Those home use DNA test kits are a mixed blessing. If you trace the lineage back far enough in some particular direction, you’re very likely to find out things you may have been better off not knowing. For medical use, such tests serve a great purpose, to warn potential parents what recessed genes may be passed on to any unborn children.
Of the people who really get into ‘researching’ their family tree, I have found some are truly just curious, while others are searching for something that is missing in their lives.
Some are searching for something that would explain why their lives are developing as they presently are.
It’s almost like consulting a Quija Board for answers.
If you trace your lineage ... you’re very likely to find out things you may have been better off not knowing.”
Like what?
My wife discovered she had more German in her than English. Which may explain why she often breaks into a goose-step.
My whole family did the tests, and unless the results indicate that one individual is a "cuckoo," the findings are usually so vague and at times laughable (my Jewish-Russian mother-in-law discovered that she had "Peruvian" ancestry!) there's no possibility of harm being done (unless you are completely naive and place too much faith in the tests).
For medical use, such tests serve a great purpose, to warn potential parents what recessed genes may be passed on to any unborn children.
THOSE tests are much more refined, and provide detailed findings about specific gene sequences and the possibility of hidden genetic disorders! Here the possibility of the subject suffering psychological distress is much greater!
Of the people who really get into ‘researching’ their family tree, I have found some are truly just curious, while others are searching for something that is missing in their lives.
This is a different topic. Anyone who has invested any effort in seriously researching their family tree will experience NO surprises when viewing his "ancestry.com" test results.
Some are searching for something that would explain why their lives are developing as they presently are. It’s almost like consulting a Quija Ouija Board for answers.
True.
Regards,
I discovered my father’s father was not who we thought, but a man who loved near my grandmother and apparently attacked her one day.
I remember back in the 70s when they novel, "Roots," came out and the miniseries followed. It spawned a whole new interest in genealogy. I remember a priest at our church was giving a sermon and quipped that, "Now people are spending a lot of time and effort to uncover their family's past, and once they do, many end up spending even more time and effort trying to cover it back up!"