CRC Report for Congress …That may be somewhat of a help to him…
Genetic Ancestry Testing
Amanda K. Sarata Analyst in Health Policy and Genetics Domestic Social Policy Division Order Code RS22830 March 12, 2008
Overview of Genetic Ancestry Testing There is significant interest in the United States, a country predominantly composed of fairly recent immigrants, in utilizing genealogical research to learn more about individual ancestral roots. Until recently, genealogists had only the traditional tools of their trade available to them to conduct this research, such as historical documents and other paper records. More recently, with the commercialization of genetic ancestry testing, genealogists and others have gained access to a new tool. Genetic ancestry testing may be used to identify biological relatives, validate genealogical records, and to fill in gaps in family histories.1 In addition, this testing may be used to aid in medical risk calculation, forensic investigations, admixture mapping,2 and the assessment of ancestry for sociopolitical purposes such as affirmative action qualification or Native American tribal affiliation.3 This report considers only non-health and non-forensic applications of genetic ancestry testing. http://assets.opencrs.com/rpts/RS22830_20080312.pdf
…it is estimated that roughly 460,000 people have undergone testing at a cost ranging anywhere from $100 to $900 per test.6 These tests are termed “recreational” in deference to and in contrast with genetic tests performed for health or forensic purposes…
…The third type of testing, autosomal marker testing, utilizes markers located on autosomes (non-sex chromosomes). It is currently offered by a company called DNAPrint Genomics. Autosomal marker testing is the most challenging type of testing since it requires a substantial amount of data to ensure the accurate interpretation of the results…