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Genetic Genealogists

Outlook

Demand for DNA interpretation and genetic genealogy research will increase as more people become interested in researching their family history, more adoptees and others with unknown parentage seek to find genetic links to their blood relatives, and demand grows for paternity testing and genetic testing for inherited diseases. More law enforcement agencies will use investigative genetic genealogy techniques in the future, but IIG (as well as consumer DNA testing) remains controversial due to public concerns about privacy.

Genetic genealogy remains a small field, with no single training path. In the future, look for training to become standardized, and specialty-specific genealogical certification programs may be developed to professionalize the occupation. Genetic genealogists with extensive experience and formal education in the field will have the best job prospects during the next decade.

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