What is Autosomal DNA Testing?

Autosomal DNA testing is a method for determining the parentage of an individual. DNA testing is becoming increasingly common among the public for determining ancestry and parentage. Previously used only for legal and governmental purposes, DNA testing is now being used by individuals as well. DNA testing has many uses but its main use is providing help in proving relationships.

The human genetic make - up is perhaps the most authentic part of the body. The DNA structure of an individual or family has a similar pattern, which helps in determining their relation and identity. A DNA, when it gets passed on from generation to generation, retains many of its features, and loses some. The features which remain unchanged help in the verification of the family history. Determining the exact family tree of an individual may not be possible, but proving one person’s relationship with another and finding out whether or not they had the same ancestor is quite a possibility.

Autosomal DNA testing is commonly used in pate
ity tests. In fact, it has gained wide publicity because o the frequent pate
ity law suits that are being filed these days. The FBI possesses 14 markers in its DNA database. These are normally used for conducting Autosomal DNA tests. These markers are called “CODIS” and are use in DNA fingerprinting as well as in pate
ity tests. Autosomal DNA testing is also being used in bio - geographical ancestry mapping. This test can determine the geographic heritage of a person. Though chances of error in this kind of test are high, it can be used to have a rough idea about the geographical base a person’s ancestors lived in.

Autosomal DNA testing can be conducted in various organizations, both government and private. The cost for an Autosomal DNA test can be anything between $200 and $500. The great thing about this DNA test is that it gives a percentage of the European, Sub -Sahara African, Native American and East Indian genes that are present in a person. In fact, if a person wants to trace an exact region, he can do so as well.

As with any scientific procedure, Autosomal DNA testing too has many uses and a few drawbacks as well. They are listed as below:

Autosomal DNA tests can only take you back a few generations in your family tree. Research is going on to find out ways in which the time limit can be increased as much as possible.

It is very possible, in fact it is common, that two siblings inherit different amounts of genetic components from the parent, be it mother or father. For example, while the brother may inherit 20% genetic component from the mother, the sister gets 40%. Finding out the original ancestry percentage is thus not possible.

As ancestry gets deepened, the effect of Autosomal DNA testing gets faded. This is because the DNA chromosome gets diluted from generation to generation.

Autosomal DNA testing has provided great inroads into the mysteries of human ancestry.