Pennington Research Association

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Plan to Conduct a DNA Study

 November 25, 2000

Submitted by

Gene Pennington, 

Research Director

Introduction

A proposal to conduct a DNA Study by the Pennington Research Association was submitted to the Executive Board at the July, 2000 annual meeting.  The Board approved the DNA Study in concept but delayed final approval until a more detailed report was submitted by the Research Director.  The report was due by January 1, 2001.

This plan is the report on the DNA Study and will provide more detailed information for the Board and members so they are as well informed as possible.

This plan outlines the major portions of the DNA Study and attempts to answer some of the questions raised about the DNA Study to date.  (Note:  Click here to read the details of the DNA Study).

Purpose

The purpose of the initial phase of the study is to define the several family groups of the PRA by their Y chromosome signature, with the expectation that there are only a few common ancestors, but most likely more than one. Although this purpose does not include providing analyses to individual tissue donors, volunteers will receive a confidential report unless they specify otherwise.

Objectives

• To recruit several volunteer Pennington Research Association members to participate in the DNA Study
• To analyze the Y chromosome of the several volunteer Pennington Research Association members  
• To draw conclusions about which of the family groups share common ancestors.
• To clarify the lines of descent of the Pennington family and all its branches.
• To design future research based on the findings of the first stage

How the DNA Study Will Work

Procedures

1.    The initial study will be funded by volunteer donations, and is restricted to members. (Pennington descendant husbands of members qualify as associate members.) After completion of the initial study, any person may submit a tissue sample for analysis at his own expense.

2.    Volunteer participants are asked to pay for their own Y chromosome analysis. The cost will be $200 per analysis. 

3.    The names of volunteer participants will not be released in any form, and will not be known to any person except the director of the study. Published Y chromosome analyses will show only a code for each person analyzed, their family group number, and the corresponding analysis.

4.    Volunteers will be supplied with a kit for obtaining a tissue sample. The kit will include a page for personal information. Volunteers must provide their family group number.

5.    A number of steps will be taken to preserve the anonymity of volunteer participants.  Because volunteers are being asked to donate the cost of their analyses, there may be a few instances in which absolute anonymity cannot be guaranteed.

6.    Volunteers will be asked to indicate if they would contribute their contribution toward analysis of an underrepresented family group if their own group’s analysis appears to be unequivocal. If there are several volunteers from any one group, two analyses will be performed from that group first, and further analyses depending on circumstances.

7.    When results are obtained from the first round of analyses, the Research Group will decide on the direction of further research.

Forms

Two forms will be used in the DNA Study.  They are:

• Volunteer DNA Tissue Donation Form
• Cash Donation Form

Confidentiality

A number of steps will be taken to protect the privacy and anonymity of volunteer participants. The names of participants will not be known to any person except the project director. (A backup copy of data will be maintained to prevent accidental loss, as is done with all PRA materials.)

Published Y chromosome analyses will show only a code for each person analyzed, his family group number, and the corresponding analysis. However, in contrast to a fully funded study, volunteers are asked to contribute the cost of their analyses, and should therefore be entitled to receive their personal results if they wish. This may give rise to situations in which absolute anonymity is difficult to maintain if individuals publicize their own results.

The PRA will not release names of participants in any form.

Financial

Budget

At the Syracuse reunion it was voted to support the DNA project with $1000.00 from the PRA treasury. 

Total advance will not exceed $1000.00.  Should expenses exceed advance and collections, the project will be halted, pending future Board action.

Cost for Each Analysis

$200 to have a Y chromosome analysis performed  (NOTE:  This amount has been lowered to $148 plus $2.00 S&H as of 9/5/06).

Cost for Reports

The cost for a report is included in the Y chromosome analysis.

Other Expenses

Other expenses include mailing, postage, office supplies and telephone expenses and will be paid from the $1,000 provided by the Pennington Research Association.

Sources of Revenue

• Each volunteer will pay for their own analysis.  They will submit the $200 analysis fee with their participation form.  (NOTE:  This amount has been lowered to $148 plus $2.00 S&H as of 9/5/06).
• Cash donations will also be solicited to help pay for additional analysis (if needed) and future research.

Net Cost to the Pennington Research Association

A maximum of $1,000 has been set by the Board for this year.

Procedures

These procedures have been established by Al Mathews, Treasurer, Pennington Research Association.

• The DNA Study will be handled in a manner similar to "reunion advances".

• The study is entirely voluntary.  The volunteers will pay for the cost of their DNA analysis themselves.  Each analysis is estimated to cost $200.  When a person wants to participate in the DNA Study, they will complete a form and send it and the $200 directly to John.  Once the funds have been received and deposited, then they will be sent the material and information for the study and analysis.

• PRA treasurer will provide DNA coordinator a one time advance of $1000.00.  DNA coordinator will establish a checking account and have complete control of it.  He will collect funds and pay all expenses from his checking account, subject to PRA accounting.
• Annual DNA financial report must be submitted at the next reunion, along with all paid receipts for that period, copy of bank statements, and cancelled checks, etc.  That way should the DNA project last several years, its accounting should coincide with the PRA treasurer's records from year to year. The Pennington Research Association Treasurer will submit a brief interim report each quarter to the Executive Director.

Critical Dates 

• Plan to Board by December 1, 2000
• Motion to approve and implement the DNA Study by December 15, 2000

• Final article with forms to Editor of Pennington Pedigrees by January 1, 2001

• Start DNA Study by February 1, 2001

Page Last Updated:  05/12/2008

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