The main goal of this article is to highlight the importance of Africans' contribution to the expansion of humanity's genetic archive. Today, people from all walks of life are coming together for this purpose. While some individuals consider family history research as a personal decision, others feel compelled by an unknown force to explore their ancestry. For me, it is a divine and eternal task. Ancestors of all races, who are buried in their graves, are overjoyed when their DNA and history are saved, connecting them to their living descendants. The love we have for ourselves today is the same love that our deceased family members have for us in the spirit world. Those who are alive today will also be proud of their descendants who continue to preserve their family tree. The dead are honored and happy when they are remembered and linked to the living.
I urge those concerned to make a conscious effort to contribute to saving the DNA of Africans. This can be achieved by raising awareness among the African population and diaspora about the importance of family history research and investing in the project. Africa's genealogy is an untapped market that has the potential to yield significant returns in the future.
- You take a simple cheek swab ( buccal method) or other and send it back to the DNA genealogy company.
- They analyze your DNA, develop your DNA profile, and destroy your sample.
- Next, they compare your profile to find DNA matches. They determine your present-day country and ethnic tribe.
- Then, they share your results with other family members of the same lineage who have also taken the test.
Lineage tracing is therefore narrowed to a specific region of ethnicity. Using DNA alone to find one's genetic cousins is not genealogy.
DNA MISCONCEPTION IN AFRICA
DNA tests have been utilized by Africans for purposes beyond tracing family lineage. It's important to note that DNA cannot supplant the results and standards of conventional genealogical research. When it comes to unearthing evidence about a particular ancestor to address a research objective, DNA serves as a sophisticated tool that enhances, rather than replaces, traditional research methods.
In countries with advanced genealogical research such as the United States, England, Italy, Germany, and the Scandinavian nations, the application of DNA in genealogy is gaining traction. These countries recognize that one can upload their DNA results to an online database to find matches with individuals who share common ancestors. This becomes feasible when those matches have also uploaded their DNA results to the same database. As interest in genealogy continues to grow, it's anticipated that the value of DNA testing will be universally acknowledged by those in pursuit of their ancestry.
However, the common understanding in Africa is that DNA is typically used to verify the biological parentage of a child in cases of disputed responsibility. It may also be employed to make strides in medical research, but not for identifying distant relatives or tracing ethnic origins.
PROSPECTS FOR SAVING AFRICA DNA
Given the scarcity of genealogical records in Africa, genetic genealogy emerges as a viable solution to address the lack of records, which has led many to abandon their pursuit of tracing their ancestry beyond the 4th and 5th generations. It's becoming increasingly evident that genetic genealogy could potentially offer a sustainable solution. At present, documenting an African's ancestry beyond a few generations using records is challenging due to factors outlined in https://capecoastgenealogist.wordpress.com/2024/01/22/african-genealogy/. With the relentless progress of information technology, many cherished African values and practices are fading and are on the brink of extinction. This trend also poses a threat to the deeply valued ancestral connections, particularly among the younger generations.
Conversely, genetic genealogy could accurately preserve genealogical information for current and future generations. The absence of a concerted effort to raise awareness and motivate Africans to contribute to the global genetic database is a missed opportunity that could lead to regret in the future.
THE RICH GENETIC DIVERSITY OF AFRICA
As the continent with the highest genetic diversity globally, Africa plays a crucial role in linking humanity. The genetic diversity of Africa can be seen as a bridge that unites all of humankind. Many Africans can discover traces of DNA in their genetic profiles that link them to other continents.
WHO CAN HELP SAVE AFRICANS DNA?
Companies specializing in genealogy such as FamilySearch, Ancestry DNA, 23andme, MyHeritage DNA, Family TeeDNA, and other organizations with a shared interest and vision for advancing genealogical research may align in their goal of preserving DNA samples from individuals to enrich the global reference genetic archive.
Any initiative to preserve the DNA of Africans today will be eternally cherished by future generations of Africans. In the coming five decades or more, Africans will also have the opportunity to find their DNA matches by submitting their DNA results to platforms designed to identify such matches, thereby enhancing genealogical research in Africa. This is a call to action for preserving the DNA of the world’s most genetically diverse population - Africa!
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