Myth:

Most people don't have any genetic mutations, so why bother?

Truth:

Everyone has some genetic mutations, even people who live to 110. What's important is the specific nature of your own DNA and how that correlates to the likelihood of developing a specific condition. Navigenics will give you that information.

Learn more

Spencer Wells, Ph.D.

Dr. Wells is a leading population geneticist, the director of the Genographic Project and a National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence. A scientist, author and documentary filmmaker, he has dedicated much of his career to studying humankind's family tree and closing the gaps in our knowledge of human migration.

Dr. Wells' field studies in human population genetics began in 1996 with his survey of Central Asia. In 1998 Wells and his colleagues expanded their study to include some 25,000 miles of Asia and the former Soviet republics. His landmark findings led to advances in the understanding of the Y chromosome and its ability to trace ancestral human migration. Dr. Wells then returned to academia where, at Oxford University, he was director of the Population Genetics Research Group of the Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics. Following a stint as director of population genetics for a Massachusetts-based biotechnology company, Dr. Wells decided in 2001 to focus on communicating scientific discovery through books and documentary films. From that was born "The Journey of Man: A Genetic Odyssey," an award-winning book and documentary.

He is the recipient of numerous scientific awards, grants and fellowships, including the 2007 Kistler Prize for accomplishment in the field of genetics. His work has taken him to more than 60 countries, including Chad, Tajikistan, Morocco and French Polynesia. He recently published his second book, "Deep Ancestry: Inside the Genographic Project." Dr. Wells graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Texas with a degree in biology and earned his Ph.D. at Harvard University. He did postdoctoral training at Stanford University.