Meet sample SW–001
A fictional ancestry company analyzed this person's autosomal DNA and returned the following estimate.
What does “42% Iberian” mean?
Choose the interpretation you think is most scientifically accurate.
In plain language: the company analyzed many regions across the genome. Across approximately 42% of the analyzed autosomal DNA, the model found the strongest supported similarity to its Iberian reference population.
How was the estimate created?
The company does not find “Iberian DNA” written inside the genome. It performs a chain of comparisons.
SW–001 provides a set of genetic variants sampled across the chromosomes.
The model examines many overlapping regions rather than treating the genome as one block.
Each segment is compared statistically with DNA from people in reference groups.
The closest model-supported similarities are summarized as percentages and names.
Change reference coverage
The genome remains locked. Change how well each population is represented and observe the effects on label resolution and uncertainty.
Sample SW–001 and its underlying simulated ancestry never change during this experiment.
Reference coverage: a teaching summary of sample number, diversity, quality, and suitability—not raw sample count alone.
Read the model output
Specific labels require suitable reference coverage; weaker coverage produces broader labels and wider uncertainty.
The displayed ranges are illustrative, not calculated confidence intervals. Each population range is considered separately, so range endpoints are not expected to sum to 100%.
Compare the last four analyses
Each frame preserves its reference-coverage profile and resulting level of resolution. New analyses replace the oldest frame.
Build a scientifically accurate interpretation
Complete the sentence using what you discovered.
“In this analysis, the model estimated that approximately 42% of the analyzed autosomal DNA was most consistent with genetic patterns in its Iberian reference population. This suggests genetic connections to populations represented by those samples, but it does not identify the exact number, identity, culture, or residence of my ancestors.”
✓ What the result can indicate
- Genetic similarity to sampled reference populations
- Possible connections to populations represented in the database
- Patterns that may support other genealogical evidence
× What the result cannot establish
- The identity or location of every ancestor
- An exact percentage of ancestors from a population
- Nationality, culture, ethnicity, or community membership
- One permanently correct ancestry percentage