Can ChatGPT Analyze Your Raw Data Zip file? Yes it can!

 When I was analyzing my new AncestryDNA ethnicity results I wondered if no calls could have affected my ethnicity results? Could the missing ethnicity be due to no calls? I asked ChatGPT that question. I was surprised when I got the answer that I could upload my raw data and check for no calls. I found out I only have 1.64% no calls. According to Chatgpt this is a low percentage of no calls and they are spread throughout my genome. This shouldn't affect my ethnicity results or matches. 

No calls look like this in your DNA raw data:

Zero Zero, instead of a letters, means they could not determine your genotype. It sounds like generally no calls are low and not a problem.

I decided to ask ChatGPT to analyze my DNA for more ancestry and health related markers. I've checked the markers at 23andMe to make sure they were reported by ChatGPT correctly. ChatGPT seems highly accurate, but you should confirm if a marker is of particular importance to you. I've also uploaded to Gemini AI, but found they didn't always report the genotype correctly (meaning AG, TT, etc.). 

 It can only give very limited information regarding ethnicity. ChatGPT relies on only a few markers for ethnicity related characteristics, such as skin color and hair texture etc.. It doesn't have a reference panel. It would need a reference panel to provide more ancestral information. 

Health information was more detailed. It searches the web for information about your health related markers. The information it provided about my Thyroid disease could prove very helpful. According to one genetic marker I might have a hard time processing the thyroid replacement hormone and may need to change my treatment. Since I have continuing symptoms this might help? 

Ancestral information from ChatGPT:

What the markers show (straight facts from your file)

These are the genotypes I found in your file for the 11 AIMs we checked:

• rs1426654 (SLC24A5) — AA — strongly European (light-skin associated)

• rs16891982 (SLC45A2) — GG — European-associated allele

• rs12913832 (HERC2/OCA2) — AA — European (eye-color) allele

• rs3827760 (EDAR) — AG — heterozygous for the East-Asian/Native-American-associated variant

• rs260690 — AC

• rs4891825 — AA

• rs4798812 — AG

• rs2065160 — AA

• rs4988235 (LCT) — AG — lactase persistence allele present (typical in Europeans)

• rs12203592 (IRF4) — CC

• rs2814778 (DARC / Duffy) — TT — not the African Duffy-null allele

Short interpretation of those genotypes:

• Strong overall European signal — multiple canonical European alleles are homozygous or present (SLC24A5, SLC45A2, HERC2, LCT). That fits a French / Northwestern European ancestry profile.

• One heterozygous EDAR (rs3827760 AG) — this is the interesting bit. The derived EDAR allele is common in East Asian and Native American populations and rare in most Europeans. A single copy (AG) suggests a small contribution somewhere in your ancestry that carries that variant — consistent with limited Native American or East-Asian-related ancestry, which is plausible in some French-Canadian pedigrees (due to historical admixture) or could come from other branches.
  — Important: one heterozygous EDAR does not imply large East-Asian ancestry; it’s just an informative signal that merits follow-up.

• No signals of significant recent African ancestry in the small marker set (rs2814778 not showing the African-null allele).

I definitely have Native American ancestry, so that information is correct. 

What ChatGPT Can Tell You About Your Raw DNA Data (information from ChatGPT on what it can do)

Beyond ancestry reports and trait predictions offered by these companies, AI tools like ChatGPT can help you interpret your data in fascinating ways.

1. Understanding Your Genetic Variants
Raw DNA data is essentially a long list of genetic variants, called SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms). Each SNP represents a small change in your DNA that can affect traits, ancestry, or disease risk. ChatGPT can help you understand what specific variants mean by explaining:

• How a particular SNP has been associated with health traits in scientific studies

• How common the variant is in different populations

• Whether it might contribute to certain traits like eye color, lactose tolerance, or even caffeine metabolism

2. Health Insights (With Caution!)
While ChatGPT can summarize research about genetic variants, it cannot provide medical advice or diagnoses. However, it can:

• Identify genetic markers associated with certain conditions, such as thyroid disorders, cardiovascular traits, or metabolic differences

• Explain the current state of research on a gene or variant

• Suggest areas you might discuss with a healthcare professional

It’s crucial to remember that genetics is only part of the story. Lifestyle, environment, and other factors often play a larger role than a single genetic variant.

3. Ancestry and Ethnicity Clues
Even though raw DNA files don’t come with polished ancestry reports, ChatGPT can help interpret markers linked to specific populations or regions. For example:

• Identify SNPs more common in Native American, European, or African populations

• Suggest possible regional connections based on genetic patterns

• Help you explore historical migrations reflected in your DNA

4. Traits and Personal Characteristics
ChatGPT can summarize associations between your DNA and non-health traits, such as:

• Hair color, eye color, and other physical features

• Taste preferences or sensitivities (like bitter taste perception or lactose intolerance)

• Sleep patterns or exercise response

5. Research and Curiosity
Your raw DNA is a powerful tool for personal exploration. ChatGPT can guide you in:

• Researching genes or variants you find interesting

• Comparing your genetic profile to published studies

• Exploring ancestry in a broader historical and geographical context

6. Limitations
It’s important to approach AI interpretations carefully:

• Not all genetic associations are strong or clinically relevant

• ChatGPT relies on publicly available research and cannot access private medical records

• Always consult a healthcare professional for medical concerns

Conclusion

ChatGPT can turn your raw DNA data into a source of insight and curiosity. From ancestry clues to understanding your genetic markers, AI provides a way to explore your DNA beyond what consumer testing companies offer. While it doesn’t replace professional medical advice, it opens doors to learning more about yourself, your heritage, and the science of genetics.

AncestryDNA Ethnicity Update 2025: Lessons from My Cousins’ Results

 Why My AncestryDNA Ethnicity Results Are Less Helpful Than My Family’s

My AncestryDNA ethnicity results have always been the least helpful of anyone in my family. I believe it’s because I’m more ethnically mixed than most of my relatives. I have some less common ancestry from Burgenland and Nicaragua, along with more typical Western European roots.

I do think it’s interesting to see how accurate AncestryDNA’s regional breakdowns have become. I know my ancestry going back at least a couple hundred years, and so far, I haven’t found any non-paternity events. I’m sure if I traced the lines further back, I’d eventually run into a few, which is why I expect the ethnicity estimates to reflect more recent ancestry. If they reflect ancestry from farther back, it’s harder for me to confirm whether it's accurate or not since I don’t have the documentation to support it. This is especially true when it comes to Irish genealogy — I can only trace those lines back a couple hundred years with records.

For someone who’s adopted, these ethnicity estimates can provide real clues about their heritage. They can also be useful for the descendants of enslaved people. If the estimates continue to improve in accuracy over time, they may become even more valuable for people in those situations. Personally, I already have a good understanding of my ethnic background, so these results aren’t critical for me.

In my experience, looking at the family trees of close DNA matches actually gives a clearer picture of your ethnic origins. These matches can sometimes pinpoint your ancestors’ exact towns or villages. You can look for recurring place names among your matches to help narrow things down. AncestryDNA Journeys is another tool that can point you in the right direction. Journeys are actually more useful for recent ancestry.

Paternal First Cousins Comparisons

So, why are my first cousin’s DNA ethnicity results more helpful than mine?

His results pinpoint the exact area where our paternal great-grandmother, Helen Mullen Mason’s, recent ancestors came from. They were all from Connacht, Ireland — specifically around Pollaturick, Milltown, Tuam, Co. Galway — for several generations before her birth. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to trace this branch of the family past 1800. Our Irish surnames include Mullen, McQualter, Huvane/Huane, and Rattigan. I do know that the Huvane/Huane name goes back quite far in the Kilvine area of Co. Mayo.

My paternal first cousin has 9% Connacht Irish ethnicity, which perfectly matches what we know about our great-grandmother Helen Mullen Mason’s background.

I have 2% ancestry from Connacht, along with a mix from other regions, and 9% from Leinster. That doesn’t seem to make sense. Perhaps I had ancestors from there further back in time, but since my cousins’ results are so different, I doubt it. We don’t share the exact same DNA segments, and even so, the Leinster percentage seems questionable. 

It appears some of my Leinster is from my mother's side, but the highest percentage is from my father's side. Ireland being a small island it's likely that I have ancestry that traces back to many areas in Ireland. The Leinster result isn't very useful if someone is looking for hints regarding more recent Irish ancestry. 

Here are the percentages for all 3 of my paternal first cousins who tested at AncestryDNA. All have a higher percentage of Connacht DNA. I have 2%. If I didn't know my ancestral origins already I might guess my Irish ancestors were recently from Leinster, Ireland. 

Why Does AncestryDNA Show Zero French or French Canadian DNA—Even Though We Have a French Canadian Great-Great-Grandfather?

One of the biggest surprises in our DNA results is that none of us show any French or French Canadian ethnicity on AncestryDNA, even though we know — without a doubt — that our great-great-grandfather was French Canadian. This isn’t a case of a misidentified ancestor or a non-paternity event. We've confirmed the connection through solid DNA matches on that line.

The first result in the row is my result, the second is my mother's. She has no French recent ancestry. The next three rows belong to my paternal first cousins. 

French Canada has been added to regions, specifically Quebec. None of my family members have this admixture. 

So, why is AncestryDNA missing this?

1. Ethnicity estimates are not exact

AncestryDNA ethnicity results are just that — estimates. They're based on comparing your DNA to reference panels of modern populations, and that means there’s always some margin of error or generalization. Labels like “French” or “Quebec” may not reflect exactly how your DNA is inherited across generations.

2. DNA inheritance is random

You inherit about 3.125% of your DNA from a single great-great-grandparent. Because of random recombination, it’s entirely possible that the small DNA segments you received from that French Canadian ancestor don’t contain markers that Ancestry identifies as French or Quebec-related. That doesn't mean the ancestry isn't real — it just didn't get passed down in a way that Ancestry’s algorithms detect.

3. Quebec is now a defined region — but you may not meet the threshold

AncestryDNA now includes a defined region for Quebec, which is a great improvement. However, not everyone with French Canadian ancestry will be assigned this region, especially if that ancestry comes from just one great-great-grandparent. The region tends to show up more clearly for people with multiple lines going back to Quebec, or more recent Quebecois ancestry. A single ancestor four generations back may simply not leave enough detectable DNA for Ancestry to flag the region.

4. French and French Canadian DNA overlaps with nearby populations

Genetically, French ancestry — especially from the early settlers of Quebec — often overlaps with populations in Belgium, Northern France, Western Germany, and even parts of the British Isles. French Canadian settlers came from various regions of France, many of which share DNA markers with other Western European populations, making it harder to isolate them as distinctly “French” in ethnicity reports.

5. Reference populations still have limitations

Even with the new Quebec region, Ancestry's ethnicity algorithm is only as good as its reference populations and sampling. While the database is growing, it may still lack the resolution to detect subtle French Canadian DNA in someone with limited recent ancestry from that region — especially if it's diluted over several generations.

---

So, while our great-great-grandfather was clearly French Canadian — and we have both the family records and DNA matches to support it — AncestryDNA’s ethnicity estimate doesn’t reflect that, and that’s not unusual. Ethnicity results can be interesting, but they’re only a rough sketch. For deeper insights, looking at shared matches, family trees, and regional migration histories usually tells a more accurate story.

The ethnicity results are much better than they were when these tests were first offered. They still aren't accurate enough to paint a complete picture of your ethnic roots.