Recently, exciting progress has been made in recovering DNA from ancient burial sites, but it remains broadly true that making inferences into the past from DNA requires assumptions and mathematical models, and input from other fields such as history, archaeology and studies of historic geography and climate. Genetic technology can tell us about the DNA of people alive today in different parts of the world. This type of testing is distinct from genetic genealogy which uses DNA in combination with genealogical and historical records, and which is therefore mainly focused on recent centuries. In these pages we will focus on "genetic ancestry" testing: the use of your DNA to make statements about your "deep ancestry", such as where your ancestors lived hundreds or even thousands of years ago, and perhaps their cultural identities (such as Celts, Vikings, Mongols etc). It is also inevitable that some will seek to abuse this trust, often with a commercial motive but sometimes the motive seems to be promotion of a world view or political philosophy. Understandably, members of the public tend to respect and trust scientific professionals who can wield these powerful new tools. From DNA evidence in crime cases to population-wide studies of genetic disease, immensely-powerful DNA technology is transforming our world.
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