GeneTree, a DNA-enabled family history-sharing Web site designed to help
people understand where their personal histories belong within the
greater human genetic story, and the Sorenson Molecular Genealogy
Foundation (SMGF), a non-profit scientific organization currently
expanding the world’s most diverse collection
of genetic genealogy information, today announced a special offer that
enables participants who have contributed DNA samples and genealogical
pedigree charts to the SMGF Database project to receive deeply
discounted DNA profiles in order to take advantage of the resources
available on the GeneTree family history social networking site.
“SMGF has not been able to provide individual
DNA results back to study participants,” said
Dr. Scott Woodward, executive director of SMGF. “The
collaboration with GeneTree allows us to return results in a compelling,
confidential way and we’re pleased to be able
to offer this exceptional opportunity to those individuals who have
participated in helping build the SMGF database. Many SMGF participants
have expressed the desire to make greater family connections and
collaborate on family history research using DNA tools; SMGF’s
arrangement with GeneTree enables this.”
In order to be eligible for this special GeneTree/SMGF offer,
participants must have ordered an SMGF participation kit prior to
October 23, 2007 and returned the properly completed DNA kit, postmarked
no later than December 31, 2007, to SMGF.
SMGF participants who meet these criteria will be able to access their
mitochondrial DNA profiles (genetic information passed from mothers to
all of their children) along with their SMGF-submitted pedigree
information through the GeneTree Web site, generally within two weeks of
their request. These profiles can be used to search for and connect with
potential genetic relatives on the GeneTree site.
In 2000, SMGF began collecting DNA samples to build the Sorenson
Database, the world's most comprehensive and diverse collection of
genetic information correlated with genealogical records. Currently, the
database contains nearly 100,000 DNA samples and over six million
corresponding genealogical records from participants in more than 170
nations throughout the world, and the Foundation continues to accelerate
the growth of the database.
The GeneTree site, launched October 23, 2007, has licensed the SMGF
database to further the family history research and social networking
purposes of its members. A basic GeneTree membership is free. In
addition, GeneTree offers cost-effective mitochondrial DNA tests. A $99
GeneTree test provides genetic sequence information collected from one
of three major mitochondrial regions; a $149 test provides information
from all three regions.
“GeneTree’s DNA
testing services are extremely cost-effective, but we wanted to reward
the people who chose to participate in the SMGF project before the
advent of GeneTree, to help them take advantage of all the opportunities
for social networking and collaborative family tree building available
on that site,” said Matt Cupal, president and
COO of GeneTree. “Providing participants with
their genetic profiles for only $19.50 is the best way we could think of
to say, ‘Thank you for participating in this
project to connect the world’s individuals
and families.’”
Additional information and instructions for obtaining SMGF DNA profiles
for participation in GeneTree is available at www.genetree.com/dna/unlock_smgf
or www.smgf.org.
About GeneTree
GeneTree (www.genetree.com) is a
DNA-enabled family history-sharing Web site designed to help people
understand where their personal histories belong within the greater
human genetic story. GeneTree creates opportunities for unlocking human
genetic heritage, discovering ancestors, connecting and collaborating
with living relatives, and sharing rich media to help discover, document
and preserve family histories. GeneTree was developed by the Sorenson
family of companies and through this arrangement will draw on the
expertise of the Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation, a nonprofit
organization that developed the world's foremost collection of
genetic-genealogy information; Sorenson Media, which created the world's
leading digital video compression software; and Sorenson Genomics, which
pioneered Internet-based consumer DNA testing.
About Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation
The Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation (SMGF; www.smgf.org)
is a non-profit research organization that has created the world’s
largest repository of correlated genetic and genealogical information.
The free, publicly available SMGF database currently contains
information about more than six million ancestors through linked DNA
samples and pedigree charts from more than 170 countries, or
approximately 90 percent of the nations of the world. The foundation’s
purpose is to foster a greater sense of identity, connection and
belonging among all people by showing how closely we are connected as
members of a single human family.
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