What Can My Ancestry Get Me?

While most genealogists will say their pursuit of ancestry answers is driven by curiosity or passion, some people are reportedly in it for a bit more. DNA tests, especially, are being used to "prove" degrees of ancestry that can pay off big. Find 3% Asian ancestry in your genes, and improve your chances of getting into the college of your choice. Prove a degree of American Indian blood, and maybe you can stake a claim to tribal casino money. Why does everything have to be "what's in it for me?"

"Given the [genetic DNA] tests' speculative nature, it seems unlikely that colleges, governments and other institutions will embrace them," says Amy Harmon in an article on DNA 'status' in The New York Times. "But that has not stopped many test-takers from adopting new DNA-based ethnicities — and a sense of entitlement to the privileges typically reserved for them."

"Prospective employees with white skin are using the tests to apply as minority candidates, while some with black skin are citing their European ancestry in claiming inheritance rights," the article continues. "One Christian is using the test to claim Jewish genetic ancestry and to demand Israeli citizenship, and Americans of every shade are staking a DNA claim to Indian scholarships, health services and casino money."

One such ethnic DNA testing company, DNA Print Genomics, actually went so far as to advertise its tests for such uses a few years ago, touting them as a method for validating "eligibility for race-based college admissions or government entitlements," as well as for people simply interested in their own genetic origins. Numerous other companies also offer these tests to connect your genetic profile with specific populations or bio-geographical ancestry groups. What isn't often obvious to lay-people, however, is that these types of DNA tests -- especially for females -- go so far back in the family tree to determine ethnic percentages that they have little bearing on a person's recent ancestors. More recent ethnic ancestry can be determined, but generally only in conjunction with more traditional research, and by comparing your DNA results with others who have researched their ethnic origins.

Personally, I'm a huge fan of genetic testing as a tool for tracing ancestral identity. DNA tests can sometimes be used to bolster genealogy connections in cases where more traditional records no longer exist, or in situations where family connections were, perhaps, a bit more "off the record." But using a DNA test to "create" an identity for yourself is taking things a bit too far, in my opinion.

Racial or ethnic identity -- however you choose to define it -- can't be bought. If you don't have strong Native American roots and identity without a test, then how can the results found in a few drops of blood change that? Is a small section of shared DNA really enough to reflect an individual's belonging to a specific group or community? What about shared experiences, challenges, history? Claiming an ancestral or ethnic identity to which you have no *real* connection for the sole purpose of making yourself look better or improve your opportunities isn't ancestry - it's just plain wrong.