Senator Elizabeth Warren recently shared results of a genetic analysis to back up her family story of Cherokee ancestry,

hoping to blunt a favorite Republican attack line.

The move backfired.

A DNA result does not confer a Cherokee heritage.

And in general, efforts to link our genetics with our ethnic or cultural identities have a long and sorted history.

So what's more revealing the results of DNA tests like

Warren's or what we try to find in them? This is Radio Atlantic.

With me in the studio today here in DC is a radio Atlantic veteran,

staff writer Sarah Zang.

Hello, Sarah.

Hi, Matt, it's nice to be back.

It's so nice to have you.

You've been doing wonderful coverage

of the scientific, cultural, political, personal dimensions of DNA testing which pertains to our

conversation here today and joining us by phone from Oklahoma is Rebecca Nagel, a writer, community organizer, and

citizen of the Cherokee Nation. Rebecca, thank you so much for joining us.

Thank you for having me.

It is our pleasure.

This week, neither of you will be surprised to hear, Senator Elizabeth Warren kicked off quite a fuss when she announced the results of a DNA test that she said

proved her Native American ancestry. Her claims of having a Cherokee ancestor had been ridiculed for a long time by President Trump

and other Republicans, and actually the President had challenged her about these claims at

a rally saying that if she could prove them, he'd give her favorite charity a million dollars.

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