Genographic Project
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The Genographic Project, launched on 13 April 2005 by the National Geographic Society and IBM, was a genetic anthropological study (sales discontinued on 31 May 2019) that aimed to map historical human migrations patterns by collecting and analyzing DNA samples.[1] The final phase of the project was Geno 2.0 Next Generation.[2] Upon retirement of the site, 1,006,542 participants in over 140 countries had joined the project.
Project history
Beginnings
Created and led by project director Spencer Wells in 2005, The Genographic Project was a privately funded, not-for-profit collaboration between the National Geographic Society, IBM and the Waitt Foundation.[3] Field researchers at eleven regional centers around the world began by collecting DNA samples from indigenous populations. Since the fall of 2015, the Project was led by Miguel Vilar.[4]
In fall 2012, the Genographic Project announced the completion of a new genotyping array, dedicated to genetic anthropology, called GenoChip. GenoChip is specifically designed for anthropological testing and includes SNPs from autosomal DNA, X-chromosome DNA, Y-chromosome DNA and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). The design of the new chip was a collaborative effort between Wells of National Geographic, Eran Elhaik of Johns Hopkins, Family Tree DNA, and Illumina.[5]
In the fall of 2015, a new chip was designed as a joint effort between Vilar, Genographic Lead Scientist, and Family Tree DNA.
In the spring of 2019, it was announced the Geno project had ended but results would remain available online until 2020. In July 2020 the site was retired.
Geno 2.0
The autosomal admixture analysis developed by Wells and Elhaik classifies individuals by assessing their proportions of genomic ancestry related to nine ancestral regions: East Asian, Mediterranean, Southern African, Southwest Asian, Oceanian, Southeast Asian, Northern European, Sub-Saharan African and Native American.[6]
Population | Mediterranean | Northern European | Southwest Asian | Sub-Saharan African | Southern African | East Asian | Southeast Asian | Native American | Oceanian | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Altaian | 2 | 17 | 22 | 53 | 4 | 98 | ||||
Amerindian (Mexico) | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 83 | 99 | ||||
Bermudian | 15 | 20 | 7 | 48 | 3 | 7 | 4 | 100 | ||
British | 33 | 50 | 17 | 100 | ||||||
Bulgarian | 47 | 31 | 20 | 2 | 100 | |||||
Chinese | 72 | 28 | 100 | |||||||
Danish | 30 | 53 | 16 | 99 | ||||||
Dominican | 29 | 11 | 1 | 47 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 95 | |
Eastern Indian | 2 | 2 | 43 | 50 | 2 | 99 | ||||
Egyptian | 65 | 18 | 14 | 97 | ||||||
Finnish | 17 | 57 | 17 | 7 | 98 | |||||
Georgian | 61 | 7 | 31 | 99 | ||||||
German | 36 | 46 | 17 | 99 | ||||||
Greek | 54 | 28 | 17 | 99 | ||||||
Iberian | 48 | 37 | 13 | 98 | ||||||
Iranian | 42 | 8 | 42 | 5 | 97 | |||||
Japanese | 75 | 25 | 100 | |||||||
Khoisan | 47 | 52 | 99 | |||||||
Kinh | 57 | 43 | 100 | |||||||
Kuwaiti | 57 | 4 | 27 | 8 | 2 | 98 | ||||
Lebanese | 66 | 5 | 26 | 2 | 99 | |||||
Luhya | 2 | 89 | 8 | 99 | ||||||
Malagasy | 2 | 57 | 4 | 15 | 20 | 98 | ||||
Mexican | 28 | 20 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 36 | 98 | |||
Mongolian | 6 | 12 | 67 | 9 | 4 | 98 | ||||
Northern Caucasian | 46 | 16 | 33 | 4 | 99 | |||||
Northern Indian | 6 | 5 | 34 | 26 | 27 | 98 | ||||
Oceanian | 12 | 88 | 100 | |||||||
Papuan | 5 | 4 | 91 | 100 | ||||||
Highland Peruvian | 2 | 2 | 95 | 99 | ||||||
Peruvians | 15 | 10 | 3 | 2 | 68 | 98 | ||||
Puerto Rican | 31 | 21 | 9 | 25 | 2 | 11 | 99 | |||
Romanian | 43 | 36 | 19 | 2 | 100 | |||||
Russians | 25 | 51 | 18 | 4 | 98 | |||||
Sardinian | 67 | 24 | 8 | 99 | ||||||
Southern Indian | 4 | 2 | 58 | 35 | 99 | |||||
Tajikistan | 22 | 22 | 44 | 10 | 98 | |||||
Tatar | 21 | 40 | 21 | 16 | 98 | |||||
Tunisian | 62 | 6 | 10 | 19 | 2 | 99 | ||||
Tuscan | 54 | 28 | 17 | 99 | ||||||
Vanuatu | 4 | 15 | 78 | 97 | ||||||
Western Indian | 9 | 6 | 58 | 26 | 99 | |||||
Yoruba people | 97 | 3 | 100 |
Geno 2.0 Next Generation
In 2016, the project began utilizing cutting-edge[2] Helix DNA sequencing for Geno 2.0 Next Generation,[2][7] the current phase of the Genographic Project. As compared to earlier phases which used nine regional affiliations, Geno 2.0 Next Generation analyzes modern-day indigenous populations around the world using either 18 or 22 regional affiliations.[8] Utilizing a DNA-collection kit, Helix acquires a saliva sample from a participant, which is then analyzed for genomic identifiers that offer unprecedented[2] insight into the person's genetic origins.[2] The data is then uploaded to the Genographic Project DNA database.[2]
Volunteer participation
From 2005 to 2019 Genographic engaged volunteers (in fieldwork and providing DNA samples) and citizen science projects. During this time the National Geographic Society sold non-profit self-testing kits to members of the general public who wished to participate in the project as "citizen scientists". Such outreach for public participation in research has been encouraged by organizations such as International Society of Genetic Genealogy (ISOGG), which is seeking to promote benefits from scientific research.[9][10][11] This includes supporting, organization and dissemination of personal DNA (genetic) testing.
The ISOGG supports citizen participation in genetic research,[12] and believes such volunteers have provided valuable information and research to the professional scientific community.[13]
In a 2013 speech to the Southern California Genealogical Society, Spencer Wells discussed its encouragement of citizen scientists. He said:
Since 2005, the Genographic Project has used the latest genetic technology to expand our knowledge of the human story, and its pioneering use of DNA testing to engage and involve the public in the research effort has helped to create a new breed of "citizen scientist." Geno 2.0 expands the scope for citizen science, harnessing the power of the crowd to discover new details of human population history.[14]
Criticism
Shortly after the announcement of the project in April 2005, the Indigenous Peoples Council on Biocolonialism (IPCB) noted its connections to controversial issues (such as concern among some tribes that the results of genetic human migration studies might indicate that Native Americans are not indigenous to North America). The IPCB recommended against indigenous people participating.[15]
In May 2006, the project came to the attention of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII). UNPFII conducted investigations into the objectives of the Genographic Project, and recommended that National Geographic and other sponsors suspend the project.[16] Concerns were that the knowledge gleaned from the research could clash with long-held beliefs of indigenous peoples and threaten their cultures. There were also concerns that indigenous claims to land rights and other resources could be threatened.[17]
As of December 2006[update], some federally recognized tribes in the United States declined to take part in the study including Maurice Foxx, chairman of the Massachusetts Commission on Indian Affairs and a member of the Mashpee Wampanoag.[16]
Not all Indigenous peoples agree with his position; as of December 2012[update], more than 70,000 indigenous participants from the Americas, Africa, Asia, Europe, and Oceania had joined the project.[8]
See also
- Genealogical DNA test – DNA-based test
- Genetic diversity – Total number of genetic characteristics in the genetic makeup of a species
- Human genetic variation – Genetic diversity in human populations
- Human genetics – Study of inheritance as it occurs in human beings
- Human migration – Movement of people for resettlement
- Human mitochondrial DNA haplogroups
- Human Y-chromosome DNA haplogroups
- Mitochondrial Eve – Most recent common matrilineal ancestor of all humans
- Personal Genomics
- Y-chromosomal Adam – Most recent common ancestor (MRCA) from whom all currently living humans are descended patrilineally
- Y-chromosome haplogroups in populations of the world
References
- ^ "Council for Responsible Genetics". Archived from the original on 16 May 2008. Retrieved 16 May 2015.
- ^ a b c d e f Geno 2.0 Next Generation National Geographic. 28 June 2018. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
- ^ "Ocean Protection Funding | Waitt Foundation". Waitt Foundation. La Jolla, California. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
- ^ "Dr. Miguel Vilar is the 29th Speaker in UOG Presidential Lecture Series | University of Guam". www.uog.edu. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
- ^ The GenoChip: A New Tool for Genetic Anthropology Oxford Journals. 9 May 2013. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
- ^ Who Am I: Regions Overview
- ^ Helix DNA Sequencing and Geno 2.0 Helix. 26 January 2018. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
- ^ a b Next Generation Reference Populations National Geographic. 23 February 2018. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
- ^ Bonney, R. and LaBranche, M. (2004). "Citizen Science: Involving the Public in Research," ASTC Dimensions, May/June 2004, p. 13.
- ^ Baretto, C., Fastovsky, D. and Sheehan, P. (2003). "A Model for Integrating the Public into Scientific Research," Journal of Geoscience Education, 50 (1). pp. 71–75.
- ^ McCaffrey, R.E. (2005). "Using Citizen Science in Urban Bird Studies," Urban Habitats, 3 (1). pp. 70–86.
- ^ King, Turi E.; Jobling, Mark A. (2009). "What's in a name? Y chromosomes, surnames and the genetic genealogy revolution". Trends in Genetics. 25 (8): 351–60. doi:10.1016/j.tig.2009.06.003. hdl:2381/8106. PMID 19665817.
The International Society of Genetic Genealogy (www.isogg.org) advocates the use of genetics as a tool for genealogical research, and provides a support network for genetic genealogists. It hosts the ISOGG Y-haplogroup tree, which has the virtue of being regularly updated.
- ^ Mendex, etc. al., Fernando (28 February 2013). "An African American Paternal Lineage Adds an Extremely Ancient Root to the Human Y Chromosome Phylogenetic Tree". The American Society of Human Genetics. pp. 454–459. Retrieved 10 July 2013.
- ^ Wells, Spencer (2013). "The Genographic Project and the Rise of Citizen Science". Southern California Genealogical Society (SCGS). Archived from the original on 10 July 2013. Retrieved 10 July 2013.
- ^ Harry, Debra and Le'a Malia Kanehe. "Genetic Research: Collecting Blood to Preserve Culture?" Cultural Survival, 29.4 (Winter 2005). Accessed 4 February 2014.
- ^ a b Harmon, Amy (10 December 2006). "DNA Gatherers Hit Snag: Tribes Don't Trust Them". The New York Times.
- ^ "United Nations Recommends Halt to Genographic Project". ipcb.
External links
Official sites
- Genographic Project official site at National Geographic
- Arizona Research Laboratories (ARL)
- Waitt Family Foundation
News articles
- "Finding the roots of modern humans". CNN. 14 April 2005.
- "'Genographic Project' aims to tell us where we came from". USA Today. 17 April 2005.
- "Indigenous Peoples Oppose National Geographic", Indigenous Peoples Council on Biocolonialism, 13 April 2005.
- "Tracking the Truth", DB2 Magazine (IBM), information about IBM's role in the project. December 2006.
- Genographic Success Stories
- "Crusaders left genetic legacy". BBC News. 27 March 2008.
- "Human Line 'Nearly split in Two'". BBC News. 24 April 2008.
Videos
- Spencer Wells: Building a family tree for all humanity on YouTube, on TED, 29 August 2008.
- Articles with short description
- Articles containing potentially dated statements from December 2006
- All articles containing potentially dated statements
- Articles containing potentially dated statements from December 2012
- Use dmy dates from February 2022
- Genographic Project
- Human genome projects
- Genetic genealogy projects
- Citizen science
- Crowdsourcing
- American genealogy websites
- Internet properties established in 2005
- Internet properties disestablished in 2019
- Internet properties disestablished in 2020
- 2005 establishments in the United States
- 2019 disestablishments in the United States