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Tracing ancestral lineages using DNA

In 2010, scientists in Dublin led by Professor Brendan Loftus successfully sequenced the first entire genome of an Irish person. This research revealed some startling differences between the 'Irish' and that of already sequenced 'English' genomes. With the explosion in the rate of DNA sequencing, it is only a matter of time before countless genomes from across the British Isles are available, allowing direct comparisons to be made between the English, Irish, Scottish and Welsh.

In this BBC Radio 4 documentary, Tracey Logan explains how analysis of DNA can be used to trace back ancestral lineages. She considers what the results of such studies might tell about ancient Britons and how this is reflected in the multi-cultural British Isles of the 21st century. She asks should we be prepared to draw further lines of difference between the four nations or will we be forced to accept a shared ancient heritage?

 Listen to interview section with Professor Brendan Loftus

  British, More or Less  Last broadcast on Wednesday, July 27 2011 21:00 on BBC Radio 4