Libby Copeland Libri

A deeply reported look at home genetic testing and the seismic shock it has had on our culture and on individual lives You swab your cheek or spit in a vial, then send it away to a lab somewhere. Weeks later you get a report that might tell you where your ancestors came from or if you carry certain genetic risks. Or, the report could reveal a long-buried family secret that upends your entire sense of identity. Soon a lark becomes an obsession, a relentless drive to find answers to questions at the core of your being, like "Who am I?" and "Where did I come from?" Welcome to the age of home genetic testing. In The Lost Family, journalist Libby Copeland investigates what happens when we embark on a vast social experiment with little understanding of the ramifications. She explores the culture of genealogy buffs, the science of DNA, and the business of companies like Ancestry and 23andMe, all while tracing the story of one woman, her unusual results, and a relentless methodical drive for answers that becomes a thoroughly modern genetic detective story. Gripping and masterfully told, The Lost Family is a spectacular book on a big, timely subject.

You swab your cheek or spit into a vial, send it to a lab, and weeks later receive a report revealing your ancestral origins or genetic risks. This process can uncover long-buried family secrets, challenging your sense of identity. What begins as a curiosity can quickly turn into an obsession, prompting deep questions like "Who am I?" and "Where did I come from?" Journalist Libby Copeland investigates the implications of home genetic testing in a society engaging in this vast social experiment. She delves into the world of genealogy enthusiasts, the science behind DNA, and the businesses like Ancestry and 23andMe, while following one woman's quest for answers that unfolds into a modern genetic detective story. The narrative highlights lives transformed by DNA tests, including adoptees finding birth parents, donor-conceived individuals discovering numerous siblings, and many Americans facing the reality of "non-paternity events." Copeland examines how these revelations affect perceptions of race and ethnicity, raising critical questions about genetic essentialism and identity. With over thirty million people having undergone testing, understanding the role of our genes in defining who we are is increasingly significant. Gripping and masterfully told, this exploration addresses a timely and profound subject.