You may have your mother's smile. Or your father's hair. But why do you look the way you do? How do we explain the incredible diversity of people from around the globe? How did your ancestors find their way to the place where you live today?
Questions like these are the focus of a landmark study that will change the way we think about human history: The
Genographic Project.
The project is a five-year, global DNA-sampling research partnership of National Geographic and
IBM, led by distinguished population geneticist Spencer Wells, the Society's newest explorer-in-residence. With lead support for field research from the
Waitt Family Foundation, Wells and a group of the world's leading scientists will attempt to collect and analyze more than 100,000 DNA samples from people all over the world. The project will shed new light on our genetic and migratory history, helping us to better understand the connections and differences that make up the human species.
The Genographic Project has three major components:
Field Research - With lead funding from the Waitt Family Foundation, a consortium of ten distinguished researchers from scientific institutions around the world will conduct voluntary DNA sampling of hundreds of indigenous populations. An additional researcher will focus on ancient DNA.
Public Participation and Awareness Campaign - You can take part in the project by purchasing a kit and submitting your own cheek-swab samples. Online, participants will be able to track the overall progress of the project and learn about their distinct ancestors' migratory history.
Legacy Project - Proceeds from the sale of
Genographic Participation Kits will help fund future field research and a legacy project, which will build on National Geographic's century-long focus on world cultures. The legacy project will support educational and cultural preservation projects among participating indigenous groups.
HELP SUPPORT GENOGRAPHIC FIELD RESEARCH
While lead funding has been secured to begin decentralized global research in the field, National Geographic must raise additional funds to keep the project going during its five-year period. Your tax-deductible gift can help us answer key questions about our shared deep ancestry and humanity's 60,000-year odyssey around the globe.
(Individuals or organizations interested in making major contributions to the project should contact the Society's Development Office at +1 202 862 8653.)
Donate to Support Genographic Field Research Today!
"We see this as the 'moon shot' of anthropology, using genetics to fill in the gaps in our knowledge of human history. Our DNA carries a story that is shared by everyone. Over the next five years we'll be deciphering that story, which is now in danger of being lost as people migrate and mix to a much greater extent than they have in the past."
—
Spencer Wells, National Geographic explorer-in-residence and project director for the Genographic Project
"Maybe by improving the world's collective understanding of humanity's shared beginnings and similarities, we can reduce the level of discrimination, violence, and war that often stems from the tendency to emphasize our differences. That is an extremely powerful and positive message, especially given the state of the world today."
—
Ted Waitt, Founder, The Waitt Family Foundation
