Genealogy and Technology with Dr. Blaine Bettinger

Sara Wilmshurst

Dr. Blaine Bettinger (aka TheGeneticGenealogist) kindly participated in an email interview with our editor Sara Wilmshurst and shared some insight on the changing practice of genealogy.

SW: Please introduce yourself to the readers.

BB: My name is Blaine Bettinger, and I am a genealogist specializing the fields of DNA and artificial intelligence. By day I am a intellectual property attorney, by night (and weekends!) I am a genealogy educator. I have a Ph.D. in biochemistry and molecular biology, and I have authored several books examining the intersection of DNA and traditional genealogical research.

SW: How have commercial DNA tests impacted your practice as a genealogist?

BB: I am probably very biased, as it has completely changed my practice as a genealogist, and indeed changed my entire life. Since taking my first genetic genealogy test in 2003, I have incorporated DNA into every aspect of my genealogical research (and of course become an educator in that field!). Speaking on behalf of other genealogists, however, commercial DNA tests have had many different impacts, from confirming existing research, breaking down brick walls, and uncovering long-hidden family secrets. DNA has become an essential component of genealogical research.

SW: How do genealogists use archival, sacramental, and government records in concert with genetic data?

BB: Genetic evidence (that is, genealogical evidence that relies on DNA testing) is completely useless without traditional genealogical records. For example, even a parent/child match at a commercial DNA testing database is not a conclusion without at least some form of documentary evidence (as it could be an identical twin instead of the parent, a bone marrow recipient, and other scenarios that are not a true parent/child). While documentary evidence can support a conclusion without genetic evidence, the reverse is not true.

SW: With reproductive technologies like gamete and embryo donation, surrogacy, and IVF, familial relationships and genetic relationships do not necessarily agree. How do these technologies impact genealogical research? How do you expect them to impact genealogy in the future?

BB: These technologies haven’t yet had much of an impact on the use of genetic evidence in genealogical conclusions. They have, however, had an impact on the surprising discoveries that DNA test-takers uncover. Many people have discovered their biological heritage, expected or unexpected, using commercial DNA testing. While I expect reproductive technologies to have more of an impact on genealogy in the future, the (correct!) trend currently is for this type of information to be freely available rather than hidden as it traditionally was in the past. Accordingly, future genealogists will likely be aware of the use of reproductive technology and thus can account for it accordingly.

SW: Same sex couples frequently need to rely on reproductive technology and their familial relationships are recorded differently across jurisdictions. What advice do you have for genealogists who wish to support same sex couples and their descendants?

BB: This is a very challenging question! As a member of the LGBTQ+ community myself, this is at the forefront of my mind. It’s important, especially now, to be a supportive member of the community in every way possible. With regard to genealogy, the entire community – including commercial entities – must find ways to be more inclusive of non-traditional relationships and families. The family of the past – mother, father, 2.5 children – is gone forever, but it is a good thing as the family of today can be more inclusive, more supportive, more loving than ever before.

SW: What do you think are the most interesting challenges in genealogical research today?

BB: One of the most interesting challenges is the rapid availability of new tools and new records. Almost every day, some new tool or dataset is available to genealogists. But staying on top of these developments is practically a full-time job! And therein is the challenge, being current while developments happen so quickly!