Follow-up: Ancestry.com is under Fire as new DNA Algorithm Drastically Changes the Ethnicity of Some Users
The following is a follow-up to my previous article at: http://bit.ly/2DN6o8y:In the earlier article, I wrote:
“Ancestry.com is updating its databases
and altering the results for some users. The new findings of ethnic
origins has sent some users into a full-blown identity crisis. If you
previously had your DNA tested by Ancestry and have already found your
family’s ethnic origins, you might want to go back to the AncestryDNA
web site and check again. The results may have changed.”
Some readers posted comments posted at the end of the article by
newsletter readers questioned whether or not this was a new update to
Ancestry.com’s DNA databases. However, that question seems to be cleared
up by the following information written by the Ancestry Team and
published in the Ancestry Blog at https://blogs.ancestry.com/ancestry/2019/05/02/understanding-your-new-ethnicity-estimate/ on May 2, 2019:
“Understanding Your New Ethnicity Estimate
“We’re always looking for new ways to help
support our customers on their journeys of personal discovery. Often
that means updating our products and services to take advantage of the
most advanced science and technology.
“Last fall, we introduced the capability
to provide more precise ethnicity estimates to our customers using an
algorithm that analyzes longer segments of genetic information. For some
of our existing customers, this has meant that previous ethnicity
estimates have evolved as a result of this new technology.
“We recognize that an individual’s
personal sense of identity is very important and that any journey of
personal discovery may take turns that are surprising or unexpected.
However, it is important to keep in mind that your DNA doesn’t change,
but the science and technology behind understanding it constantly
evolves and we endeavor to ensure that this cutting-edge science is
reflected in our offerings.
“All AncestryDNA® customers who have not
already transitioned to their new, more precise ethnicity estimate will
be transitioned starting May 30, 2019. If you received your AncestryDNA®
results prior to September 2018 and wish to keep a record of your prior
results, you may download them by July 20, 2019.”
