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Chapter 14 - Genetics

Discovering Human Origins through DNA

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 May 2025

By
Himla Soodyall
Edited by
Jonathan Jansen
Jonathan Jansen
Affiliation:
Stellenbosch University
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Summary

Advances in molecular biology led to the use of molecular methods to identify patterns of genetic variation at the DNA level. This enabled a more robust assessment of the patterns of genetic variation at the individual level that contribute to the study of the genetic affinities of human populations around the world. This paper focuses on how genetic variation among sub-Saharan African populations has contributed to advancing our understanding of population history in Africa and human evolution and discusses ethical issues related to conducting research on human subjects. Using mitochondrial DNA (in both women and men) and Y-chromosome DNA (men only), it is possible to trace an individual’s maternal and paternal lineage ancestry, respectively. Public curiosity about its ancestry sparked interest in genetic ancestry testing services and population genetic research, thus contributing to public participation in science.

Keywords

molecular biologymolecular methodsgenetic variationgenetic affinitieshuman populationssub-Saharan Africahuman evolutionethical issuesmitochondrial DNAancestry lineagegenetic ancestry
Type
Chapter
Information
On Discovery
How Knowledge is Produced across the Disciplines
 , pp. 169 - 184
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2025

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References

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