Dentists Providing Genetic Testing

Next time you visit the dentist, you may be handed a brochure encouraging you to get genetic testing. Not for diseases (although that may be coming soon), but to trace your family ancestry. DNA Print Genomics Inc. plans to enlist dentists–who will pay to to be a part of the program–to sell ANCESTRYbyDNA.

Our scientists have discovered a method to focus DNA analysis on only those regions of the DNA that are meaningful in determining the anthropological origins of an individual’s ancestry. These Ancestry Informative Markers (AIMs) are used to quantitatively estimate the BioGeographical Ancestry of an individual. For example, one person may obtain a 90% European, 10% sub-Saharan African result while another may obtain a 100% East Asian result.

DNA samples straight from the dentist must be a lot cleaner than post-prandial ones.

The Herald-Tribune, June 23, 2006

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