Culture Briefings

Connecting the dots

I’m reading a book called, "Pathfinders - A global history of exploration."  It attempts to trace the history of mankind. In it’s own words,

"This book is about encounters - encounters between cultures- and the outreach of ambition, imagination, efforts and innovations that made them possible."

So last night, as I was reading about the divergence and convergence of cultures traced through DNA in this book– Nightline, incidentally played a short feature on how genes can help you discover your ancestry.

The feature is heavily based on the philosophy and efforts on one particular USA based company called Sorenson Genomics. Sorenson has collected about 100,000 samples of DNA from 172 countries over the world and is building an extensive database that will help people trace their genetic lineage.

"I think the hypothesis was that if he could get any two people in a
room, and through this database show them how they were related and
where they came from and how they belonged … that this would change the
way they would feel about each other. That instead of animosity perhaps
they would feel a connection and that would lead to a more peaceful
environment," David said.

I am obviously very interested. My grandparents are from Karachi, Pakistan - what then used to be India. They fled to Bombay, India around 1947 and have since dug their roots there. With the death of my grandparents, it felt like a part of my family history was stubbed right there. Oral history tends to get lost over generations and all that is left is curiosity.

Sorenson Genomics have created DNA kits available for $150 — they use their existing (and ever increasing) database to help you connect your dots. Yesterday on Nightline, Martin Bashir of Indian descent learned that his ancestors were Africans, Rajputs from Rajasthan and Brahmins from Uttar Pradesh.
Another DNA-tester who was adopted and had no idea about his background was able to trace his ancestry to Turkey.

Digital advances are moving us in an entirely uncharted territory. I just rekindled old connections today on Facebook using Friend Finder and I joined an Indian youth social network on ning to connect with other young Indians — is the next evolution finding people with the exact same DNA as me who could be my long-lost, distant cousins ? It is a real possibility.