The Lost Family

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You swab your cheek or spit into a vial, send it to a lab, and weeks later receive a report revealing your ancestral origins or genetic risks. This process can uncover long-buried family secrets, challenging your sense of identity. What begins as a curiosity can quickly turn into an obsession, prompting deep questions like "Who am I?" and "Where did I come from?" Journalist Libby Copeland investigates the implications of home genetic testing in a society engaging in this vast social experiment. She delves into the world of genealogy enthusiasts, the science behind DNA, and the businesses like Ancestry and 23andMe, while following one woman's quest for answers that unfolds into a modern genetic detective story. The narrative highlights lives transformed by DNA tests, including adoptees finding birth parents, donor-conceived individuals discovering numerous siblings, and many Americans facing the reality of "non-paternity events." Copeland examines how these revelations affect perceptions of race and ethnicity, raising critical questions about genetic essentialism and identity. With over thirty million people having undergone testing, understanding the role of our genes in defining who we are is increasingly significant. Gripping and masterfully told, this exploration addresses a timely and profound subject.