New genealogy centre to create DNA library GENETICS: FAMILY HISTORY

Judith Duffy Health Correspondent

ESTABLISHING whether that stranger on the doorstep really is a long-lost cousin has always been tricky - but that is now set to change, thanks to a new genealogy centre in Scotland which will offer DNA testing.

Experts at Glasgow Caledonian University are in the process of setting up a unique service which will team up traditional family search services with genetic profiling technology.

The centre, which will be launched next year, will help people from around the world trace their Scottish roots and then offer the option of verifying blood relatives through DNA testing. The team also aims to carry out research which will eventually build up a genetic map of the clans of Scotland, allowing people to look into their Celtic ancestry.

Dr John Gow, director for forensic investigation at Caledonian, said that it was hoped the service would boost Scottish tourism. "It means that people with Scottish ancestors from around the world will be able to come to Scotland and trace their records, and if they wish we can make up their DNA profile for them, " he said.

"We will be able to tell Mr Campbell from New York if he is related to Mr Campbell in Dunoon. We want to promote Glasgow Caledonian University as a centre for Scottish genealogy worldwide." Work is under way to build a new forensic suite at the university which will enable all types of DNA genealogy work to be undertaken. The Y-chromosome test is used to define male lineage, while mitochondrial DNA profiling can be used to help trace the maternal line.

The DNA is obtained using a mouth swab, and Gow said that it was likely to cost around GBP60 per person, depending on the test. In addition to the commercial side, academic research will also be undertaken to try to establish genetic profiles of the clans of Scotland.

Gow said several clan societies in America had already expressed interest in this work. "We are going to develop individual DNA databases for each clan, " he explained. "We are looking for markers that are peculiar to a particular clan." The venture will also involve ancestral research company Scottish Roots and the 1745 Trading Company, a sales and marketing firm.

Tony Reid, a partner in Scottish Roots, said DNA testing was being used increasingly in genealogy to overcome "brick walls", when people were unable to go further back than a particular point in their research. He explained that although Scottish genealogical resources were among the best in the world, before the introduction of statutory civil registration in 1855 many people did not go to the expense or trouble of registering marriages or baptisms.

"I believe DNA testing will be an increasingly important tool for linking family trees prior to about the turn of the 18th/19th century, " he said.

According to VisitScotland, more than 50 million people around the world can claim Scottish roots, and ancestral tourism is a growing trend, with Americans, Canadians and Australians most likely to visit Scotland in search of their family history.

Fiona Stewart, VisitScotland's PR manager for North America and Asia Pacific, said there was huge potential in this area. "Developments like Glasgow Caledonian University's new centre are great news and will help attract even more visitors, " she said.

Alan L Bain, president of the American Scottish Foundation, agreed there was a great deal of interest in ancestral tourism, but added that he hoped groups in Scotland would work together to provide the best possible service for visitors.

But others warned that using DNA testing to establish family relationships should be approached cautiously. Dr David King, director of the watchdog group Human Genetics Alert, said it could bring about "explosive" situations if, for example, someone had been adopted without knowing it.

"People need to be informed properly about the risks of something like that, otherwise people can end up with some very nasty shocks, " he added.

NEED TO KNOW

THE FACTS A new genealogy centre is to be launched at Glasgow Caledonian University which will offer DNA testing to help establish family connections.

BACKGROUND Genetic profiling is being increasingly used in a number of areas, including forensic police work, medical research, paternity testing and even verifying the pedigrees of animals.

NEED TO KNOW MORE?www. gcal. ac. uk University's website.www. scottishroots. com Ancestral research company Scottish Roots.

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