Monday, August 11, 2008

Genealogy gets more Precise

From _Technology Review_:

Tracing your ancestry via DNA is becoming a popular pastime, thanks to a growing number of consumer tests available over the Internet. At least two-dozen companies sell tests ranging in price from $100 to $900, and public interest is thriving. Most of these tests, however, paint a very rough picture of an individual's ancestral origins: they're limited to the direct maternal or paternal line. But that is beginning to change.
New technologies are allowing scientists to search for markers across the genome that can more precisely predict ancestry. Much of that data is being poured into public databases, supplying much more accurate and detailed information to genetic-testing companies and new consumer tests.

http://www.technologyreview.com/Biotech/21204/?a=f

Saturday, August 02, 2008

Discount Y DNA test opportunity

DNA Heritage has lowered their price for a 43 marker YSTR DNA test by $20 through August 31. Potential DNA Project members may find this discount an inducement to purchase a test. Anyone who ordered a test kit but did not return it can also obtain the discounted test price. http://www.dnaheritage.com/dnapatent.asp