Written by Jazelyn M. Salvador, MSc; Ma. Corazon de Ungria, PhD
STAR SCIENCE, Philippine Star
Y-chromosome DNA typing is the most useful test for male
identification since this chromosome is found only in males, and is
passed from fathers to sons. Hence, paternal grandfathers, fathers, sons
and their male relatives along an uninterrupted paternal line share the
same Y chromosome. In fact, one can trace one’s paternal ancestors
through many generations using Y chromosome data. Results of Y
chromosome studies of different populations are consistent with the
identified African origin of humankind. The question of human origin has
been the subject of many studies and featured in many exhibits such as
those found at the Cradle of Humankind Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage
Site located in the Gauteng province in South Africa (http://www.gauteng.net/cradleofhumankind).
Y-DNA typing data, consistent with archaeological evidence, has
contributed to the concept of the “African Adam,” and show that all
anatomically modern humans originated from a common ancestor that lived
in Africa.
