Survey: DNA testing as part of genealogy
How do you use DNA in modern genealogy? Have personal DNA analyzes influenced the perception of our genetic heritage, and how does it affect the perception of cultural heritage? These are some of the questions posed in the project DNA testing as part of genealogy that are currently conducting a survey in Swedish on the subject.
Kristian Kristiansen, professor since 1994 in archeology at the University of Gothenburg, has been working closely with the DNA research team in Copenhagen since 2011, led by Professor Eske Willerslev. This has resulted in several breakthroughs regarding our understanding of the importance of migrations in prehistory. Well described by Karin Bojs and Peter Sjölund in their books.
Kristian Kristiansen is the Deputy Director for the Centre for Critical Heritage Studies at the University of Gothenburg, and through this work he is interested in investigating how to use DNA in modern genealogy and what experiences - positive and possibly negative - users have from it. Have the personal DNA analyzes for example influenced the perception of our genetic heritage, and how does it affect the perception of cultural heritage? Many new and exciting questions that we hope to answer.
A collaboration has therefore been initiated with Mats Ahlgren as a link to genealogy, and we have together done a survey in Swedish. We have also received help from Daniel Brodén, a researcher with experience from similar analyzes of cultural heritage carried out at the SOM Institute at the University of Gothenburg.
Sweden is currently the Nordic country with the highest number of people who have conducted personal DNA analysis, as part of its interest in genealogy.
All responses are anonymized and the results will be presented in published form. When the results are available, it is our intention to convene a seminar discussing the outcome, with representation from users, science journalists and researchers.