DNA testing to trace "ethnicity"

[Britjan]

Has anybody delved into this other facet of DNA testing and can they provide some feedback?
On my own behalf I'd like to know a bit more about where I came from apart from England and Ireland.
My two daughters have some Canadian aboriginal heritage likely from the bands that were forced to settle in quite narrow areas of Ontario around the start of the 19th century. My grandson also possibly has some aboriginal heritage from his Newfoundland roots as well. Like many other heritage issues the aboriginal one draws a lot of "wannabees" particularly in Canada where there is some reparation for past mistreatment. That's not an outcome that interests us at all although we continue to learn about the extent of that mistreatment.

 

[Britjan]

• Today's Europeans and East Asians owe 1% to 2% of their DNA to Neanderthals

Rather than start a new discussion I am posting the topic of our genetic relationship to Neanderthals here. There is emerging evidence through the first systematic search for Neanderthal DNA in humans that the relationship is closer than currently acknowledged. Like much news these days the subject gets aired on blogs before it reaches reliable mainstream print but I've posted a link to what struck me as the most informative. The research as it evolves is likely to provide some interesting thoughts on the useful parts of Neanderthal DNA such as adaptation to new climates when they left Africa and it's role in Type 2 diabetes. I don't think we'll be naming Neanderthals on our trees any time soon but an interesting diversion!