Click HERE and HERE to read previous postings in Jaarringe dealing with the use of DNA to trace ancestry - Ed.]
I've been thinking about whether or not I should publish this posting. As I write and rewrite it, I still haven't made up my mind. It's one of those sticky wickets, as they are called.
One of the reasons I hesitate is that I have far more questions than answers. One of the reasons I feel like I should publish it is because we, as a community, have far more questions than answers. I'm concerned that we're being exploited, manipulated and deceived. I feel like we're already on the way down a slippery slope, and I fear a flush is at the bottom. If that is true, we're entirely powerless if we don't know about it.
Since you are reading this, I obviously decided to publish it, so I'll let you decide for yourself.
Over the past few weeks, I've been getting this sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach as Ancestry's most recent DNA testing mess has unfolded like the leaves on the beautifully deceptive skunk plant. Yes, the skunk plant is named that for the reason you think. Things just aren't what they seem at first glance, and they smell ... really smell. And by the time you figure out that you've made an error in judgment, you're in the middle of a smelly mess.
This isn't the first time that Ancestry has had some really significant problems with DNA testing and quality. However, this second time is more complex and includes ethics issues. I'm not sure where the problem lies, and maybe the answer isn't in just one place, but multiple problems in multiple places.
Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Let's take a look.
Click HERE to read more.