Understanding Genetic Testing Part I

Most people are relatively sure of their heritage and confident that they have a firm grasp on who they are and where they come from. But how many of us truly know much beyond our great-grandparents? Even the most detailed family tree only goes back a few centuries. If you could, would you want to know who your ancient ancestors were thousands of years ago? Genetic testing is a window back in time allowing us to see specific DNA markers that will link us to our own lost history.
Over the course of this blog I will define terms such as Haplogroups and Polymorphism as well as talk about the science that allows us to identify the specific genes which will unlock our genetic potential. A genetic testing company called Warrior Roots, has developed a unique Warrior Athletic Profile which examines 9 specific genes. These genes give us insight into such traits as your body's ability to build strength or aerobic fitness as well as other factors that play a major role in determining the physical tendencies we possess. I will also explain the role that Mitochondrial DNA testing has in tracing your mother's heritage back thousands of years to its ancient origins. By combining the results of a Y-chromosome male lineage test with Mitochondrial DNA testing we can get the most complete picture of our ancient ancestry.
So stay tuned to the blog as I explain how science has unlocked the origins of your bloodline and established a connection with your perfectly preserved ancient history. Or you can jump right in and have yourself tested with a simple swab kit available at www.warriorroots.com If you are following this blog you can use the discount code (Leon0810) and save yourself quite a bit of money on any testing that you request.
So lets get down to it.... A haplogroup is a group of similar haplotypes that share a common ancestor with a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) mutation.
In human genetics, the haplogroups most commonly studied are Y-chromosome (Y-DNA) haplogroups and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplogroups, both of which can be used to define genetic populations. Y-DNA is passed solely along the patrilineal line, from father to son, while mtDNA is passed down the matrilineal line, from mother to offspring of both sexes. So again what we are say is A Y-DNA haplogroup is defined as all of the male descendants of the single person who first showed a particular SNP mutation, an mtDNA haplogroup is defined as all of the female descendants of the single person who first showed a particular polymorphism, or SNP mutation.
To see a current world haplogroup map go to:
http://www.scs.uiuc.edu/~mcdonald/WorldHaplogroupsMaps.pdf
There are several companies that do this type of testing but Warrior Roots is the only company that not only tests for your ancient migration path but looks at specific genes which is something entirely different!! My next blog entry will explain the terminology and science behind this type of genetic testing and what we can learn from looking at the athletic genes. For an example of what an Athletic Profile Test looks like go to www.warriorroots.com and enter discount code (leon0810) when ordering to save yourself a little money for following my blog.