Ancestry

an individual's line of descent, family lineage, or the collective ancestors from whom a person is descended

DNA

is the molecule carrying genetic instructions for the development, functioning, and reproduction of all known organisms. It functions as a blueprint, providing instructions to build proteins, which determine an organism's traits and cellular operations.

Environmental Factors

: External influences—such as pollution, diet, lifestyle, or chemicals—that can impact health and potentially interact with a person's genes.

Family Health History

A record of diseases and medical conditions that run in a family, used to identify potential health risks.

Family Tree

A visual chart or diagram representing family relationships and connections across multiple generations.

Genetic Testing

The use of medical methods to determine if an individual has a genetic disorder, is likely to develop one, or is a carrier.

Genetics

The study of genes, heredity, and genetic variation in living organisms.

Heredity

The process by which genetic characters are passed from parents to their offspring.

Lineage

: A direct line of descent from an ancestor; the descendants of a common ancestor.

Maiden Name

The surname a woman is given at birth, often replaced by a spouse's surname upon marriage.

Maternal

anything relating to a mother, motherhood, or inheritance through the female parent.

Medical History

(Maternal/Paternal): Records of health information specifically from your mother’s side (maternal) or your father’s side (paternal).

Paternal

Paternal refers to anything relating to a father, fatherhood, or ancestry through the male line.

Predisposition

A genetic susceptibility or increased likelihood of developing a particular disease based on a person's genetic makeup.

Surname

: A family name passed down through generations; common surnames can help identify related individuals in DNA databases.