During a recent DNA experiment, more than half of the biotechnology students at Piedmont Hills High School in San Jose, CA, were very surprised to find they were linked to the same ancestor, born more than 100,000 years ago in central China or Taiwan. Even more surprising -- the 17 related students came from a variety of racial and ethnic backgrounds -- African-American, European, Japanese, Indian, Taiwanese, Chinese, Filipino, Mexican, Vietnamese and Korean.

According to the Mercury News, the students, led by teacher Carolyn Abbott, tested for a specific genetic mutation, called an alu, that first occurred in one human being, and then spread worldwide over thousands of years through progeny and migration. Scientists believe that the specific alu used in this particular experiement originated in eastern China or Taiwan - which may account for the high prevalence of the alu in Abbott's class, which is majority Asian. However, one white student was surprised to find herself also included in the group, while another student whose family came from northern India, was surprised to learn that he has more in common genetically with a classmate of Mexican and European descent, than with another classmate whose heritage is also northern Indian.

The DNA experiment, supported by the Santa Clara County Biotechnology Education Partnership, is one of many such high school experiments scheduled for students this year. "We are 99 percent the same," said program director, Katy Korsmeyer. "That's what we want students to understand." Science educators estimate that as many as 50,000 students do the experiment nationwide. Read more...