You might have heard of genetic (DNA) consumer testing and popular online merchants that offer it: Ancestry.com, 23andMe.com and others. A DNA report might offer some surprises folks never expected lost ancestry links. After reading this Wall Street Journal report from two weekends ago, I decided to get myself “tested”.
My surprise was total and zero. I am a very large percent… coming from the Spartacus tribe. Take that, you haters.
“Our DNA is unique to each of us; tiny changes in letters of the genetic code help to explain why we are different from others.”
Amy Docker Marcus, WSJ
“Gil Brodsky -age 68- wrested with these questions [of his true identity] after taking a DNA test and learning in June 2018 that the man who raised him was not his biological father. Testing companies allow members who give permission to be contacted to send messages to one another within the site, and Dr. Brodsky soon received several notes who pointed out that they were relatives and offered to share more information.”
WSJ
“Consumer DNA testing has taken off in recent years. Millions of people have spit in a tube or swabbed their cheeks, enticed by prices under $100 and marketing campaigns that focus on the recreational aspect of finding out about your family history, like the man in the ad for AncestryDNA who “switched my lederhosen for a kilt” after the test revealed that his family’s lineage was Scottish, not German. The emphasis is often on self-exploration; the companies MyHeritage and 23andMe (for the 23 pairs of human chromosomes) embody the idea in their very names.”
WSJ
People discovered their half-brothers and half-sisters this way. Give it a try.
I’ve discovered my true beginnings. [Note: The rebel Spartacus is not historically known to have had children, however, his Thracian tribe would have had a few survivors after his 71 B.C. death]. Rest in peace, Grandpa, I know you had none while you were yet of this world.