosome or mtDNA tests can only provide information about two of these ancestors. SNP Admixture tests estimate a person’s contribution from several broad continental groups. Like DNA Tribes, admixture tests use genetic material passed down from a sampling of all ancestors. Admixture types of tests assume a person is descended from a handful of prominent populations, such as Western Europeans and East Asians. However, most people in the world are not descended from a mixture of Western Europeans, East Asians, West Africans, and Central Americans. DNA Tribes analysis measures a person’s genetic connections to populations and major regions from all over the world. Each of these regions retains unique characteristics that cannot be described by a basic division of the world into 3-5 regions. For instance, North African Berbers are not a mixture of Europeans and West Africans, but are unique peoples with distinctive genetic characteristics. DNA Tribes measures your connections to important world regions such as Eastern Europe, North India or Northeast Amerindians that can be overlooked or misclassified by an admixture test. DNA Tribes can provide information not available from other types of analysis. This information can be combined with results from other DNA tests for a more thoroughly detailed picture of your genetic ancestry. Q: Do my results show what percentage of various groups I am? A: DNA Tribes does not perform a percentage of admixture calculation. DNA Tribes is a statistical likelihood analysis based on actual allele (gene) frequencies scientifically measured in hundreds of world population samples. Admixture estimate can be useful in certain conditions (especially for medical purposes). Admixture analysis requires many assumptions, including the designation of “non-mixed” populations based primarily on racial groups defined by society. In reality, no population is “100% unmixed” or completely isolated from other populations. Genes can be shared between populations due to common origins, historical invasions, or slow diffusion by local contact over many generations. Our unique method of analysis is valid for anyone from anywhere in the world. Instead of estimating admixture, DNA Tribes measures a person’s genetic connections within populations, identifying the ethnic groups and world regions where a person’s DNA profile is most common. For people of multiple family origins, DNA Tribes test results will identify the ethnic groups and world regions where your unique combination of DNA inherited 50% from each parent can be found. Results will vary based on what genetic material has been inherited, and can identify one of more places of parental origins or in some cases intermediate populations where similar blendings have taken place. Q: Why do DNA Tribes results identify the populations where a person's DNA profile is most common, instead of estimating admixture from major racial groups? DNA Tribes analysis is an empirical analysis that identifies a person's best genetic fits among actual world populations. Although admixture analysis is appropriate only in a limited context, DNA Tribes' unbiased method of analysis is appropriate for both individuals of mixed and unmixed backgrounds. For people of mixed origins, DNA Tribes results reflect the genetic material actually passed down from both paternal and maternal ancestors. However, admixture is only one of several processes that shape human genetic diversity. Although the human genetic landscape has been influenced by major admixture events (such as the European colonization of Latin America), this genetic structure also reflects the complex interplay of processes including shared historical origins of populations, internal processes such as genetic drift, and gradual small-scale gene flow. For this reason, a simple model of admixture does not explain human variation, and admixture analysis can generate misleading or incomplete results. DNA Tribes analysis provides a direct comparison to hundreds of actual populations, reflecting the full genetic complexity of living populations. The structure of many world populations cannot be meaningfully explained only in terms of admixture. This is a fundamental methodological problem that cannot be overcome by the use of many of genetic markers. For instance, Europe has been inhabited for several tens of thousands of years, and has developed an internal regional structure while also undergoing continuous and periodic gene flow between populations and regions, and to a lesser extent with Near Eastern and other adjacent populations. Living European populations exhibit consistent regional structure that nevertheless includes overlap with other European and Near Eastern regions. As in all parts of the world, European genetic structure has been shaped by many genetic processes, expressed in regular differences rooted in geography. Additionally, analyses based only on an admixture model cannot fully account for the ordinary variation within every population. Some individuals within every ethnic group and region can inherit genetic markers typical of nearby or, less frequently, distantly related populations. This can reflect a recent ancestor from another region, but can also reflect the ordinary genetic variation within all human populations. For instance, India includes some of the oldest source populations for European and Asian peoples, and some individuals in Europe and Asia can inherit alleles that are frequent in India. These could be passed down from a recent ancestor from India, but can also reflect the ancient shared roots with India retained in living European and Asian populations. Even in regions where historical admixture has been more frequent, admixture takes a specific local character. For instance, both the Malay Archipelago and Mongolian regions have been the site of contacts between Near Eastern and East Asian populations dating to historical and prehistoric times. However, this cross-continental admixture is expressed uniquely in each region's genetic patterns and cannot be explained in terms of simple admixture. DNA Tribes is the only test rigorous and detailed enough to distinguish ancestry from these and other local regions shaped by unique geographical and human interactions. Further, gene flow between human populations has been continuous throughout most of history. Many ethnic crossings now thought of as admixture are reiterating crossings that have taken place in history and prehistory. For instance, gene flow between Sub-Saharan African and Caucasian (European and Near Eastern) populations has taken place in areas in and near the Sahara Desert (including the North African and East African genetic regions) throughout history. The blending of African and European peoples that has taken place since the colonial era in North, Central and South America is usually thought of as a novel crossing, but from a broader perspective is recapitulating an ancient pattern of trans-Saharan gene flow. In contrast, the combination of American Indian and European and/or African populations is a novel type of crossing without a known historical precedent, and characterizes the relatively young Mestizo world region. However, admixture analysis can be appropriate and informative in limited contexts. Where a modern Diaspora ethnic group has mixed with populations from other regions, admixture analysis can estimate the contribution from each source population. For instance, African-Americans often inherit ancestry from African and European populations, and admixture analysis can meaningfully estimate the contribution of each group. In this case, DNA Tribes analysis can complement admixture estimates by identifying the specific tribes, regions and ethnic groups where a person's DNA is most common in each continent of origin. DNA Tribes avoids the error of attributing all intra-populational variation to admixture by providing a detailed empirical analysis that identifies the actual living populations where a person's unique DNA is most common. These individual results can then be viewed in the light of known family genealogy, geography and historical events. Q: How can DNA Tribes identify Native American ancestry? A: DNA Tribes can identify Native American ancestry through a match with a particular Native American population or a with a Native American world region. DNA Tribes currently includes a number of Native American tribal populations in our database. A listing of these populations can be found here. Additionally, DNA Tribes distinguishes a number of major Native American world regions. A listing of these with a map can be found by selecting Populations. One world region includes a recent mixture of Native Americans with Europeans and Africans. For many people of mixed ancestry with a substantial Native American component, the Mestizo world region will be their strongest World Region Match. This can often be corroborated by a substantial (match score greater than 1.0) match with another Native American world region. The Native American regions identified by DNA Tribes analysis are highly distinct from European and African world regions. For this reason, many people with a Native American ancestor do not obtain a substantial Native American match in their population or world region results. In such cases, a Native American Panel (see below for more information) can identify their nearest relatives amongst Native American populations. A DNA Tribes Fact Sheet about DNA testing and American Indian ancestry research and enrollment can be downloaded here. Q: What are the DNA Tribes Native American Panel and African Panel? A: For some customers of African or Native American descent, ancestry from another world region can dominate Native and Global Population Match results. The DNA Tribes African and Native American Panels are each supplementary ranked listings of a person’s match scores for these indigenous populations. For instance, a person of African and European descent might inherit strong genetic signals from Europe resulting in only European Top 10 Native Match results, without an indication of genetic roots in indigenous African populations. African Panel results provide a supplementary ranked list of a person’s medium resolution results with all indigenous Sub-Saharan African populations, including those that do not appear in Top 20 Native Population Match results. Likewise, a person of European and Native American descent might inherit strong genetic signals from Europe resulting in only European Top 10 Native Match results, without an indication of affiliations with Native American populations. Native American Panel results provide a supplementary ranked list of a person’s medium resolution results with all unmixed Native American populations, including those that do not appear in Top 20 Native Population Match results. As with all individual population matches, African or Native American Panel results measure a person’s genetic connections to individual ethnic and national populations. Match scores from each panel can be directly compared to that person’s top 20 medium resolution Native and Global Population Match results. Additional DNA testing is not required for these supplementary reports. African or Native American Panels can be ordered together with a person’s Standard or Premium Kit or any time afterwards. Q: Do DNA Tribes results correspond to physical appearance? A: Our analysis uses neutral genetic markers not associated with physical appearance. Neutral genetic markers are locations within a person’s DNA not associated with phenotype (appearance) and not subject to natural selection. Genes (alleles) that determine hair or eye color are not neutral, but neutral markers can silently convey genetic information not visible on the surface. For instance, a person might have light hair and eye pigmentation while still retaining some neutral genetic links to the Sub-Saharan world region passed down from an African grandparent. Q: I have already obtained my autosomal STR profile from a previous DNA test. Do I qualify for an Analysis Only? A: The autosomal STR marker systems used in DNA Tribes® Genetic Ancestry Analysis are standard forensic markers also used for paternity/maternity and other forensic DNA testing. The markers required for an Analysis Only are: D3S1358, TH01, D21S11, D18S51, D5S818, D13S317, D7S820, D16S539, CSF1PO, vWA, D8S1179, TPOX, FGA, Penta D, Penta E, D2S1338, D19S433, F13A1, F13B, FES/FPS, and LPL. If you already have these markers from a previous genetic test, you can order an Analysis Only without the need for further DNA processing. Analysis Only orders can be placed through our secure online storefront at: http://dnatribes.com/order.html When placing your Analysis Only order, email your autosomal STR profile to support@dnatribes.com. Q: Do DNA Tribes results indicate any medical conditions? A: No. DNA Tribes is a genetic ancestry analysis not related to any genetic conditions. Q: What is the DNA Tribes privacy policy? A: DNA Tribes is committed to the highest standards of genetic confidentiality and anonymity. DNA Tribes does not rent, sell, or share personal information about you with other people or companies. Q: Are alternate methods of DNA collection available? A: Yes. Alternate DNA collection methods are available for customers with special needs. For instance, DNA can sometimes be extracted from a licked stamp, allowing genetic ancestry analysis for deceased relatives. For further information and pricing for specialized DNA extraction, please inquire at support@dnatribes.com. Q: How can I send payment by check or money order? A: In addition to online payment options, DNA Tribes can accept payment by check or money order made out to “DNA Tribes” and mailed to:
P.O. Box 735 Arlington, VA 22216 USA However, ordering through our secure online storefront allows us to provide your genetic ancestry analysis more quickly and securely. Orders can be placed through our secure online checkout. Q: Where do I mail my DNA sample? A: Once you have collected your DNA sample using our painless cheek swab collection kit, please return it to our partner laboratory using the return envelope enclosed with your kit. If your return envelope has been lost or damaged, please contact DNA Tribes customer support at support@dnatribes.com. Q: DNA Tribes does not yet include my ancestral population. How can I suggest my ethnic group for future inclusion in the DNA Tribes World Population Database? A: DNA Tribes is continually expanding our population database to be as comprehensive as possible. If you would like to suggest a population for future inclusion, please email us at info@dnatribes.com with your ethnic group. For customers whose ethnic group is not yet included in our database, DNA Tribes results will identify the nearest populations and regions in our database where your genetic ancestry is best represented. If we are later able to include your ancestral population in our database, you can simply order an update for your analysis to reflect this new data without further DNA testing. Q: I am interested in contacting DNA Tribes regarding an article or media appearance. Whom can I contact? A: Please direct media inquiries to info@dnatribes.com. Our Mission at DNA Tribes is to bring you maximum information using cutting edge science at an affordable price. For merchant information, including shipping information and return policy, click here. For further inquiries, please fill out our Customer Feedback form. To order your own DNA Tribes Personal Genetic Analysis, simply order online, and we'll send your cheek swab kit right away. |
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All materials copyright ©
2006-2010 DNA Tribes.
DNA Tribes®. DNA
Tribes patent pending
analysis is available
exclusively from DNA
Tribes. All rights
reserved. All satellite
images courtesy NASA
Earth Observatory.
2006-2010 DNA Tribes.
DNA Tribes®. DNA
Tribes patent pending
analysis is available
exclusively from DNA
Tribes. All rights
reserved. All satellite
images courtesy NASA
Earth Observatory.