Ethnic Tests- Autosomal tests that test the recombining chromosomes are available. These attempt to measure an individual's mixed ethnic heritage. The tests' validity and reliability have been called into question but they continue to be popular.Biogeographical Ancestry- Autosomal DNA testing purports to determine the "genetic percentage" of certain ethnicities in a person. These tests examine SNPs, which are locations on the DNA where one nucleotide has "mutated" or "switched" to a different nucleotide. These tests are designed to tell what percentage Native American, European, East Asian, and African a person is. These tests are controversial—their validity has not been independently confirmed — and the results are often disputed.
I only used wikipedia as a layman reference. The eBook gets into great detail. This is very serious, so it needs attention. At least take a look at my findings about this issue. I am sure you will understand that I seek not to hate, but rather to educate... Love!60 Minutes did a segment about this testing and basically exposed this testing and interviewed Dr. Kittles the founder of African Ancestry the main company conducting these tests here is the link and an excerpt from the interview when Kittles admitts to the weakness and inaccuracy of the test:
http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/i_video/main500251.shtml?id= 334037
Here is an excerpt from the story:
Hank Greely, a law professor at Stanford University, has studied this new field. He worries that people don't realize just how many ancestors they actually have.
"Eight generations ago both you and I had 256 great-great-great-great-great-great grandparents," Greely points out. "It doubles every generation. So you've got two parents. You have four grandparents. You have eight great grandparents. Sixteen great-great grandparents. And it adds up fast. It adds up so fast in fact that if you go back 20 generations you've got over a million grandparents."
1,048,576 to be exact. And in each generation, DNA testing can provide information about only two of them.
Greely says he has looked at several companies that are doing these tests. Asked if he thinks that they adequately explain the limitations, Greely says, "No. I don't think any of them does as good a job of pointing out the limitations. But, you know, businesses often don't go around telling you how weak their product is."
"We don't oversell. I mean, we just say, 'Look, we provide a service.' If you're interested in exploring a TINY bit of your DNA and trace it's ancestry we can do that," Kittles says.
"When you say it's a tiny little amount…," Stahl says.
"It's LESS than POINT ONE PERCENT," Kittles explains.
"That's pretty teeny," Stahl remarks.
Now If you can hear it out of the horses mouth and still send your money, then I say you deserve to get stiffed... WAKE UP!!!