The Lost Family: How DNA Testing Is Upending Who We Are: How DNA Testing Is Upending Who We Are
Libby Copeland
A deeply reported look at the rise of home genetic testing and the seismic shock it has had on individual lives
You swab your cheek or spit in a vial, then send it away to a lab somewhere. Weeks later you get a report that might tell you where your ancestors came from or if you carry certain genetic risks. Or the report could reveal longburied family secrets and upend your entire sense of identity. Soon a lark becomes an obsession, a relentless drive to find answers to questions at the core of your being, like "Who am I?" and "Where did I come from?" Welcome to the age of home genetic testing.
In The Lost Family, journalist Libby Copeland investigates what happens when we embark on a vast social experiment with little understanding of the ramifications. She explores the culture of genealogy buffs, the science of DNA, and the business of companies like Ancestry and 23andMe, all while tracing the story of one woman, her unusual results, and a relentless methodical drive for answers that becomes a thoroughly modern genetic detective story. Gripping and masterfully told, The Lost Family is a spectacular book on a big, timely subject.
Eleni Roussos is an author and entertainment writer based in Los Angeles. After working behind the scenes on some of today’s biggest blockbusters, she transitioned into writing about them. Roussos is primarily known for her film-companion works, notably penning several volumes of Marvel’s The Art of the Movie book series.
Size Guide
×
Trending Now
