Global DNA Project to Study Human Ancestry

Steve writes "The National Geographic Society and IBM are teaming up to map the history of human migration using DNA. The Genographic Project aims to collect 100,000 genetic samples which will be used trace the movements of humans out of Africa and around the globe. While the most useful samples will come from indiginous populations, members of the general public will be able to mail in their own DNA on special cheek swabs."

DNA sample

[super_ogg]

I can see it now, spit in an envelope and sending it to DNA department.
PS. No horking big lugies.

ogg

Re:Huge DNA repository...

[avandesande]

What's the matter, you dont like Jenna Jamison?

Preparing its defense

[Anonymous Coward]

This is really just an attempt by IBM to prepare a defense against SCO that shows that Wookiees do not, in fact, come from Endor.

Re:Polishing the tin foil

[WhatAmIDoingHere]

Because we all know how EVIL National Geographic is!

I wonder...

[hcob$]

if they accecpt other swabbing techniques? The "other" dna sources would probably get a huge male bias to the data though.

Re:Great

[SUB7IME]

Every time someone uses their hands to touch an envelope or their tongue to seal it, they are probably leaving trace amounts of *gasp* DNA on the envelope. OH NO! There's probably DNA floating around EVERYWHERE by now!

And what if they sneezed a little virus particle onto the letter that they wrote to you!?

Interesting

[dfn5]

I can't wait for them to discover that humans started their migration 5,000 years ago when they were chased out of eden by the dinosaurs.

Warning!

[Anonymous Coward]

These cheek swabs are not oral! You have been warned.

Fun with DNA samples

[Anonymous Coward]

I'd like too see their reaction if someone sent them the DNA of a chimpanzee... Given the similarity between the two DNAs, it might take them them a while to figure that one out...

How'd that work...

[Mr. Underbridge]

A few years ago I got the analysis done and sent the results back to Ma 'n Pa for Mother's Day and Father's Day gifts.

...when it turned out your paternal line came from the mailman? ;)

Cheeky Web Developers use DNA to migrate ...

[rewinn]

... from platform to platform.

But I can't see why the National Geographic cares.

Re:Educational Television

[hesiod]

> I watch CSI, you know!

I've never heard this on CSI: "We searched CODIS and the National Geographic DNA Database."

Re: Interesting

[Black Parrot]

> I can't wait for them to discover that humans started their migration 5,000 years ago when they were chased out of eden by the dinosaurs.

You're on to them! They were going to use the DNA to backtrace the migration and find the flaming sword, which they will sell on ebay for a pretty penny.

Re:Interesting

[HrothgarReborn]

Quit being silly. We left Eden almost 6,000 years ago. Uneducated clod.

It has to be said.

[Anonymous Coward]

public will be able to mail in their own DNA on special cheek swabs.

If crumpled up tissues count as these cheeked swabs then I can meet their 100,000 quota by tonight.

Don't worry, I wont have to change any of my usual plans.

Tin Foil cheek coverings

[ChaosCube]

So, how many out there think this is a government funded plot to genetically tag everyone on the planet, starting with a very innocent looking 100k?

Prepare to superglue foil inside you entire mouth. You know, just in case of some forced swab penetration.

Re:Educational Television

[TheBrownShow]

>> I watch CSI, you know!

>I've never heard this on CSI: "We searched CODIS and the National Geographic DNA Database."

No? It was the same episode where they searched Slashdot for people who could take a joke. They didn't find anything.

Re:Interesting

[mazarin5]

the Earth was created on Oct 26, 4004 B.C. at 9:00 am.

So the Earth is a Scorpio? No wonder...

Re:DNA is the ANTI CHRIST

[Frumious Wombat]

No, No. Eve was a hominid, from after the split between monkeys and the rest of the apes.

The monkeys are over in aisle three, trying to reproduce Shakespeare.