One of the questions we all have is, "Who am I? Where are my roots?" Many of us want to know who our ancestors are, where they came from, and what their story is. Sometimes this journey is very complicated, going back many countries and centuries. So DNA testing is a scientific method that can help us on this journey. Today, we'll talk about these DNA tests and other ways to find out your family history.
Why do we do a DNA test?
People have different reasons for taking a DNA test. Some want to know the ethnic makeup of their ancestors. Others want to solve questions about family relationships. Let's look at some of the main reasons.
| Reason for testing | A simple explanation |
|---|---|
| To learn about ancestors | These tests can help you trace your ancestry back about 10 generations. They can also give you an idea of the area (not just a city, but perhaps a large province) where your ancestors lived. If the results are accurate, you can also find out if you have any living or recently deceased relatives. |
| To confirm paternity (Paternity Test) | This is one of the most common uses of DNA testing. It is used to resolve the question of who the biological father of a child is. The child's DNA is compared to the DNA of the person suspected of being the father. If there is a 99.9% match, paternity is confirmed. |
| Forensic Science | Like fingerprints, a person's DNA is unique. At crime scenes, investigators collect DNA samples from hair, skin, semen, and blood. These are analyzed to help solve crimes. |
| To check health risks | This is the most important part of medical science. These tests can find out if there are any genetic mutations (`gene variants`) that increase the risk of developing certain diseases or certain genetic diseases. However, if you do this kind of test, it is definitely something that you should talk to your doctor and do it on his advice. For example, you can find out about the `(BRCA gene)` that is associated with breast and ovarian cancer. |
How accurate are these DNA tests?
The most important thing we need to understand here is that these tests are not 100% accurate. There are several reasons for that.
Simply put, the accuracy of the results is determined by how large and diverse the DNA database the testing company has.
Here are some of the main reasons why results may be incorrect or vary:
- Each company has its own database: if you give the same sample to two companies, you're likely to get two different results because they're comparing your DNA to the information in their own database.
- Lack of data for some ethnic groups: The DNA data of African, East Asian, South American, and especially South Asian people (including us) is limited in these companies' databases. So the accuracy of the results for someone from such ancestry may be reduced.
- Not testing your entire DNA: These tests don't look at your entire DNA. They only focus on a few hundred thousand ``SNPs - Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms'' out of the millions of tiny changes in our DNA.
- Limitations of Y chromosome testing: This test only looks at your father's lineage. So it doesn't provide any information about your mother's lineage.
How do you go beyond DNA to find family history?
Finding your family tree is not just about DNA testing. It's like a detective story. You have to dig through old documents, talk to relatives, and chase down clues. It's not always easy, and some information may be missing or incomplete. But the results are worth the effort.
What methods can we use in Sri Lanka?
- Ask older relatives: The oldest person in your family is your most valuable source of information. Talk to grandparents, great-grandparents, and uncles. Ask them about stories, old names, and hometowns they know. Sometimes there may be a "household name" (ge-name), and the same name may be spelled differently (e.g., Perera, Pereira).
- Find old documents and photos: Old birth certificates, death certificates, deeds, and old documents from temples or churches can hold a lot of information. Also, look through old photo albums. The names and dates written on the back will be a great help to you.
- Be careful with names: There may be several people with the same name. So, look for not only the name, but also the time period they lived in, the village, and their relationships.
- Don't force people who don't want to talk: Sometimes there can be sad, painful events in the family history. Some adults may not want to talk about it. They may laugh and say, "You don't even understand what you're asking, son." If that's the case, try asking another relative or neighbor.
Research the history and culture of the time your ancestors lived. This will help you understand the decisions they made and their lifestyle.
How is knowing family history important to your life?
This is not just to satisfy curiosity. Knowing about your roots can give you great mental strength and pride.
Also, this information could help save your life. How do you know?
By knowing your family health history. Find out if anyone in your family has had diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, or cancer . It is very important to discuss this information with your doctor. Because then you can be aware in advance whether you are at risk of developing these diseases and what you can do to prevent them.
Take-Home Message
- DNA Ancestry Tests are just one tool to help you find out about your ancestry. They don't tell the whole story.
- The accuracy of the test results depends on the database of the company conducting the test, and results may vary from company to company.
- If you want to get a genetic test to learn about your health risks, always consult with your doctor and do it under his or her guidance.
- To truly discover your family history, it is important to engage in research, such as talking to older relatives and searching for old documents.
- Knowing your family health history is essential to protecting your own health and preventing disease.
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