Genetic lineage testing is possible due to the fact that certain areas of our DNA are transmitted from one generation to the next in a relatively unchanged manner for many generations. To obtain the paternal lineage DNA test the genetic material in the Y chromosome is analysed as this is inherited directly from father to son, whereas the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is examined in the maternal lineage test as this is passed on directly from the mother to all her children.

Scientific research has dated the history of human evolution as starting in Africa around 400,000 to 130,000 years ago, from there on human beings started evolving and migrating outwards to different countries. During this migration process, slight differences in the genetic material contained in the Y chromosome and the mitochondrial DNA evolved as different groups of people settled in different parts of the world. These have been transmitted to present generations, enabling each and every one of us to trace the origins of our DNA through our genetic history.

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