Genetic Ancestry Testing: Uncovering the Black Experience

ByJohn O. Marshal, Department of SociologyVirginia Tech

The contemporary fascination with genetic ancestry testing (GAT) marks a second wave in the genealogy movement spurred by the 1970s TV mini-series Roots (Nelson, 2016). This dramatization of a novel of the same name traced the family origins of an enslaved African in America to the Mandinka peoples of Gambia in West Africa. By capturing the disruptive effects of North American slavery on Black families, Roots inspired a generation to mend familial links through genealogy research (Nelson, 2016).

As the 21st century unfolded, the breakthroughs of the Human Genome Project offered millions an additional tool for tracing their ancestry: personal DNA sequencing. Much like the empathy with the Black quest that Roots fostered among other Americans in the 1970s, the modern genealogy movement should celebrate the fact that more than 40 million American descendants of enslaved Africans can now experience their own “Roots” moment.

Underrepresentation of Black Experiences in Ancestry Testing Studies

Unfortunately, although genetic ancestry testing has been available for more than two decades and more than 26 million households have ordered DNA test kits (Regalado, 2019), fewer than ten empirical studies have been done on Black experiences with these tests. Most research into GAT users reports overall trends that not differentiated much by race or ethnicity. The problem with this approach is that it obscures the powerful stories of many Black users of ancestry tests.

I suggest two reasons for the weak representation of Black users in GAT studies. First, because the great majority of GAT users are white, recruitment efforts for research studies bring in more White than non-White participants. As a result, the trends reported in these studies skew toward the White experience. Second, there is a difference in the quality of reports for European versus African ancestry, with popular testing companies focused on European locations.

Quality Disparities in Ancestry Reports

One notable challenge in the landscape of genetic ancestry is the disparity in quality between reports on European and African ancestry. The top four genetic testing companies—AncestryDNA, 23andMe, MyHeritageDNA, and FamilyTreeDNA—allow for a significant bias by maintaining more expansive DNA reference databases for European locations than for other regions (Khan & Mittelman, 2018). This bias is glaring with AncestryDNA, recognizes genetic variation for Europe in terms of 1501 regions, while Africa is tracked in only 114 regionsi—yet Africa has more than six times the ethnic diversity of Europe.

Such discrepancies have big implications for the quality of ancestry reports received by Black users. For instance, customers of 23andMe with European heritage can expect matches to specific towns and counties and detailed narratives of their ancestry. By contrast, the same company matches only to the regional level (e.g., Central Africa) or a combination of countries (e.g., Ghana/Liberia/Sierra Leone) for customers with African ancestry. This stark contrast in the fine-grainedness of results may explain why Black individuals in most GAT studies do not react enthusiastically to their test results.

The crux of the matter is that the Eurocentric focus of major testing companies inadvertently diminishes the quality of results for non-European ancestry. Addressing these disparities is crucial for enabling non-White users to uncover their roots in the same depth and detail as their counterparts of European descent, which should foster genuine engagement and excitement among Black users.

African Ancestry Company: Unveiling the Rich Tapestry of Black Heritage

In the realm of genetic ancestry testing, one standout player, African Ancestry, has been a beacon for those seeking to unravel the intricacies of their African roots. Established in 2003 by geneticist Rick Kittles and entrepreneur Gina Paige, this Black-owned company offers a service that goes beyond the industry norm. The company claims superiority over its competitors, including industry giant 23andMe, for having the largest genetic database for African populations, which allows it to match customers to specific African ethnic or linguistic groups such as Yoruba, Fang, Bamileke, and Mandinka.ii This contrasts starkly with the broad regional categorizations provided by other testing companies for African heritage.

African Ancestry stands out for fostering clear enthusiasm among Black users of heritage testing services. In ancestry-reveal videos on social media, the most powerful reactions often come from Black customers of African Ancestry. Their testimonials echo excitement, pride, and a profound sense of coming home to a heritage that was once obscured.

I am so hyped right now; nothing can bring me down… This is an exciting time for us, especially African Americans. This is an exciting time for us to know our roots. (Anointed To Live n.d.)

This is amazing. . . .It’s almost like coming home, coming home to who you are. (Prophet Voyager, n.d.)

I feel like my ancestors are happy that now that I know. . . . I feel warm inside. (Jaleesa Peeples, n.d.)

I’m thankful that I know who I am—not saying I didn’t know who I was before, but I just have another piece of the puzzle . . . and, you know, this has truly helped me become even more fulfilled. (Dudley Edouard, n.d.)

These enthusiastic reactions underscore a pivotal narrative in the modern genealogy movement: the most profound impact of ancestry testing occurs in the Black community. Through the African Ancestry company, thousands of Black people have discovered previously unknowable aspects of their heritage, contributing to a more inclusive and authentic understanding of ancestry testing in the context of diverse cultural narratives.

Importance of Ancestry Testing to Black Studies

The modern phenomenon of ancestry testing has profound relevance for Black Studies, offering insights into the specific language and ethnic-group origins of Blacks in the diaspora. This aligns seamlessly with the original mandate of Black studies, to restore an accurate history of Black peoples. Advances in genetics research have extended the exploration of family histories beyond the Middle Passage, providing a vital link to pre-diasporic roots.

Moreover, the knowledge of specific ethnic heritage that is made possible by ancestry testing simplifies the embrace of Africanness—a call that resonated during the Black Power movement of the 1970s. This movement was instrumental in establishing Black studies within academia and encouraged love and celebration of African heritage. Thus ancestry testing has become a catalyst enabling Black individuals to affiliate themselves with more specific heritages on the mother continent. Ancestry reports also enhance the collaboration between the diaspora and the African continent, as more nations recognize ancestry reports and offer special status to members of their diasporas who wish to connect with their ancestral roots.

A Call to Action: Fostering Inclusivity in Genetic Ancestry Testing

The unique Black experience with genetic ancestry tests calls for a concerted effort toward equity and inclusivity in the evolving landscape of genetic testing. To ensure a comprehensive understanding of the impact of heritage tests on Black Americans, researchers must differentiate their findings by race and ethnicity. A critical step in this direction is increased reliance on data from African Ancestry users, to provide a more nuanced and accurate portrayal of the diverse experiences of the Black community.

African Ancestry, as a pioneering Black-owned company, deserves commendation for leading the way in genetic testing for African roots. Kittles and Paige exhibit a genuine commitment to supporting the restoration project for the Black diaspora. However, there remains a call for African Ancestry to address affordability concerns. At $299 for either the PatriClan or MatriClan test, their services are among the most expensive. While the company cites less funding than its larger competitors, there are creative strategies for generating capital. Given the potential societal impact of their mission to restore Black heritage, African Ancestry could attract funding from government sources, foundations, and the business world, akin to the support witnessed during the Black Lives Matter movement.

Looking beyond African Ancestry, a broader call is made to the larger genetic ancestry testing (GAT) industry. Greater investment in the genetic mapping of peoples outside Europe is imperative for addressing the current disparities. Until databases for non-European regions are equally robust, GAT companies might consider differential pricing for different ancestral regions. This approach would not only acknowledge the variation in data quality but foster fairer pricing for individuals seeking to uncover non-European roots.

Furthermore, given the profound impact of ancestry reports on many people in the Black community, it is imperative for the government to ensure the accuracy of claims made by GAT companies. Regulation and oversight are essential to maintaining the integrity of genetic testing results, instilling confidence in users and advancing the field ethically.

Conclusion

Genetic ancestry testing presents a unique opportunity for individuals, especially those of African descent, to connect with their heritage. By addressing disparities in data quality, supporting companies like African Ancestry, and advocating for responsible industry practices, we can better understand the promise of ancestry testing for Black Americans and indeed for all individuals, irrespective of cultural or ethnic background.

References

African Ancestry. (2021). Our story: 18 years and counting. https://africanancestry.com/pages/our-story

Anointed To Live. (n.d.) African AncestryDNA results are iiiinnn!!!! YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDZ823TinyE

Dudley Edouard. (n.d.). Haitian man takes African Ancestry test & get's unbelievable results! YouTube. https://youtu.be/fKIZm_X1UuI

Haley, A. (1976). Roots: The saga of an American family. Doubleday Books: New York.

Heyward, D. A. (2022). The wake at the root: Understanding racial identity refinement through genetic ancestry testing and theater performance. Societies, 12(3), 79. https://doi.org/10.3390/soc12030079

Jaleesa Peeples. (n.d.). Journey to discovery! African Ancestry results revealed. YouTube. https://www.youtu.be/fYspIBcQkIA

Khan, R., & Mittelman, D. (2018). Consumer genomics will change your life, whether you get tested or not. Genome Biology, 19, 120. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13059-018-1506-1

Kittles, R., & Maat, O. A. (2020). Dr. Rick Kittles of African Ancestry & Dr. Ma'at: How DNA can reconnect diasporan Africans to Africa. YouTube. https://youtu.be/eaOgb6eHBTo

Nelson, A. (2016). The social life of DNA: Race, reparations, and reconciliation after the genome. Boston: Beacon Press.

Paige, G. et al. (2019). African Ancestry founder reveals the unexpected non-African ancestry of one of the husbands! YouTube. https://youtu.be/kBgl-dD6pTY

Prophet Voyager Shamayim. (n.d.). My African Ancestry results are in!!! YouTube. https://youtu.be/S8rcnY90ejc

Regalado, A. (2019). More than 26 million people have taken an at-home ancestry test. MIT Technology Review.

i Statistics retrieved from company’s website in 2021ii See the reference list for both Kittles & Maat, 2020 and Paige et. al., 2019