Join a real-time, landmark research project! Learn something about your deep ancestry while contributing to the overall success of the Project.

The Genographic Project is a global research partnership of National Geographic and IBM. With support for field research from the Waitt Family Foundation, Dr. Spencer Wells and a group of the world's leading scientists will attempt to collect and analyze more than 100,000 DNA samples from indigenous people all over the world. The goal of the Genographic Project is to learn about the migratory paths our ancestors took and how humankind populated the planet. Find more detailed information on the Genographic Project, at www.nationalgeographic.com/genographic

The general public can actually take an active part in this remarkable effort by purchasing a Genographic Project Public Participation Kit and by submitting an anonymous sample of their DNA using an easy and painless cheek swab. By participating, you will not only contribute to this great endeavor, but you may discover something fascinating about your own genetic past as well. Furthermore, the proceeds from the sales of the Kits will be channeled back into the Project to support additional research and to fund education, cultural conservation, and language revitalization efforts for indigenous and traditional communities around the world.

The Participation Kit includes the following:

• DVD with a Genographic Project overview hosted by Dr. Spencer Wells, visual instructions on how to collect a DNA sample using a cheek scraper, and a bonus feature program the National Geographic Channel/PBS production The Journey of Man.
• Exclusive National Geographic map illustrating human migratory history and created especially for the Genographic Project.
• Buccal swab kit, instructions, and a self-addressed envelope in which to return your cheek swab sample.
• Detailed brochure about the Genographic Project, featuring National Geographic photography.
• Confidential Genographic Project ID # (GPID) to anonymously access your results at www.nationalgeographic.com/genographic

The purchase price also includes the cost of the testing and analysis that will take place once your sample is sent in.

Once you have completed the cheek swabbing process, you will secure the swabs inside the transport tubes, complete the informed consent form and mail the tubes and form off to the lab using the supplied envelope. It can take the lab several weeks to process and analyze your DNA. In the meantime, you can visit the Genographic web site to see where your sample is in the analysis process and learn about current processing times.

• Thank you for your interest in the Genographic Project. By purchasing a Genographic Project Public Participation Kit, you are about to take the first step in participating in this groundbreaking project. This policy is meant to explain the terms and conditions applicable to the purchase of the Genographic Project Public Participation Kit and to participation in the Genographic Project, as well as an explanation of how the personal information provided by you will be used by National Geographic.
  
  
• Throughout this document, the term National Geographic refers to National Geographic, its affiliates, agents, contractors and its licensees.
• How does the Genographic Project work?
  
  
• If you choose to purchase a Genographic Project Public Participation Kit, we will ship the Kit to you via U.S. Mail, UPS or other courier service. The Kit will provide detailed instructions on collecting a sample of cells from inside your cheek and returning the sample to us so that we can do the DNA analysis to provide you with your own genetic migratory profile. Please read the instructions provided carefully. The kit contains a password for access to the Genographic Project participant web page. YOU MUST RETAIN THIS PASSWORD IN ORDER TO ACCESS YOUR GENETIC MIGRATORY PROFILE. To protect your privacy, National Geographic does not associate any personally identifiable information about you with this randomly assigned password, and if you lose this password we cannot recover it for you or provide you with any other means of accessing the results of your participation.
• Once you have followed the instructions and collected your sample, you must return the sample to National Geographic. By returning the sample, you are consenting to have your DNA sample tested to determine what migratory routes your deep ancestors followed and to which branch of the Phylogenetic tree you belong. CHILDREN UNDER AGE 18 MUST HAVE A PARENT OR GUARDIAN CONSENT TO THE DNA ANALYSIS.
  
  
• National Geographic will analyze your DNA to determine what migratory routes your deep ancestors followed and to which branch of the Phylogenetic tree you belong. THE TESTS DO NOT TELL US ANYTHING ABOUT YOUR HEALTH, OR ABOUT ANY HEALTH PROBLEMS YOU (OR YOUR FAMILY) MAY HAVE. Once National Geographic has conducted the DNA analysis, you will be able to access your personal genetic migratory profile by logging on to the Genographic Project's personal gateway web page at www.nationalgeographic.com/genographic and using the password provided to you.
  
  
• What personal information does National Geographic require so that I may participate in the Genographic Project, and how will that information be used?
  
  
• National Geographic only requires personal information necessary to complete the credit card transaction and supply you with the Genographic Project Public Participation Kit. During your online order processing, National Geographic will ask for your name, address, credit card information, phone number, and e-mail address. This information will be used to process your order and will assist us in getting back in touch with you regarding your order. When you provide the DNA sample to the Genographic Project, it will be identified by the Genographic Project password provided to you in the kit. You must retain this password in order to access your genetic migratory profile. We will not know the password enclosed in the kit sent to you. The purchase of a Genographic Project Public Participation Kit is governed by the nationalgeographic.com Privacy Policy and any Terms of Service posted on nationalgeographic.com, as those policies are supplemented here. We encourage you to read our complete Privacy Policy and any Terms of Service.
  
  
• Will National Geographic conduct health-related analysis on my DNA sample or provide the sample to my physician?
  
  
• No. National Geographic will not conduct any health-related tests on the DNA sample provided. The DNA analysis conducted by National Geographic is specific to determining what migratory routes your deep ancestors followed and to which branch of the Phylogenetic tree you belong and in no way relates to analyzing your health, health status or any inherited health conditions.
  
  
• Are children under the age of 18 permitted to participate in the Genographic Project?
  
  
• Yes, but only with a parent's or guardian's consent. Children under the age of 18 are not permitted to purchase a Genographic Project Public Participation Kit. With the consent of a child's parent or guardian, the child may have his or her DNA sample analyzed to create a genetic migratory profile. ANY PERSON PURCHASING A KIT AND SUPPLYING IT TO A CHILD UNDER THE AGE OF 18 MUST OBTAIN CONSENT FROM THE CHILD'S PARENT OR GUARDIAN CONSENT PRIOR TO PERMITTING THE CHILD TO SEND IN THE SAMPLE FOR DNA ANALYSIS.
  
  
• REFUND POLICY
• Due to the cost of the DNA analysis, once the contents of the kit have been opened we cannot accept returns or administer refunds. These terms and conditions override the standard National Geographic return policy.