> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.nationalism.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.nationalism.io/ancestral-group-verification-process/genetic-testing.md).

# Genetic testing

For genetic testing there are two key areas that can help with adopting ancestral nationalism. The first is being able to do direct lineage testing so that you can verify peoples direct ancestral ties and compare this with other supporting evidence. Understanding lineage in sufficient detail for different individuals and groups can help with creating a more accurate reference panel. The second thing is being able to test the genetic markers from each individual in the population against that reference panel to confirm what percentage of those markers that they share with the ancestral population.

Genetic testing has a number of steps involved but we can focus on two main parts of the process. These include the data collection methods and the analytical approaches that can be used against that data which are covered here:

{% content-ref url="/pages/X7a9BcysggTMqYLBEDE1" %}
[Genetic data collection methods](/ancestral-group-verification-process/genetic-testing/genetic-data-collection-methods.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/rORZ3tpmTwCvLCw36ykP" %}
[Genetic analysis approaches](/ancestral-group-verification-process/genetic-testing/genetic-analysis-approaches.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

## Genetic testing complexities

**Establishing a strong initial reference panel**

A number of existing companies help people with understanding their ancestry and which regions they come from. The reference panels these companies have created are not publicly available. To create a reference panel to use for the purpose of adopting ancestral nationalism as a political system you would need to create a reference panel from scratch or collaborate with existing companies to create one using some or all of their own data and methods.

There is complexity and cost in setting up a panel from scratch and there is complexity with a company sharing their own reference panel due to privacy concerns and legal agreements on how they can use that data.

**Reference panel coverage and accuracy**

To cover an entire population it will be difficult to create a reference panel that is exhaustive and that covers the broader population. The complexities with creating a good reference panel are not just about the population in-group. Understanding the genetic markets of external populations will be important for increasing any confidence levels around the ancestral ties of each individual. A system for genetically testing a population's ancestry will need a reference panel for other regions and areas from across the world.

**Updating the reference panel**

Any reference panel will need to be updated over time as new genetic data and evidence emerges that justifies adding or removing individuals and their genetic markets from the panel. This adds complexity around how that panel should be updated and how that will impact historical test results that have already been completed.

**Updating credential outcomes**

When individuals from the broader population are tested against the panel they might be issued a credential that provides them with proof that they completed the test and the results they received. The problem with this is the reference panel might be updated and this might change their results. Their ancestral ties to the population might decrease or increase due to changes in the reference panel. A system that issues these credentials might need to be able to revoke existing credentials when those reference panel changes result in a change of test results for certain individuals. Those individuals may need to submit their markets again to reconfirm their updated result.

**Implementation cost**

Autosomal DNA testing is highly scalable and a suitable approach for testing a broad population. However there are costs involved that will increase the complexity of adopting a political system based on ancestry. If the cost ranged from between $10 to $40 to test each individual in a population at scale it would mean that a nation-state of 10 million people would need to spend $100 million to $400 million to implement this system.

## **Genetic testing opportunities**

The population's ancestry will need to be verified to become a citizen in an ancestral nationalist society. The opportunity with genetic tests are all of the other things that this form of testing could be used for. An individual could find out about a number of things related to their genetics at the same time they are being tested for their ancestry:

* **Health risks** - Whether they carry a higher genetic risk for certain diseases, such as some cancers, heart conditions or Alzheimer’s or variants for things that might affect cholesterol, blood clotting or iron processing. It can also help with understanding inherited conditions that they may pass down to children like cystic fibrosis or sickle cell disease.
* **Medication response** - Whether they may process certain drugs too quickly or too slowly, whether they have a higher risk of side effects from specific medications or whether certain antidepressants, pain medications, blood thinners or anaesthesia-related drugs may need special consideration.
* **Traits** - Whether someone has certain traits that could be useful to know like lactose intolerance, caffeine sensitivity, alcohol flushing tendencies or abilities to detect certain tastes.
* **Family origins** - The ancestral test will determine whether they are part of the broader ancestral group or not but genetic testing can also help with understanding more about your own family origins and creating your own family tree.
* **Reproductive information** - Whether someone is a carrier of recessive diseases, whether both partners share carrier status for the same condition and in some cases information that is relevant to fertility or inherited reproductive disorders.
* **Rare but high impact findings** - Sometimes genetic testing can help with finding variants linked to rare conditions where early action really matters. Examples could include BRCA1/BRCA2 variants which are related to breast and ovarian cancer risks, lynch syndrome risks and certain inherited heart rhythm disorders.

There are costs involved in verifying a population's ancestry to transition from one national system over to an ancestral nationalist one. However the systems and processes that are needed for this verification process can also introduce an opportunity to establish a more expansive public health screening service that could provide very meaningful information to the wider public about their own ancestral history, traits and general health.