What is DNA testing for ethnicity?

DNA testing for ethnicity is the testing of a person’s DNA to gain information about their ethnic background, based completely on their genes. With this type of DNA testing, you will be able to gain information on the background of your own genes and the genes of your family members.

How does DNA testing for ethnicity work?

Before we can test your DNA for ethnicity, we must obtain a DNA sample. We do this by collecting buccal cells, or cheek cells, from inside a person’s cheek using a cheek swab made of cotton. This is a painless, non-invasive method of gathering DNA samples. After we have your DNA sample, we will remove everything but the DNA itself.

Each person has a unique set of DNA. All of a person’s DNA put together is called a genome. When people are related by ethnicity, their genomes are more similar to each other than when they are not part of the same ethnic group. When we compare the genomes of multiple people, we are able to see how similar their genomes, and thus ethnicities, are.

There are a few ways we can test your DNA for ethnicity:

1) Testing of your paternal line (Y-DNA testing)

Y-DNA testing is the testing of the Y chromosome in males to gather genetic information about that person’s paternal family line. Because females do not have a Y chromosome, they cannot take this test and will need to seek a different type of ethnic DNA testing.

2) Testing of your maternal line (mtDNA testing)

The testing of your mitochondrial DNA is known as mtDNA testing. Mitochondria are the organelles inside your cells that provide the cells with energy. These organelles contain their own DNA, separate from the rest of the cell, and therefore we are able to test this DNA on its own. You inherit your mitochondrial DNA from your mother, so this DNA testing can provide information about your genetic maternal line. Both males and females inherit their mother’s mitochondrial DNA and therefore both genders are able to take this type of ethnic DNA test.

3) Autosomal DNA testing

Autosomal DNA testing is the testing of all of your DNA besides your sex chromosomes. This can be done for both males and females and is usually the best option for ethnic DNA testing. With Y-DNA and mtDNA testing, you will receive information about your paternal and maternal lines, which can go very far back in history, but the rest of your family tree will be a mystery. With autosomal DNA testing, however, we can piece your complete family tree together to help you learn more about your genetic ethnicity.

What kind of results will I receive?

If you undergo autosomal DNA testing, your results will come in the form of a percentage of ancestry. For instance, one person may have DNA ancestry that is 21% Japanese, 13% South African, and 66% Spanish.

With Y-DNA and mtDNA testing, your results will be a list of likely haplogroups. A haplogroup is an ethnic group that usually stems from a certain part of the world. For example, with mtDNA testing, your results might indicate that you are part of an L haplogroup, which indicates African ancestry. When you receive your DNA results, we will explain all of these results to you.

If you want to know more about your ethnic history, contact us today to schedule an ethnic DNA test appointment with the best DNA testing lab in NYC.

For more information, visit our main website: https://www.abdnatestingservices.com/

References:

https://www.dna-testing-adviser.com/EthnicDNATesting.html

https://www.vox.com/science-and-health/2019/1/28/18194560/ancestry-dna-23-me-myheritage-science-explainer

https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003414.htm