Ask Amy: Recovering addict feels hounded by dreams
Read: “How to Be an Antiracist,” by Ibram X. Kendi (2019, One World). Part memoir, part polemic, Kendi’s book provides provocative talking points and concrete action plans for people who want to know – and do – more to connect across the racial divide.
Dear Amy: You’ve published many letters from people outlining surprising or shocking discoveries brought about through DNA testing.
For instance, "No Longer Bewildered" reported that her DNA test showed that she was half-sister to her niece, an impossibility, as she pointed out.
With me, it was different. It showed that my half-brother was my cousin. So I think that, maybe, all of the half-siblings that have been found could actually be cousins.
– Understand Now
Dear Understand Now: DTC (direct to consumer) home DNA tests contain important boilerplate language in their user agreements: “…for entertainment purposes only.”
I assume that in a general sense, the data doesn’t lie, but the testing itself can be flawed.
It’s important that people understand that any results they receive should be seen as the beginning – not the end — of their search for answers.
========
(You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or Facebook.)
©2021 Amy Dickinson. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
