Study Notes on Genetic Ancestry Testing and Identity

Authors: Wendy D. Roth and Biorn Ivemark
Institution: University of British Columbia
Context: The rise in genetic ancestry testing has raised concerns about how it impacts consumers' racial and ethnic identities, potentially creating "geneticized" identities.
Methodology: Base of 100 qualitative interviews from various racial and ethnic groups, including white, black, Hispanic/Latino, Asian, and Native Americans.
Genetic Options Theory: Proposed to explain how genetic ancestry tests affect ethnic and racial identities by analyzing two main mechanisms: identity aspirations and social appraisals.
Findings indicate that genetic testing often reinforces race privilege among those already experiencing it.

Media Examples:
- Oprah Winfrey on the show African American Lives discovered roots in Liberia, Cameroon, and Zambia.
- Jessica Alba on Finding Your Roots found genetic ancestries including European, Native American, African, and Jewish.
Industry Growth:
- Post-human genome decoding, 74 companies emerged specializing in genetic ancestry tests, engaging over 4 million people. Revenues now exceed billions.
Public Influence: Media coverage and sharing results among users greatly affects public perceptions regarding ancestry testing.

Identity Formation Hypothesis:
- Some scholars argue tests will transform identities as genetic data holds scientific authority.
- Others, referencing social identity theory, suggest individuals may selectively incorporate or reject data based on how they wish to be perceived.
Key Terms:
- Geneticized Identity: New identities formed primarily through genetic knowledge.
- Selective Geneticization: The process by which consumers choose from genetic options based on desires for identity versus acceptability by social peers.

Data Collection: Interviews conducted across the country focusing on identity development pre- and post-testing.
Follow-Up Strategy:
- Researched identity stability through follow-ups 18 months later.
Interview Process: In-depth explorations of identity changes resulting from genetic tests.

Race: A cognitive structure sorting individuals into categories based on perceived inherent characteristics, especially biological or physical traits.
Ethnicity: Constructs groups by shared ancestry, history, and cultural symbols.
Overlap: Scholars note that the definitions often blur, but distinctions remain relevant, particularly in American society.

Genetic Determinism Theory: Argues tests directly and strongly determine identities for test-takers.
- Critics assert this neglects individual interpretation of genetic information.
Social Identity Theory: Suggests that people's identities are influenced by social appraisals and aspirations to attain positively valued identities.

Identity Aspirations: Reflects the identities consumers desire or wish to claim. Influences include:
- Private regard towards an identity versus public perceptions of identity.
- Social mobility among groups, where individuals may seek a different identity based on their social context.
Social Appraisals: The assessments individuals make regarding how likely their new identity will be accepted by others based on outward appearance, personality, and group stereotypes.

Emphasis on Selectivity: Consumers may incorporate new identities selectively based on aspirations and appraisals of social acceptance.
Stability of New Identities: In follow-ups, 91% of interviewees reported unchanged identities from prior testing.

White Respondents: Most likely to incorporate new identities. Their motivations include a desire for excitement or exoticism to counter feelings of blandness in their identity.
Black and Latino Respondents: Less likely to change as identities are often already diverse (multiraciality incorporated); new ancestries rarely challenge established identities.

Misinterpretation of Results: Genetic ancestry tests often misrepresent ancestry, with significant limits and assumptions that may not be fully communicated to consumers.
Testing Procedures:
- Y-DNA and mtDNA assess paternal and maternal lines respectively, offering ancestral migration pathways based on genetic variation.
- Admixture tests calculate percentage contributions from different ancestral backgrounds across the genome.

Genetic options theory nuances the understanding of genetic ancestry testing impact, suggesting it is not a straightforward determinant of identity, but a mechanism filtered through sociocultural contexts.
The broader implications highlight how testing influences demographic trends and potential shifts in racial identification, particularly among white respondents who may adopt symbolic racial identities without facing structural implications.