Hello,
I find it interesting watching the comments on the article ...
DNA Ancestry Tests Are 'Meaningless' for Your Historical Genealogy Search
Read more at:
http://www.medicaldaily.com/articles/14210/20130307/dna-ancestry-tests-me...
The article states ...
Professors David Balding and Mark Thomas of the University College London warn in a public
statement from the Sense About Science campaign group that (quote) you cannot look at DNA
and read it like a book or a map of a journey (unquote) without supporting historical
evidence.
In the strict sense they are correct. The European University system teaches that one must
accept facts of history presented and interpreted by experts within the field. And based
on their particular model, they are correct, DNA tests are meaningless. This is similar to
what is happening within the United States where certain types of medical DNA testing must
be (according to its proponents) presented and interpreted by experts within the medical
field. In a way this is trade craft (or union) protectionism at its best. It assumes that
people should be be told what to think and do by the experts or elites in those fields. It
assumes people, not formally trained by the system, can not learn, adapt and make proper
adjustments to the standard system. It assumes that rocking the boat or being a cowboy in
the American sense is bad for society. To be blunt, it is part of a generic socialist or
elitist viewpoint. One must know their place to be a proper member of society!
Even in the less strict sense their statement is mostly correct. DNA at this point of
understanding and technology is not accurate to be read like a modern historical book or
navigational map. I would use the historical understanding or allegory that current
levels of DNA learning is breaking out of its medieval period into its earlier
renaissance. Imagine what the history books and navigation maps were like back then
compared to modern versions.
We all know that the DNA lodestones can be helpful to our genetic journeys. We know or
should know that certain assumptions are made of the DNA mathematical modeling that show
DNA constellations or haplogroups. And we accept those limitations because we have found
the results to be helpful. We are finding paths, trade routes and understanding in our
journeys. Just think of how the Y-DNA Haplogroups have been redefined in just about the
last decade.
Genetic genealogy and specifically DNA has rocked the Euro-centric educational model. It
has had an major impact across major educational disciplines and forced a new way of
thinking about our past. As we (citizen & professional scientists) explore, journey,
theorize (i.e. create deep ancestry genetic stories), test and compare, please remember
... We are in the renaissance or the great awaking or revival period.
And as explorers and reporters of our genetic journey and mapping, ... resist the
temptations of the snake charmers and patent medicines of old to elaborate and not to cry
out ... there be Dragons here!
John R. Carpenter
La Mesa, CA
Carpenter Cousins Y-DNA Project
http://carpentercousins.com/carpdna.htm