The Lost Family: How DNA Testing Is Upending Who We Are
“Before you spit in that vial, read this book.” —New York Times Book Review

In The Lost Family, journalist Libby Copeland investigates what happens when we embark on a vast social experiment with little understanding of the ramifications.

She explores the culture of genealogy buffs, the science of DNA, and the business of companies like Ancestry and 23andMe, all while tracing the story of one woman, her unusual results, and a relentless methodical drive for answers that becomes a thoroughly modern genetic detective story.

Gripping and masterfully told, The Lost Family is a spectacular book on a big, timely subject.

“An urgently necessary, powerful book that addresses one of the most complex social and bioethical issues of our time.” —Dani Shapiro, New York Times bestselling author

“A fascinating exploration of the mysteries ignited by DNA genealogy testing—from the intensely personal and concrete to the existential and unsolvable.” —Tana French, New York Times bestselling author

“Impeccably researched . . . up-to-the-minute science meets the philosophy of identity in a poignant, engaging debut.” —Kirkus (starred review)
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The Lost Family: How DNA Testing Is Upending Who We Are
“Before you spit in that vial, read this book.” —New York Times Book Review

In The Lost Family, journalist Libby Copeland investigates what happens when we embark on a vast social experiment with little understanding of the ramifications.

She explores the culture of genealogy buffs, the science of DNA, and the business of companies like Ancestry and 23andMe, all while tracing the story of one woman, her unusual results, and a relentless methodical drive for answers that becomes a thoroughly modern genetic detective story.

Gripping and masterfully told, The Lost Family is a spectacular book on a big, timely subject.

“An urgently necessary, powerful book that addresses one of the most complex social and bioethical issues of our time.” —Dani Shapiro, New York Times bestselling author

“A fascinating exploration of the mysteries ignited by DNA genealogy testing—from the intensely personal and concrete to the existential and unsolvable.” —Tana French, New York Times bestselling author

“Impeccably researched . . . up-to-the-minute science meets the philosophy of identity in a poignant, engaging debut.” —Kirkus (starred review)
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The Lost Family: How DNA Testing Is Upending Who We Are

The Lost Family: How DNA Testing Is Upending Who We Are

by Libby Copeland
The Lost Family: How DNA Testing Is Upending Who We Are

The Lost Family: How DNA Testing Is Upending Who We Are

by Libby Copeland

Paperback

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$17.00 
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Overview

“Before you spit in that vial, read this book.” —New York Times Book Review

In The Lost Family, journalist Libby Copeland investigates what happens when we embark on a vast social experiment with little understanding of the ramifications.

She explores the culture of genealogy buffs, the science of DNA, and the business of companies like Ancestry and 23andMe, all while tracing the story of one woman, her unusual results, and a relentless methodical drive for answers that becomes a thoroughly modern genetic detective story.

Gripping and masterfully told, The Lost Family is a spectacular book on a big, timely subject.

“An urgently necessary, powerful book that addresses one of the most complex social and bioethical issues of our time.” —Dani Shapiro, New York Times bestselling author

“A fascinating exploration of the mysteries ignited by DNA genealogy testing—from the intensely personal and concrete to the existential and unsolvable.” —Tana French, New York Times bestselling author

“Impeccably researched . . . up-to-the-minute science meets the philosophy of identity in a poignant, engaging debut.” —Kirkus (starred review)

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781419747939
Publisher: Abrams Press
Publication date: 06/01/2021
Pages: 304
Product dimensions: 5.40(w) x 8.20(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Libby Copeland is an award-winning journalist who has written for the Washington Post, New York magazine, the New York Times, the Atlantic, and many other publications. Copeland was a reporter and editor at the Post for eleven years, has been a media fellow and guest lecturer, and has made numerous appearances on television and radio.

Table of Contents

Prologue 1

1 Alice Is Not Alice 7

2 Crude Beginnings 22

3 Somebody Ought to Start a Business 37

4 Your Truth or Mine? 52

5 Non-paternity Events 72

6 Alice and the Double Helix 92

7 Eureka in the Chromosomes 107

8 Search Angels 122

9 27 Percent Asia Central 144

10 What to Claim 163

11 The Mystery of Jim Collins 178

12 The Simplest Explanation 192

13 The American Family 203

14 Your Genes Are Not Yours Alone 222

15 Late Night 242

16 Alice Redux 259

17 Where We're Going 268

Selected Bibliography 277

Acknowledgments 279

Index 283

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