Here’s what I don’t understand. Doesn’t Prof. Gates teach there and isn’t he the one who has just finished a series of programs documenting people’s roots, especially using DNA? All they need is to give her a test and we’ll all know what kind of heritage she has. I haven’t seen anyone even suggest this and wonder why not.
From what I understand of that test, (and I admit I’m no geneticist,) it uses the mitochondrial RNA to trace maternal ancestry only, or if you’re a guy it can also use the Y chromosome to trace paternal ancestry. What that means is, if the branch of the family you’re trying to trace crossed genders at any point, (such as a maternal grandfather, or a paternal grandmother) it won’t show on the test. The DNA is still there, but it’s mixed together and can’t be sorted out from the “background” as easily, whereas the mitochondrial RNA always comes from the mother, and the Y chromosome always comes from the father.
That’s the hobby-scientist’s understanding of it, anyway. Those with more experience are welcome to correct me on this.