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22-402: SMGF originated in 1999 and was inspired by several conversations between inventor and philanthropist James LeVoy Sorenson and Brigham Young University professor Dr. Scott Woodward . Mr. Sorenson envisioned the development of a genetic-genealogical blueprint of all humankind. This blueprint, as developed by Dr. Woodward, would show how closely humans are related to one another, demonstrating

44-547: A high school diploma, he made a fortune in local real estate before expanding in other directions such as innovative technology. Sorenson holds roughly 60 patents, and is credited with a number of medical inventions including the disposable surgical mask and the disposable venous catheter . One of his companies, Sorenson Genomics, has also begun a genetic database known as the Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation , and claims to be

66-756: A mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . On Wednesday, February 15, 2006, Sorenson received the "Giant of Our City" award in Salt Lake City for his philanthropy and effort in identifying the tsunami victims. Upon his death, Sorenson donated his entire personal fortune to charity. He was married to Beverley Taylor Sorenson , a great granddaughter of LDS Church President John Taylor . They had eight children — Carol Smith, Shauna Johnson, James Lee Sorenson, Ann Crocker, Joan Fenton, Joseph Sorenson, Gail Williamsen and Christine Harris. Sorenson died on January 20, 2008, of cancer, aged 86. He

88-803: A mitochondrial DNA database. The Y-DNA database allowed males to search their direct paternal line; the mtDNA database allowed both males and females search their direct maternal line. According to ISOGG.org, Sorenson "also had large X chromosome and autosomal STR databases, but these databases were never made publicly available." Y-chromosome Database: The Y chromosome is passed on from father to son with little changes to Y-DNA. Surnames also tend to generally be passed on from father to son. The Sorenson Database used Y-chromosome genetic markers and surnames to determine common ancestors. Users could share DNA results and pedigree charts obtained from other sources. They could search for ancestors using their surname, genetic marker values obtained through their DNA analysis, or

110-403: A 46-marker test. YDNA is passed from father to son, so males with the same YDNA often have the same surname in addition to sharing a male ancestor. GeneTree offered mitochondrial DNA testing (males and females) that gives information about maternal ancestry. GeneTree's tests look at HVR1, HVR2, and HVR3 of the mtDNA. mtDNA is passed from mother to children, so people with the same mtDNA share

132-469: A combination of the two. The database also had genetic marker default values if users did not have their own genetic information. A Y-DNA test analyzes similarities in Y-chromosome DNA markers, corresponding to specific locations on the Y chromosome. Markers have a Short tandem repeat (STR) that involve repeats of 2–5 DNA base pairs. At Sorenson labs, the number of STRs in a 36-marker haplotype

154-595: A maternal line. The Sorenson Database compared mitochondrial DNA from over 76, 000 people in their mitochondrial database to find cousins connected across generations. Users could share their mtDNA results from other commercial labs. The mtDNA test examines three regions of the D-loop of mtDNA: HVR1, HVR2 and HVR3 which is called the Hypervariable region . Mutations in these areas of mtDNA are extremely rare and have likely not changed between maternal-line cousins within

176-507: A number of research papers, many of which involved collaborations with other researchers. DNA collection for the project initially involved drawing blood samples; since August 2002, the SMGF used a mouthwash-based collection method (GenetiRinse), which has the advantage that it can be mailed to participants living in remote areas. In May 2015, Ancestry.com took down the SMGF website, citing that "the site has been used for purposes other than what

198-735: A publicly available online repository. This repository was known as the Sorenson Database. SMGF collected more than 100,000 DNA samples and familial pedigrees from donors around the world, all of which were available in the Sorenson Database. This database was acquired by Ancestry.com prior to its launch of AncestryDNA when they purchased GeneTree in 2012. Genetree was SMGF's commercial arm. The Sorenson Database contained more than 100,000 DNA samples and familial pedigrees, encompassing 2.8 million genealogical records and 2.4 million genotypes. The Sorenson Database matched genetic information with familial surnames. A person searching through

220-399: The database was able to find both genetic and genealogical matches, but could search using either DNA haplotypes or familial surname. The average family pedigree contained six generations of pedigree information (more than 150 years) with over 6 million genetically linked ancestors. There were only two areas for individuals to search within the Sorenson Database, a Y chromosome database and

242-535: The familial relationships between unique individuals. The collection of DNA samples and associated family pedigrees began in 2000, beginning first with Brigham Young University students, and quickly branching outside of Utah, then to the rest of the world. In 2003, SMGF moved its operations from the Brigham Young University campus to Salt Lake City. SMGF also outsourced all of its laboratory work to Sorenson Genomics , freeing researchers to create

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264-718: The last 500 years. Therefore, looking at mutations in these areas can determine maternal lineages. Samples of mtDNA submitted to the Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation were compared to the Cambridge Reference Sequence (CRS) of mtDNA then to each other for relatedness. One of the perhaps overly ambitious missions of SMGF was to connect any two individuals in the world, showing to both how they are related. In order to accomplish this goal, SMGF collected DNA samples and correlated familial pedigrees from participants around

286-438: The local law enforcement, were eventually recognized to have followed proper constitutional procedures of privacy protection and court oversight in the case, the scandal significantly impacted Ancestry.com's reputation and led to the decision to deactivate the website and mothball the SMGF database. Official sites News articles James LeVoy Sorenson James LeVoy Sorenson (July 30, 1921 – January 20, 2008)

308-701: The only laboratory in the world to have successfully identified victims in Thailand of the 2004 tsunami . In 1982, Sorenson received the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement . In 2003, Sorenson was honored as the "Alumnus of the Year" by Sierra College in Rocklin, California , which he attended from 1940 to 1941. His pre-med studies were interrupted by World War II and

330-599: The world. After reaching their 100,000 sample goal, SMGF modified their goals to focus less on collecting new samples and more on analysis of previous samples. New participants were still accepted through SMGF's subsidiary, GeneTree for many years. Also, previous SMGF participants could buy their DNA report through GeneTree.com. Another goal of SMGF was to advance research in the scientific field of molecular genealogy. SMGF conducted research to identify additional DNA markers which link an individual to their genealogical family, however direct or distant. SMGF researchers published

352-541: Was an American businessman, the founder of Sorenson Companies , a parent company of 32 corporations. A noted philanthropist, he was the richest man in Utah with an estimated net worth of $ 4.5 billion at the time of his death. He donated his entire personal fortune to charity. Sorenson was born in Rexburg, Idaho , the son of Joseph LeVoy and Emma Blaser Sorenson, and was of Swedish, Norwegian and Swiss ancestry. With only

374-429: Was closed on January 1, 2013 and its assets were transferred to Ancestry.com . GeneTree was founded in 1997 by a graduate of Wayne State University ’s Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Terrence Carmichael, who earned a master’s degree in molecular biology and genetics in 1995. Genetree did not offer multi-generational genealogy tests initially. Carmichael declared, “Over 95 percent of our first-year business

396-412: Was compared between the sample given and the database to determine relatedness. The Single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) was also examined. Y-chromosome SNPs are rare and can be used to separate populations of men or haplogroups and can be used in population studies. Mitochondrial Database: Both males and females inherit their mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) from their mother, which allows mtDNA to determine

418-633: Was discontinued on January 1, 2013 and access to family trees was no longer made available through the GeneTree site. Prior to that date, Ancestry.com offered their subscribers who were former GeneTree customers an opportunity to download their DNA test results and manually enter them at Ancestry.com. Beginning January 1, 2013, those who don't have a current subscription to Ancestry.com no longer had access to their GeneTree DNA results. GeneTree offered Y chromosome DNA testing (males only) that gives information about paternal ancestry, including 33-marker and

440-645: Was in paternity testing.” In fall 2001, GeneTree sold its assets to Salt Lake City-based Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation ("SMGF") which originated in 1999. The GeneTree website brought together elements of several existing Sorenson Companies: DNA testing by Sorenson Genomics, the DNA-genealogy database established by the SMGF research project, and the media sharing abilities of Sorenson Media. In 2012, Ancestry.com announced to its customers, "In March, Ancestry.com DNA, LLC acquired access to an extensive collection of DNA assets from SMGF." Genetree.com

462-445: Was intended, forcing [Ancestry.com] to cease operations on the site." The action by Ancestry.com was taken in response to news revelations claiming that the SMGF database had been used by Ancestry.com and local law enforcement, without any court oversight [e.g., a warrant] and in violation of SMGF's privacy policy, to try to tie criminal suspects to crime scenes. Although the actions in the case by all parties, particularly Ancestry.com and

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484-518: Was survived by a large extended family, including his wife, eight children and 47 grandchildren. GeneTree GeneTree was a family history website focused on using DNA testing to trace ancestry. A website account was free, and within their account users could order DNA tests, enter results from other testing companies, search the DNA database, create an online family tree, and correspond with family members – including sharing pictures. Genetree.com

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