Social networks connect the modern world with ancestors

Neurologist June Wong has found a way to bring young people's social website into the adult world. Instead of exchanging photos, music and phone numbers like MySpace members, Wong's online community participants share DNA patterns.

Wong is currently the managing director of Genetrack Biolabs - one of Canada's largest DNA testing companies. When registering on the website DNAancestryproject.com, people can check whether they have a connection with celebrities such as Queen Marie Marie of Antoinette by comparing DNA.

Further, participants can search for their ancestors thousands of years ago. Researchers found that one in five people in northwestern Ireland had a DNA sample like King Niall Noigiallach, which dominated the country in the early fifth century. They also estimated that 2% of European men living in New York shared the royal bloodline.

The process of human DNA transformation, taking place 10-20 generations, is still stored in the gene and acts as a "warranty stamp" to help people know their origins. The use of DNA to identify ancestors began to be widespread when the National Geographic Society of America and IBM collaborated in 2005 to chart the history of migration and human genetic diversity.

According to Wong, everyone enthusiastically participated in the project but also doubted: "Are you going to clone me?". The largest group of participants was 47-54 and in the first 11 months of operation there were 2 million registered individuals. In particular, more than 300,000 people log in to regular services every week.

Social networks for young people are in trouble for personal rights and security . Wong affirmed that their "DNA network" has not raised any problems because it has just begun to develop.