| The completion of the human genome sequencing | | | | in the nucleus of our cell, but in the mitochondria |
| project was the first step in allowing scientists to | | | | organelles of our cells. These scientists chose to |
| unravel the secrets contained in our DNA. Further | | | | study Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) because of its |
| over the past few years DNA testing has become | | | | three unique properties which they explain as:First, |
| affordable and easy to do. This has spawned the | | | | mtDNA gives a magnified view of the diversity |
| practice of performing DNA testing for Genealogical | | | | present in the human gene pool, because mutations |
| purposes which is called Genetic Genealogy.One of | | | | accumulate in this DNA several times faster than in |
| the first genetic genealogy studies was conducted in | | | | the nucleus. Second, because mtDNA is inherited |
| the late 1980s by scientists with the Department of | | | | maternally and does not recombine, it is a tool for |
| Biochemistry at the University of California, Berkeley. | | | | relating individuals to one another. Third, there are |
| These scientists Rebecca L. Cann, Mark Stoneking | | | | about 1016 mtDNA molecules within a typical human |
| and Allan C. Wilson studied a newly discovered kind | | | | and they are usually identical to one another (Cann |
| of DNA. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is contained not | | | | 31). |