Ancestral DNA analytics platforms such as Ancestry have given people information on their geographical history as well as rough percentages of racial association, however, this practice is inherently problematic both in its methodology and results. Sites such as Ancestry compare one’s genetic data multiple times across hundreds of regions to determine the strongest DNA markers which then constitute an ancestral DNA timeline. Unfortunately, individuals in power have used these results to demonstrate their association with peoples of indigenous regions when heritage is much more complicated than DNA. A prime example is senator Elizabeth Warren, who has used her DNA results to claim a status as a Native American on legal documents to fulfill diversity quotas for her law school, and to win a wager against Trump who denied and mocked her Native American heritage. Although Warren does have Native American ancestry (she is somewhere between 1/32nd and 1/1,024th Native American), it is her proclaimed association with the Native American culture that is problematic. To better understand the culture behind the DNA samples, we must recognize the consequences of this type of data.
“As Vox’s Dylan Matthews explained in February, Warren has consistently said that her mother is part Cherokee, even though Warren herself isn’t an enrolled member of the three federally registered Cherokee tribes. Her ancestors don’t appear on the Dawes Rolls, an official list of members of the Cherokee, Choctaw, Creek, Chickasaw, and Seminole tribes put together in the early 20th century.”
(Stewart, 2018)
Let’s begin with simple definitions of culture and DNA. DNA is merely a combination of nucleotides that make up a living organism, while culture is “the customs, arts, social institutions, and achievements of a particular nation, people, or other social group” (Google Dictionary). Ancestral DNA testing relays very little information besides a crude geographical estimate of where our ancestors stood for a period of time, and must not constitute as means of a connection or relationship with the cultures displayed in the analysis. As the quote relays above, Warren has no substantial relationship with the Cherokee tribes, and should not be using her smidgen of ancestral DNA to establish her political platform. Once those individuals in positions of power begin to lay claim to ancestral and cultural ties that are not apparent, then other cultures begin to be appropriated.
It is imperative that ancestral DNA not be equated to culture for the sake of cultural sovereignty and differentiation. Simply because my nucleotides are similar to those of a different race and/or culture in history does not justify my place in that culture if I am not actively participating in that culture, or am merely using the status for a personal/political/social gain.
The reason this type of data is so tricky is because it has to do with personal identity. The title DNA analysis makes it seem as if this data will tell us who we are, when in reality it simply tells us where we have probably been. DNA is what we are made up of, while culture influences who we are. The intermingling of these two worlds has allowed for people like senator Warren to claim status as a woman who has Native American DNA, but nearly no cultural connection to said culture. The results of DNA testing being used as political rhetoric is absurd and inconsequential because minority cultures have no political power to speak out or influence the issues. For the sake of cultural and to save the sliver of respect other cultures/countries may have for the U.S. we need to draw the line between DNA and culture and see the differences between them as an opportunity to learn, and not as a method of establishing a connection to those who we may personally know little to nothing about.
Resources:
Stewart, Emily. “Elizabeth Warren Releases Her DNA Test Results and Dares Trump to Make Good on His $1 Million Bet.” Vox, Vox, 15 Oct. 2018, http://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2018/10/15/17978258/elizabeth-warren-native-american-claims-dna-test.
Data/Society/Decision-making Spring 2019 