Great-great grandson of Darwin does Y-chromosome test

07 Jul 2017

Charles Darwin, the naturalist, whose most well-know work is ‘On the Origin of Species’, has been at the centre of ancestry DNA testing as a group of experts wish to establish the naturalist’s ancestral origins by means of a Y-chromosome test. The initiative was taken jointly by National Geographic, the non-profit scientific institution and the computer and IT consulting company IBM.

Darwin’s great-great grandson, Chris Darwin, 48, was at the centre of the study along with another 350,000 males. The test revealed that Charles Darwin belonged to one of the first groups to leave the African continent and move to eventually to Europe after settling in Asia and the Middle East. This group is referred to by anthropologists as the Cro-Magnon group and it is estimated the they left Africa around 45,000 years ago.  The last ice age forced this group to migrate to warmer climates and they thus, moved to Spain. This group of people is considered to be the first and oldest modern people in Europe.

Chris Darwin was the genetic key needed to have conclusive DNA test results about Charles Darwin’s ancestry. The testing specifically involved the Y-chromosome test which would help locate the ancestors’ migratory patterns and the group they belonged to.

The Y-chromosome is exclusively found in males who possess an XY chromosome pair. From a genetic testing perspective it can tell us whether two males share the same paternal lineage. The test is typically a Y-STR test (short tandem repeat test) and analyses specific sequences of DNA on the Y-chromosome which are compared with other individuals to see if they share the same common paternal ancestor.

The Y-chromosome test done by Chris Darwin showed that he shared the same haplotype as his great great grandfather. A haplotype is similar for all males that descent from the same paternal line and if they share it they are placed in a haplogroup. The haplogroup shared in this case between Chris Darwin and the other participants in the test is the haplotype R1b, the most widespread male European lineage.

Finding our geogenetic origins can be done through ancestry DNA testing. Chris Darwin and the other 350,000 participants simply gave an oral mouth swab in order for their DNA to be tested and their ancestral origins found. Today many DNA testing companies offer DNA testing that will tell you about your geogenetic heritage by comparing your DNA to a database and providing a special geogenetic map showing your native and population matches amongst other things.

For many knowing their true roots and where they came from is important. You may think yourself African American but may in fact not have any African ancestors.

Y-chromosome testing is specifically used to determine male lineage. DNA ancestry testing has a wider scope and works in terms of ethnic/ population matches and native regions. You can now find out about your family history that goes way beyond the standard 5 or 6 generations, as far beyond as perhaps 50,000 or 60,000 years.