So before I lose power/wifi in yet another ridiculous midwestern storm (severe storm warnings, loads of lightening and hail, tornado watches issued...luckily the funnel clouds/tornados were all about 15 miles north --- at least for now), I wanted to quick update and say that my kit was received by FTDNA and I'm in batch #414. My results are expected by 7/20/2011. So until then, we wait.....
But in the meantime I will do at least a post or two discussing this test more in-depth as well as some interesting information I've come across in my research.
5 comments:
That is interesting. I got a note too and they said the results would be available the same day. I completed mine so much later than you I wonder if they collect them in groups. Such a long wait for such pivotal information....
Yes they're batched in groups. Mine probably arrived early on for batch 414 and yours probably at the tail end.
How exciting, we'll get our results at the same time!!
And yes, I'm sort of disappointed that our results won't be back for almost 2 months......I heard a month from when they receive your kit :o(
Occasionally you will get your results back before the expected date (happened with some of mine). Just depends on how smoothly things go in the lab over the next month or two.
I came across your blog and it is very interesting. Since I don't know anything about this subject maybe you could enlighten me. Other than someone closely associated with the community like the donor, recipient or the resulting child who else would donate their DNA. What would be the reason for a perfect stranger to send their DNA to be tested? I am sure most sperm donors would not easily divulge that information to anyone so that is the reason most of them are not known. And it is a safe bet most of them won't submit their DNA sample. Also lets assume you do get a match from a relative and you were able to trace it to the donor and he denies he ever donated and you have the wrong person, can you force him legally to ID himself? And my last question are you just seeking medical information or you want to be a part of this person's family?
Anonymous, to answer your questions and to clarify...
These genealogical DNA tests are primarily for genealogists. There are hundreds of thousands of individuals who submit their DNA to help find distant relatives. There are also many adoptees who also submit their DNA to these tests to help learn more about their birth family. Donor conceived adults are in the same boat as adoptees. We are using the test, not expecting our biological father to have submitted his DNA (although there are a number of former donors who have gone through these tests with the hope of finding their donated children). We are hoping to connect with some of his more distant relatives, and gain a better understanding of who we are.
As for if we identified who we believed to be our biological father, and he denied donating....no, we could not legally force him to disclose that. We do not have that right. But I think the prevailing attitude, at least among the several hundred offspring I have had contact with, is that not trying is simply not an option. If he were to deny being a donor, and we had such a confidence that he was in fact our biological father, I know of offspring who have contacted his adult children. Often the children are shocked (if he never disclosed his donating to his own family), but many are eager to learn of a new sibling they never knew existed.
And your last question.....I am seeking whatever my biological father is willing to provide or go forward with. I would not push him to have any sort of relationship with me. I think bottom line is that if I were to identify him and contact him, I want acknowledgement that he was my donor so I could have a name, a face, a heritage to half my identity, and simply knowing I exist and perhaps wanting to know me better.
Thanks for your comment and questions. It's always great to hear from people who find my blog without any prior knowledge on the subject and are curious as to our POV.
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