Welcome to Our Blog
Search Topics
- NPE 39
- DNA Surprise 38
- DNA 32
- DNA Discovery 28
- Adoption 22
- Direct to Consumer DNA 19
- Misattributed Parentage 18
- Adoptees 17
- Ancestry Testing 17
- Donor Conception 14
- Family Search 14
- Home DNA Test 14
- Medical Genetics 14
- 23andMe 12
- Genetic Counselor 12
- Podcast 12
- Biological Family 10
- Genetics 10
- DNA Test 9
- At Home Testing 8
- Family History 8
- Genetic Genealogy 8
- Sperm Donation 8
- DNA Shocks 7
- Genetic Counseling 7
- Raw Data 7
- Biological Father 6
- DNA Support 6
- Donor Conceived 6
- Genetic Testing 6
- Promethease 6
- ROH 6
- Alzheimer 5
- DNA Guide for Adoptees 5
- DNA Podcast 5
- Family 5
- Paternity 5
- Stem Cell Transplant 5
- Support Group 5
- DTC Genetics 4
- Egg Donation 4
- Family Health History 4
- Family Secrets 4
- GEDMatch 4
- Non-Paternity 4
- Research 4
- Resources 4
- Birth Parents 3
- Cousin Couples 3
- Not Parent Expected 3
Destinations podcast - Brianne and host Doni speak about support for NPE community
Doni is the creator of Culturs Magazine which celebrates people with cross-cultural identities; she has seen how the experience of ‘third culture’ people overlaps often with the NPE world.
Check out the episode to hear our discussion and understand more about the work I do through my writing and private practice, Watershed DNA. We talked about my book The DNA Guide for Adoptees and a little about my upcoming book on the topic of genetic identity. In our discussion, Doni also shared about her role in helping NPEs through the non-profit organization NPE Network.
Roots Summit to bring together community around DNA discoveries
Join speakers, researchers, professionals, and individuals impacted by misattributed parentage, NPE, adoption, and donor conception at Roots Summit 2024. Family members and support people are encouraged to join, as are professionals interested in learning more about the unique needs of individuals and families adjusting to life after an unexpected DNA discovery. Watershed DNA is an event sponsor and founder Brianne Kirkpatrick Williams will be available to meet with attendees at the Watershed DNA booth.
Research study seeking multiple family members’ perspectives on the impact of unexpected Direct-To-Consumer paternal DNA discovery
Researchers at University of Southern California’s School of Social Work) are enrolling multiple individuals in a family impacted by direct-to-consumer (DTC) DNA testing unexpected DNA paternity results. Researchers request the person most closely impacted by a DNA discovery (the parent or adult child) be the first to reach out to the research team with interest.
“Guidance for the Newly Discovered ‘Bio Dad’ and His Family”: Molly Corrigan Gives Voice to a Silent Group Whose Lives Change After a DNA Discovery
Podcast Ep 5: With the increasing popularity of at-home consumer DNA testing through companies like Ancestry.com and 23andMe, more and more men are finding previously unknown offspring. For a man with a wife and family, this discovery presents unique challenges, particularly if that newfound "child" is a grown woman.
More From Molly and the Father/Daughter DNA Match E-Book
Molly gave advice through her post to the biological fathers who were discovered by DNA testing and shocked to learn there was a child ‘out there’ they never knew about.
NPE Awareness Day - June 27th
NPE has become the term for a person who has discovered one or both parents is not genetically related to them, popularized by the first wide-spread NPE support organization, NPE Friends Fellowship. Many people introduce themselves or describe themselves as “I am an NPE” — this serves to connect NPEs and can be a way to help non-NPEs understand how disruptive the late discovery of misattributed parentage can be to someone’s identity.
New uncle confused by his sister’s reaction to her adult child’s discovery
I recently received an inquiry from the uncle of a newly-discovered adult adoptee who had searched and identified his biological mother via 23andMe. The question was why his sister (the birth mom) had at first been excited that her biological son had been found, but then changed.
Study invites those with a parental DNA discovery
Research into the experiences of people receiving unexpected results from DNA testing continues.
A new study based at Long Island University aims to explore parental identity experiences in greater depth, from a small number of adults who have taken a DNA test and received an unexpected discovery related to their own parentage.
Genetic counseling for stigmatized pregnancy conceptions
This is a post aimed at educating the professionals who work with people having DNA testing who are familiar with and in a position to share unexpected findings such as incest/high ROH. At the end, we offer a call-to-action. NOTE: Please proceed to the full post only if you are prepared to read about shocking topics including sexual trauma, DNA trauma, severe family dysfunction and abuse.
Genetic counselors: who we are and what we do
Have you or your family ever met with a genetic counselor before? Do you know one personally? Just like there are so many ways doctors and nurses and teachers apply their education and training, there are countless ways genetic counselors help.
How birth certificates and DNA testing help adoptees on a bio family search
Adopted and interested in starting a search? We’ve gathered more detailed information for you here and identified places to go for more. Two paths—the DNA-first route and the records-first route—are the main paths adoptees use today to begin a search for biological relatives.
WANTED: The thoughts and experiences of adoptive parents who opted for at-home DNA testing on their adopted child
Adoptive parents who have ordered direct-to-consumer genetic testing on their adopted children as minors are invited to participate in a research study. This research opportunity is time-sensitive, so learn more and reach out today.
Legislation changes in the U.S. mark watershed changes to donor conception
Read about the first U.S. state to pass a bill banning anonymous donation of gametes providing protections and other legislative changes providing new safeguards for those conceived with donor assistance.
Study aims to explore the experiences of those with surprise discovery about a parent
Research into the experiences of people getting unexpected results from a home DNA test is still in infancy. A new study based at McGill University aims to explore the experiences of consumer DNA testers who receive an unexpected result with implications to their own parentage.
Stigma, health, DNA, and adoptee rights: a discussion with Gabrielle Glaser about the changing landscape in America
On today's episode, Glaser talks with DNA Clarity and Support host Brianne Kirkpatrick about the history of coerced adoption in the United States and the influence of culture and stigma on women who in other circumstances might have chosen to parent rather than surrender their to the adoption system.
Got an unexpected medical genetic result? Share your experience with researchers
The Genomic Services Research Program (GSRP). A study for patients with unexpected genetic results.
Haiku Inspired by DNA
Creativity comes in many forms and is a powerful way to find healing. Today we share a free resource with you, a downloadable, printable e-book called Haiku Inspired by DNA. It has space to doodle and color while you read.
“Don’t lose sight of your why” — Diahan Southard on DNA Clarity and Support
In this episode, Brianne interviews author Diahan Southard, creator of Your DNA Guide, who brings a much-needed dose of enthusiasm to the talk about genealogy, a biological parent search, and DNA testing!
Solving crimes with DNA testing: understanding the basics with podcast guest J.C. Kenney
J.C. Kenney is the author a series of cozy mystery novels, one of which involves using DNA and genealogy to solve a murder cold case. You need not be a true crime fan or a DNA expert to learn from today's episode! The conversation with J.C. hones in on the highlights of DNA and crime investigation and is a great intro for those unfamiliar with investigative genetic genealogy, often shortened to IGG.
Michael and Amy Blair on DNA Clarity and Support
Michael's search entered a new phase when a consumer DNA test connected him to paternal DNA relatives. The up-and-down journey, the people he came to know along the way, and the new understanding he has of his parents are all documented in his memoir, I Had My Underwear on the Entire Time.