Migrations of ancient peoples, differences in migration patterns of males and females, historical demography of cultures with ancient roots, and patterns of human genetic diversity are increasingly the focus of integrated analysis by historians, anthropologists and geneticists. When people move, they take their genes along and pass them on to their descendants in their new homes. Thus every present-day population retains clues to its ancient roots. Common ancestries can be confirmed and human migrations traced by comparing DNA sequences of present-day populations. For instance, early migrations of modern humans out of Africa have been traced by analysis of DNA sequences.
Genomic analysis can reveal the historical demography of cultures with ancient roots.
Genomic analysis can also indicate how current populations are related to each other, and often the extent and timing of their contacts. Dr. King will also discuss what genetic analysis can tell us about differences and similarities between diverse human populations. This discussion is part of a series initiated in 1990 by the Congressional Biomedical Research Caucus. The Caucus seeks to support the efforts of Congressional committees which have invested in basic biomedical research, predominantly through the National Institutes of Health. The Caucus provides a forum where Members and their staffs can interact directly with the researchers who have led the world in important scientific discoveries.