Your Scientific Collaboration: National Geographic Genographic Project

  1. How do I upload my Family Tree DNA results to the National Geographic Genographic project? faq id: 297
  2. Who is in charge of the National Genographic project? faq id: 310
  3. How will they protect my privacy? faq id: 311
  4. Will health aspects be part of the project? Will health or insurance companies have access to my information? faq id: 312
  5. What will I gain by participating in the National Geographic Genographic project? faq id: 319
  6. What tests does the Genographic Project offer? Will they help my genealogical study? faq id: 321
  7. I have already tested with the Genographic Project. How can I join Family Tree DNA? faq id: 326
  8. Where do I go to order the kit? faq id: 370
  9. Is the Geno 2.0 test a replacement for testing at Family Tree DNA? faq id: 465

Questions and Answers

  1. How do I upload my Family Tree DNA results to the National Geographic Genographic project? faq id: 297

    Once you have mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) or Y-chromosome DNA (Y-DNA) results, you may donate them to the Genographic Project. The cost is $15 US. Online payment is by credit card. To donate:

    1. Login to your myFTDNA account. (https://www.familytreedna.com/login.aspx)
    2. On the top menu bar, look for the Resources menu.
    3. On the Resources menu, click on the Genographic Project.
    4. On the Genographic Project page, carefully read the scientific consent.
    5. Check the I agree box to consent.
    6. Enter payment information.
    7. Click to complete the transfer.

    You may also pay by check. Mail to our office your check and request to donate. Once we transfer your results, we will send you an e-mail with your GPID (Genographic ID).

    Note: If you have results for both Y-DNA and mtDNA tests, only one charge will apply. Donate one test to the Genographic Project. Then, please use our feedback form to contact customer service. Include your kit number. We will submit the second test for FREE.

  2. Who is in charge of the National Genographic project? faq id: 310

    Spencer Wells, PhD leads The Genographic Project. He is a geneticist and an anthropologist. He is also a National Geographic explorer-in-residence. Dr. Wells works with other scientists to carry out global field research.

    In addition, the project has an advisory board. The Advisory Board includes leaders from many disciplines. They provide advice and oversight on funding priorities, ethical issues, and legal compliance. The board chair is Dr. Luca Cavalli-Sforza, a world-renowned geneticist.

    The board members are:

    • Dr. Luca Cavalli-Sforza (Chair)
    • Terry Garcia (EVP, Mission Programs, National Geographic Society)
    • Nick Donofrio (SVP, Technology and Manufacturing, IBM)
    • John Heubusch (President, Waitt Family Foundation)
    • Lord Colin Renfrew (Archaeologist)
    • Dr. Merrit Ruhlen (Linguist)
    • Dr. Meave Leakey (Paleoanthropologist)
    • Wade Davis (Cultural Anthropologist)
    • Tammy Williams (Indigenous Peoples' Advocate)
    • Scott Edwards (Evolutionary Geneticist)
    • Simon Longstaff (Ethicist)

    About: You may reach customer service for the National Geographic Genographic project at Genographic@ngs.org.

  3. How will they protect my privacy? faq id: 311

    For privacy, each person is given a Genographic Project ID (GPID). The GPID is random and non-sequential. The project does not store any personal information with the GPID. The project uses this number to track your lab test and results. You will also use it to access your account. Once you receive your results, you will have the option of remaining anonymous or joining the Genographic community. The choice is yours.

    Note: You should keep your GPID in a safe location.

    TermsOfService

    About: You may reach customer service for the National Geographic Genographic project at Genographic@ngs.org.

  4. Will health aspects be part of the project? Will health or insurance companies have access to my information? faq id: 312

    No, the Geno 2.0 test is for personal ancestry. Their tests are not medical. They do not share results with third parties. This includes insurance firms.

    TermsOfService

    About: You may reach customer service for the National Geographic Genographic project at Genographic@ngs.org.

  5. What will I gain by participating in the National Geographic Genographic project? faq id: 319

    Testing helps you learn about your personal ancestry. Test results tell about your ancestors' migrations and your ethnic origins. This includes:

    • Matching to ancient populations (Neanderthal and Denisovan)
    • Matching to global populations
    • Maternal lineage origins
    • Paternal lineage origins (men only)

    About: You may reach customer service for the National Geographic Genographic project at Genographic@ngs.org.

  6. What tests does the Genographic Project offer? Will they help my genealogical study? faq id: 321

    The Geno 2.0 test offers insights into your personal ancestry. It also provides new opportunities to connect with those with whom you share ancestry. The new Geno 2.0 test includes:

    • Y-Chromosome SNPs (men only) for paternal ancestry
    • X-Chromosome SNPs (Two X-Chromosomes for women and one for men) for ethnic ancestry
    • Autosomal SNPs for ethnic ancestry
    • mtDNA Mutations for maternal ancestry

    About: You may reach customer service for the National Geographic Genographic project at Genographic@ngs.org.

  7. I have already tested with the Genographic Project. How can I join Family Tree DNA? faq id: 326

    You may transfer your results to Family Tree DNA through the Genographic website. To do so:

    1. Go to the Genographic Results Transfer page. (https://www.familytreedna.com/landing/nat-geo-transfer.aspx)
    2. On the Family Tree DNA transfer pages, fill out the form to indicate if you are an current (You have tested your DNA with us.) or new customer. This includes agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
    Finding Your Roots Henry Louis Gates, TermsOfService

    About: You may reach customer service for the National Geographic Genographic project at Genographic@ngs.org.

  8. Where do I go to order the kit? faq id: 370

    You may order a kit from the Genographic Project on their website (https://genographic.nationalgeographic.com).

    About: You may reach customer service for the National Geographic Genographic project at Genographic@ngs.org.

  9. Is the Geno 2.0 test a replacement for testing at Family Tree DNA? faq id: 465

    No, in almost all regards, the Geno 2.0 test is complementary to Family Tree DNA’s tests. The exception is that positive Y-Chromosome results from the Geno 2.0 test when transferred to a Family Tree DNA account can be used as a replacement for the extensive Y-DNA SNP testing from our old Deep Clade test.

    About: You may reach customer service for the National Geographic Genographic project at Genographic@ngs.org.