[20080312]RS22830_遗传祖先检测.pdf

1 Bolnick D.A. et al., “The Science and Business of Genetic Ancestry Testing,” Science, 318:399-400, October 19, 2007.2 Admixture mapping can be defined as estimating the proportions of an individuals genome thathave ancestry from different subpopulations.Order Code RS22830March 12, 2008Genetic Ancestry TestingAmanda K. SarataAnalyst in Health Policy and GeneticsDomestic Social Policy DivisionSummaryInterest in genetic testing to determine ancestry has increased rapidly since itsintroduction in 2000. Many individuals are eager to learn more about their ancestors,and believe genetic testing will be able to provide information where other traditionalgenealogical methods have failed. While genetic ancestry testing may in some cases beable to provide very general information, it also currently has many limitations. The verycomplex relationship between race, genetics, and ancestry further complicates thistesting and the interpretation of results. Genetic ancestry testing may, therefore, raiseseveral policy issues. This report describes genetic ancestry testing, outlines the basicscientific limitations of the testing currently, and provides an overview of the policyissues this testing ma