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GeneTree Family History-Sharing Web Site and Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation Collaborate to Offer Sorenson Database Participants Deeply Discounted DNA Profiles for Use on GeneTree Site
Participants in the Foundation’s DNA Database, the World’s Most Diverse Collection of Correlated Genetic and Genealogical Information, Can Receive the Mitochondrial DNA Profiles from Their Submitted DNA Samples for an Introductory Price of $19.50 Through GeneTree
SALT LAKE CITY–(BUSINESS WIRE)–GeneTree, a DNA-enabled family history-sharing Web site designed to help people understand where their personal histories belong within the greater human genetic story, and the Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation (SMGF), a non-profit scientific organization currently expanding the world’s most diverse collection of genetic genealogy information, today announced a special offer that enables participants who have contributed DNA samples and genealogical pedigree charts to the SMGF Database project to receive deeply discounted DNA profiles in order to take advantage of the resources available on the GeneTree family history social networking site.
“SMGF has not been able to provide individual DNA results back to study participants,” said Dr. Scott Woodward, executive director of SMGF. “The collaboration with GeneTree allows us to return results in a compelling, confidential way and we’re pleased to be able to offer this exceptional opportunity to those individuals who have participated in helping build the SMGF database. Many SMGF participants have expressed the desire to make greater family connections and collaborate on family history research using DNA tools; SMGF’s arrangement with GeneTree enables this.”
In order to be eligible for this special GeneTree/SMGF offer, participants must have ordered an SMGF participation kit prior to October 23, 2007 and returned the properly completed DNA kit, postmarked no later than December 31, 2007, to SMGF.
SMGF participants who meet these criteria will be able to access their mitochondrial DNA profiles (genetic information passed from mothers to all of their children) along with their SMGF-submitted pedigree information through the GeneTree Web site, generally within two weeks of their request. These profiles can be used to search for and connect with potential genetic relatives on the GeneTree site.
In 2000, SMGF began collecting DNA samples to build the Sorenson Database, the world’s most comprehensive and diverse collection of genetic information correlated with genealogical records. Currently, the database contains nearly 100,000 DNA samples and over six million corresponding genealogical records from participants in more than 170 nations throughout the world, and the Foundation continues to accelerate the growth of the database.
The GeneTree site, launched October 23, 2007, has licensed the SMGF database to further the family history research and social networking purposes of its members. A basic GeneTree membership is free. In addition, GeneTree offers cost-effective mitochondrial DNA tests. A $99 GeneTree test provides genetic sequence information collected from one of three major mitochondrial regions; a $149 test provides information from all three regions.
“GeneTree’s DNA testing services are extremely cost-effective, but we wanted to reward the people who chose to participate in the SMGF project before the advent of GeneTree, to help them take advantage of all the opportunities for social networking and collaborative family tree building available on that site,” said Matt Cupal, president and COO of GeneTree. “Providing participants with their genetic profiles for only $19.50 is the best way we could think of to say, ‘Thank you for participating in this project to connect the world’s individuals and families.’”
Additional information and instructions for obtaining SMGF DNA profiles for participation in GeneTree is available at www.genetree.com/dna/unlock_smgf