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1296How DNA Can Help with Your Adoption Reunion Search
There have been many technological advancements in the past 40 years that have helped those who are searching for their birth family members. The internet is a prime example: it was created in the late 1980s and is responsible for such indispensable tools as social media and global registries. Around the same time, DNA testing and profiling became more commonplace.
In this article, we talk about the science of DNA, how to integrate your data with a registry, and the statistical impact DNA has on adoption reunion success rates.
What is DNA?
Let’s begin by describing deoxyribonucleic acid using the easiest possible terms: DNA is a large number of atoms stuck together that form a molecule shaped like a long, spiraling ladder. Inside that molecule is our genetic "code," found in every living organism. In fact, 99% of the DNA sequences in the human genome are identical; it’s the remaining 1% that offers distinct information related to a person’s heritage. Because DNA traits are passed down from generation to generation, it acts as a biological "GPS" for finding family.
Deoxyribonucleic acid was discovered in 1869 by Swiss-born biochemist Fredrich Miescher but it took about 80-years for its importance in genetic inheritance to be fully realized, and another 40-years before DNA testing became an important tool in such things as paternity tests.
How DNA and Adoption Are Linked
Everyone inherits DNA from their parents and sequences of DNA can be shared between relatives. The more DNA you share (measured in centimorgans, or cMs), the closer the relative.
Consider a scenario where a woman who was adopted as a child is looking for birth relatives and gets a DNA test done. She uploads the data that results from that test to the global adoption reunion registry and it is discovered that her results are a very close possible match to a set of data uploaded by a man. The two reach out and learn they are birth siblings by verifying other details related to the adoption.
Even if their birth records were sealed or destroyed, the DNA creates an undeniable biological bridge. While a DNA test isn't a guarantee, it is one of the most powerful tools in your arsenal. When combined with traditional genealogy research and a registry database, your chance of success greatly improves.
For more specific information about how to use an adoption reunion registry, read our article “What is an Adoption Reunion Registry?”
What is DNA Testing?
It is very easy to have a DNA test done because deoxyribonucleic acid is found in every one of our cells. Typically, though, DNA is collected using a sample of hair, skin, saliva, or a pinprick drop of blood. The next steps can be simplified down to the following: enzymes are added to the sample and they act as scissors, cutting the DNA into the smaller segments that are different between individuals. Those are then sorted, a stain is applied to allow for visualization, and then all of this is exposed to x-ray film. The resulting pattern of DNA looks like a supermarket bar code and each individual has a signature code.
Using DNA in your adoption search can bring you closer to the answers—and to reuniting with your birth family. Register with Adopted.com to enhance your search with DNA comparison.
How to Do a DNA Test
There are now multiple companies that offer affordable, at-home DNA testing kits including:
- MyHeritageDNA
- 23andMe
- FamilyTreeDNA
- AncestryDNA
You simply need to register, order a kit, follow the instructions, return a sample to the company, and in less than a month you should receive your results.
How to Integrate Your DNA Results with Adopted.com
Receiving your DNA data from a lab is just the beginning. To truly leverage the power of the global registry, you must integrate that data. Here are the specific steps:
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Download Your Raw Data: Log into your testing provider (AncestryDNA, 23andMe, etc.). Look for "Settings" or "Download Raw DNA Data." This will be a .zip or .txt file containing your genetic markers.
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Upload to Adopted.com: Navigate to your profile on the registry and select the "DNA" tab. Upload the raw data file directly.
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The Matching Algorithm: Once uploaded, our system doesn't just look for other DNA files; it cross-references your biological markers with the biographical profiles of other members.
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Review Matches: You will receive a list of possible leads.
Should You Have Multiple DNA Tests Done?
There are those who choose to have tests done by multiple companies, but results are generally consistent. Our suggestion: Choose one major company (like MyHeritage, AncestryDNA or 23andMe) and download your raw data. You can then upload this single file to Adopted.com, which compares to data from multiple sources so you don't have to pay for multiple kits.
What Role Does the Adoption Reunion Registry Have in This Process?
While DNA testing companies provide a list of matches, they don't always provide the "adoption context." Adopted.com offers:
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Mutual Consent: You know that the people you match with here are actively looking for a reunion.
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Combined Data: We link your DNA markers to specific adoption entered during registration, making it easier to confirm that a genetic match is indeed the relative you seek.
As the adage goes, there is strength in numbers. Adopted.com has over a million registrants around the world—people who are looking to connect with their birth families. There are also supportive elements like community forums, testimonials, success stories, and multiple search options including searching by name. While most DNA testing companies simply provide the service of DNA comparison, Adopted.com offers the ability to upload DNA data and cross-reference the growing database of profiles.
What Are Some Other Benefits of DNA Testing?
The results from a DNA test are not only valuable for adoption reunion searchers, they can also provide valuable information related to your health. For example, DNA results can let you know if you are predisposed to certain genetic conditions, illnesses, and diseases such as cancer. Beyond that, it can be interesting to learn what your ancestry is and to trace its timeline back multiple generations.
How To Incorporate DNA Testing Into Your Adoption Reunion Search
- Order a DNA test kit from one of the companies found on your Adopted.com DNA page, or any other company you prefer.
- When your package arrives, follow the instructions for taking a DNA sample, and then mail it back to the company.
- While you’re waiting for your results, sign up to the global reunion registry (Adopted.com) and create a free profile (if you haven’t already done so).
- Once you receive your DNA data, upload it to Adopted.com to see if there are any leads for your search.
- Remember that a DNA test isn’t a guarantee for success. It’s simply a tool that, when combined with traditional genealogy research and a registry, helps improve your chances of connecting with your birth family.
Remember, DNA is the "silent witness" to your history. Even when records are closed, your DNA remains an open book, ready to help you reunite with your birth family instantly.
For More Information
To learn more about DNA testing, visit our info page at adopted.com/dna-matching.
