The consumer representation of DNA ancestry testing on YouTube
The growth of consumer DNA ancestry testing has resulted in questions and critiques being raised in social and research contexts. This study examined individuals discussing their ancestry DNA testing results on YouTube by searching for the two most popular testing companies (23andMe; Ancestry) and t...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Taylor & Francis Group
2021-04-01
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| Series: | New Genetics and Society |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14636778.2020.1799343 |
| _version_ | 1797681204503248896 |
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| author | Alessandro R. Marcon Christen Rachul Timothy Caulfield |
| author_facet | Alessandro R. Marcon Christen Rachul Timothy Caulfield |
| author_sort | Alessandro R. Marcon |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The growth of consumer DNA ancestry testing has resulted in questions and critiques being raised in social and research contexts. This study examined individuals discussing their ancestry DNA testing results on YouTube by searching for the two most popular testing companies (23andMe; Ancestry) and the phrase “DNA results.” The finalized dataset consisted of 117 videos, on which directed content analysis was performed. In the videos, individuals used results to clarify, confirm, question, and re-evaluate their previously held conceptions of racial/ethnic identities. Reactions were more positive than negative (88.1% vs. 8.1%), and results more commonly reaffirmed (77.8%) than re-conceptualized (40.0%) one’s racial/ethnic identity. Ancestry testing and personal social media accounts were commonly promoted, demonstrating biotechnological hype where promotion abounds and critiques are scarce. Questions persist around the impact of ancestry DNA testing in reifying a scientifically inaccurate conception of race and what impact YouTube videos might have on audiences. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T23:42:01Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-0937af29fb29453b899c5219e30be6e6 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1463-6778 1469-9915 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T23:42:01Z |
| publishDate | 2021-04-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | New Genetics and Society |
| spelling | doaj.art-0937af29fb29453b899c5219e30be6e62023-09-19T15:22:18ZengTaylor & Francis GroupNew Genetics and Society1463-67781469-99152021-04-0140213315410.1080/14636778.2020.17993431799343The consumer representation of DNA ancestry testing on YouTubeAlessandro R. Marcon0Christen Rachul1Timothy Caulfield2Health Law Institute, Faculty of Law, University of AlbertaRady Faculty Sciences, University of ManitobaHealth Law Institute, Faculty of Law and The School of Public Health, University of AlbertaThe growth of consumer DNA ancestry testing has resulted in questions and critiques being raised in social and research contexts. This study examined individuals discussing their ancestry DNA testing results on YouTube by searching for the two most popular testing companies (23andMe; Ancestry) and the phrase “DNA results.” The finalized dataset consisted of 117 videos, on which directed content analysis was performed. In the videos, individuals used results to clarify, confirm, question, and re-evaluate their previously held conceptions of racial/ethnic identities. Reactions were more positive than negative (88.1% vs. 8.1%), and results more commonly reaffirmed (77.8%) than re-conceptualized (40.0%) one’s racial/ethnic identity. Ancestry testing and personal social media accounts were commonly promoted, demonstrating biotechnological hype where promotion abounds and critiques are scarce. Questions persist around the impact of ancestry DNA testing in reifying a scientifically inaccurate conception of race and what impact YouTube videos might have on audiences.http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14636778.2020.1799343dna ancestry testingyoutubeconsumerssocial media |
| spellingShingle | Alessandro R. Marcon Christen Rachul Timothy Caulfield The consumer representation of DNA ancestry testing on YouTube New Genetics and Society dna ancestry testing youtube consumers social media |
| title | The consumer representation of DNA ancestry testing on YouTube |
| title_full | The consumer representation of DNA ancestry testing on YouTube |
| title_fullStr | The consumer representation of DNA ancestry testing on YouTube |
| title_full_unstemmed | The consumer representation of DNA ancestry testing on YouTube |
| title_short | The consumer representation of DNA ancestry testing on YouTube |
| title_sort | consumer representation of dna ancestry testing on youtube |
| topic | dna ancestry testing youtube consumers social media |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14636778.2020.1799343 |
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