How Genetic Testing Can Unlock Mysteries of the Past

Everyone has a family story written by the ancestors that came before them. These ancient people and historic events are a part of each individual’s personal heritage. Many people enjoy unlocking the past, searching tirelessly for the identity of their ancestors. For some, finding information about their heritage may seem impossible. However, there are several methods that can be used to give a person valuable insight into their past. A person who has an uncanny love for the arts may find that their great-great grandmother was an accomplished artist. People who have a hidden connection with Italy may find a distant relationship with the Italians. Family ancestry can answer all of these questions.

Photo not mine

Who can genetic testing benefit?

Whether a person is determined to discover their specific heritage and lineage or they are simply dabbling in their ancestry for fun, there are many ways that genetic testing can help find the secrets that they are looking for. People who may find this helpful include:

• People who have followed a paper trail that has come to a sudden halt.

• People who want scientific proof to back up their findings.

• People who are looking for a quick and affordable way to find out ancestral information.

• People who are looking to find out if a specific person shares their heritage.

• People looking to solve an ancestral mystery. Was their great grandfather really a famous performer?

• People who want to know their geographical area of origin. 

Finally deciding to discover your ancestral origins through genetic testing can answer a multitude of questions for many people seeking to find out their family story.

How does it work?

Genetic testing begins by submitting a swab containing mucosal cells from the inner cheek. The sample is sent to a laboratory where the DNA is extracted and a unique genetic profile is created. There are several types of genetic testing one can use to gain insightful information into their past. During a y-DNA test, several genetic markers from each DNA profile are compared to others in a central genetic database. Those who share a match have a similar genetic profile and share a common ancestor.

Once people find others that share common ancestors, they can exchange genealogy information. People may find themselves paired with another person who has done a great deal of research and can offer a large amount of information about their lineage.

What can DNA testing do?

DNA genetic testing can:

• Link specific individuals with one another, allowing people to see if they share a common ancestor.

• Map out the origins of people with a shared genetic profile. People are able to tell if they have African American or European ancestry.

• Disprove or prove a shared ancestry between people with the same surname.

Genetic testing can unlock a wealth of information, giving people a better sense of self by telling them where they originated from.


Family ancestry means different things to different people. For some people, understanding their ancestry and heredity helps them uncover who they are and what they stand for. For others, it is a direct link to the past. Genetic testing can be an invaluable tool for those who wish to apply scientific technology to the old art of ancestry.

What to Know about Scoliosis

Photo credit: yahoo images

Scoliosis is when the spine curves in any way that is not considered normal – from side to side. This usually happens for teenagers going through puberty, because the spine does not stay straight as they go through the large growth spurt. Because it can happen to anyone, everyone should know about the problem and know when they need to get a scoliosis genetic test.

Scoliosis: The Basics

There are a few different causes of scoliosis. One of the most common is the fact that it runs in families, so it has something to do with the DNA of people. This is important to know because if scoliosis runs in your family, you should watch yourself and your children to see whether there are any signs. It can also occur as a result of back injuries or infections in the spine itself. Some people experience scoliosis as a birth defect, so the symptoms will be seen at a much younger age.

There are some signs and symptoms of scoliosis to keep an eye out for. One of the symptoms is when the shoulders are not even as the person is standing straight up. One shoulder blade may stick out farther than the other. Lastly, the person may have an uneven waist, or one side of the hip may be higher than the other. In the more severe cases, a person may experience one side of the ribs sticking out farther than the other. They will likely experience a lot of back pain and may even have trouble breathing easily.

Getting Tested

There are multiple ways to get tested for scoliosis. A doctor may just need to see the way you stand and bend to tell if your spine is crooked or not. You can also get a scoliosis genetic test if the problem has affected any family members. If you think you may have scoliosis or may be a high-risk patient, it is important to get tested to know whether you need to start treatment or not. Scoliosis will usually get worse over time if it is left alone, so it is best to take care of it right away.