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Danica Jones
Professor Melissa Schaeffer
ANTH 1020
October 7, 2014
The Ethics of DNA Testing Ancestors
1.

Introduction
DNA testing is still relatively new and despite our advances it can still be considered to

be in its early years. Scientific advancement in our research with the help of faster computers is
making DNA testing more accessible and affordable all the time. The ethical issue which arises
from easier access to genetic testing is should we be allowed and is it beneficial to test the
genetic material left behind by our ancestors? If we do proceed with ancestral DNA testing what
are some of the larger societal implications? In the brief time, that ancestral DNA testing has
been possible there is already much to be considered. The most prominent case so far has been
that of the founding father Thomas Jefferson and the controversy surrounding his alleged
relationship with his mixed-race slave Sally Hemings. According to Monticello.org, a foundation
established to maintain, preserve and educate people about Thomas Jefferson, rumors of an affair
between him and Sally began as early as 1802. Jefferson refused to confirm or deny accusations
and so the mystery and conjecture continued long after Jeffersons death.
In 1997, Dr. Eugene Foster of Tufts University decided that there may be a way to prove
finally whether or not Thomas Jefferson did indeed father any of Sally Hemings six children.
(Foster 27) How he set out to do, this was by testing Y-chromosomal DNA samples from male
descendants. He tested Thomas Jeffersons uncle, the grandfather of Jeffersons nephews, Eston
Hemings (one of Sallys children) and Thomas Woodson, who was purportedly Thomas
Jeffersons biological son through Sally. What Foster discovered was that by comparing 19

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different genetic markers on the Y-chromosome to those of known Jefferson descendants, that
there was a possibility that a male Jefferson was the father of at least some of Sally Hemings
children.
The controversy that arose from Dr. Fosters findings came from both the scientific
community and the legitimate descendants of Jefferson. As far as actual records, there are none
that indicate Thomas Jefferson had any male descendants. In addition, because the DNA of
Jefferson himself was not tested, all that Dr. Foster proved as that Jefferson, or someone male
directly related to him fathered Sally Hemings children. Once Foster published his findings the
immediate assumption by the media was that the evidence was sufficient enough to indicate that
Jefferson himself was the father.
Ancestral DNA testing and the Jefferson-Hemings incident have, therefore, raised some
ethical issues for the public and for biological anthropologists. First, what role does commonly
perceived or known history have in the results of ancestral DNA testing? Secondly, what rights
do descendants have to approve or discourage testing by anthropologists and do anthropologists
have a responsibility to inform or take the wishes of the descendants into consideration? Third,
do the scientific benefits outweigh what may be shocking or life-changing results from ancestral
DNA testing? My opinion prior to my research is that the advancement of science is worth any
uncomfortable or possibly embarrassing discovers that could arise from ancestral DNA testing.
2.

Viewpoint 1: Ancestral DNA testing should not be allowed because of its possible

invasiveness to descendants both emotionally, societally and legally. There can often be a
question of the validity of ancestral DNA testing based on several factors.

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The stakeholders of this viewpoint may include the descendants of any person who could
be subjected to ancestral DNA testing and anyone who may be in possession of documents or
property belonging to that ancestor. Most of the people with this viewpoint focus on the
emotional and legal toll that ancestral DNA testing can take on descendants. Science magazine
notes in one article, Family members may face risks from bio analysis. If unexpected lineage is
shown (or disproved), a living individual may gain (or lose) land rights or burial rights.
(Constructing Ethical Guidelines for Biohistory p.215) Another point that these stakeholders
make is that ancestral DNA testing is limited in its scope and can be taken out of context. In the
case of Jefferson and Hemings, Dr. Fosters findings were published under the title "Jefferson
fathered slave's last child." Most people saw the title and without investigating further into the
actual results, assumed that Thomas Jefferson was the definitive father of at least one of Sally
Hemings children. In a rebuttal written by Jefferson ancestor John H. Works, Jr. he brought up
the inconsistencies in the oral histories of Sally Hemings descendants that prevented a male
descendant from being tested. Works also addresses the very real possibility that the Jefferson
DNA present in the Heming line could very well have come from at least eight other Jefferson
men who were around Sally Hemings during the times that she conceived.
The fault I find in this viewpoint is that people consider discovering our ancestral roots to
be damaging. Yes, there are still uncertainties in taking a small section of DNA and stating that
something can be proven definitively one way or the other. But is the saying ignorance is bliss
really a valid argument when it comes to discovering our heritage?
3.

Viewpoint 2: Ancestral DNA testing can be a valuable tool as a way to track world

migration, disease evolution, and give context to historical events and figures that may not
otherwise be possible.

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The stakeholders for this viewpoint include historians, anthropologists and descendants.
One argument for ancestral DNA testing is the valuable information that it can give us to fill in
the gaps left behind in family histories. As Science magazine notes, The search for a
homeland is particularly poignant for many African-Americans, who hope to recapture a
history stolen by slavery. (The Science and Business of Genetic Ancestry Testing p399)
Another consideration is in authenticating museum artifacts. Depending on the age of an artifact,
its provenance may be suspected and through DNA testing can be confirmed or disproved.
One of the other significant examples of ancestral DNA testing comes from the example
of Abraham Lincoln. It has often been suspected that Abraham Lincoln suffered from Marfan
syndrome which can manifest itself in some life-threatening health issues and can often lead to
early death. When the possibility of testing Lincolns DNA was first proposed by Darwin J.
Prockop of Thomas Jefferson University Medical College, a panel was convened to discuss the
merits of the testing. (Abraham Lincoln and the DNA Controversy p. 2) Two different panels
were convened to discuss the merits of the testing and whether it was a legitimate reason to
invade the privacy of Lincolns remains and the possible effects it could have on his descendants.
Both panels consisted of experts in genetics and anthropology who examined the possible legal
and societal ramifications if DNA testing were to occur.
One argument by this viewpoint is that ancestral DNA testing can lead to a better
understanding of genetically inherited diseases. There is still much to learn from DNA and
perhaps an examination of ancestral DNA can give us a better understanding of how carrier
genes work or what affect, if any, haplogroups have on the frequency of expressed traits.
3. Conclusion

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I think that both viewpoints have valid points that are worth examining when considering
ancestral DNA. Much of our identity is formed by our perception of who we are and anything
that threatens to upset our status quo could have a negative effect on personal identity. It is also
possible that knowledge of ancestral DNA can be a beneficial key to understanding and
preventing the spread of disease. As DNA testing becomes more accessible and affordable, it
will be important to examine the ethical issues which can arise from ancestral DNA. What
responsibilities do anthropologists have to respect the privacy of descendants and does the
possible benefits outweigh the risks? I started out firmly on the side of testing ancestral DNA,
but that was before I fully understood some of the further reaching implications. I still think that
are valuable things we can learn from ancestral DNA. I understand that some descendants may
not want to face genetic realities that may cause a paradigm shift, but I dont think a desire to
deny genetic truths is a good enough excuse to avoid testing.

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Works Cited
1. Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings: A Brief Account. Monticello, Home of Thomas
Jefferson. Retrieved from: http://www.monticello.org/site/plantation-and-slavery/thomasjefferson-and-sally-hemings-brief-account
2. Constructing Ethical Guidelines for Biohistory. Science. 9 April 2004: Vol. 304 pp. 215216 DOI:10.1126/science.1094372
3. Foster, Eugene A., et al. "Jefferson fathered slave's last child." Nature 396.6706 (1998):
27-28.
4. A Primer on Jefferson DNA. Frontline. WGBH Educational Foundation. Retrieved from
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/jefferson/true/primer.html
5. The Science and Business of Genetic Ancestry Testing. Science. 19 October 2007: Vol.
318. pp. 399-400. DOI:10.1126/science.1150098
6. Davidson, Glen W. "Abraham Lincoln and the DNA controversy." Journal of the
Abraham Lincoln Association (1996): 1-26