Spike Lee Encourages DNA Testing
Black History Month has begun with Spike Lee encouraging VH1 Soul viewers to learn more about their African ancestry through DNA testing at African Ancestry, Inc. Through February 28, 2007, VH1 Soul viewers will get a $99 discount off each DNA testing kit they purchase: MatriClan, PatriClan, Family Package.
As convincing as Spike Lee may be, there are doubts about the accuracy of ancestral DNA tests offered by companies like African Ancestry. Last October, the Washington Post reported:
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10% of black Americans were able to matcht heir mitochrondrial DNa with a single African ethnic group
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40% had no match
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DNA tests can give people a regional guesstimate but nothing as specific as an ethnic group identification
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The maternal side of a black family almost always goes back to Africa
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30% of Y-chromosome tests in black Americans lead to Europe
However, if you’ve done extensive research using historical records and other non-DNA based resources, you may be able to compare and confirm findings.
Some of the celebrities who’ve had their DNA tested include Whoopi Goldberg, Isaiah Washington, LeVar Burton and Chris Tucker; former U.N. ambassador Andrew Young; and, of course, film director Spike Lee. Oprah has also had her DNA tested and claims to be from the Zulu tribe in South Africa.
NB: You’re letting me down, YouTube. I can’t believe no one has uploaded a video of the Spike Lee commercial yet. If you know where we can watch the commercial, please leave a comment!
PRNewswire, January 31, 2007
Tags: black history month, blacks, african americans, black americans, spike lee, genetics, genealogy, genes, dna, africa, health, vh1, african ancestry, dna tests
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POSTED IN: Genealogy and DNA, Genetics and Celebrities
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2 opinions for Spike Lee Encourages DNA Testing
Cash
Feb 2, 2007 at 8:22 pm
Dr. Lei,
DNA matches are all the rage! By mid-2007 expect someone to put “nano” in front of DNA matching and get $10 million from venture capitalists just for the name ( if you take my idea, I want 50% ) …
… people are interested in their ancestry. It used to be you could do those family tree things and then tell people you were descended from a King of England or something. You and 16 million other people.
I want to tell people I am descended from Archimedes. Statistically there’s a good chance some part of me came from him, right???
Pat
May 1, 2007 at 4:41 pm
For blacks whose descendants came as colonial slaves, DNA may be the only method of establishing their cultural heritage as native of America prior to birth certificates, census and registration requirements.
All blacks should have DNA testing to discern both biological heritage and national heritage.
For most whites, the same is true except that genealogy files are able to be found, but difficult at times, and always arduous.
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