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Secrets in our DNA Preview

What can DNA testing companies reveal about our ancestry and health, and at what risk?

Aired 01/13/2021

NOVA

Secrets in our DNA Preview

Preview: Season 48 Episode 1 | 27sVideo has Closed Captions

What can DNA testing companies reveal about our ancestry and health, and at what risk?

Some 30 million Americans have sent their DNA to be analyzed by companies like 23andMe and AncestryDNA. But what happens once the sample is in the hands of testing companies, and how accurate are their results? NOVA explores the power of genetic data to reveal family connections, ancestry, and health risks—and even solve criminal cold cases.

Aired 01/13/2021

Problems with Closed Captions? Closed Captioning Feedback

Problems with Closed Captions? Closed Captioning Feedback

National Corporate funding for NOVA is provided by Carlisle Companies. Major funding for NOVA is provided by the NOVA Science Trust, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and PBS viewers.

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Carlisle

Half Sisters Unite Thanks to DNA Testing

Video has Closed Captions

In 2018, June Smith takes a consumer DNA test, hoping to solve a longstanding mystery. (4m 19s)

How—and why—DNA Testing Uses Biased Reference Databases

Video has Closed Captions

Are DNA ancestry tests equally accurate for all test takers? (5m 20s)

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National Corporate funding for NOVA is provided by Carlisle Companies. Major funding for NOVA is provided by the NOVA Science Trust, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and PBS viewers.

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