- It is a method that accurately infers the biogeography of worldwide individuals down to their village of origin. GPS correctly placed 80% of worldwide individuals within their country of origin with an accuracy of 87% for Asians and Oceanians.
- GPS is a sample-independent method that relies on a fixed set of reference populations to predict the individual’s geographical origin irrespective of the tested cohort.
- Geographic population structure analysis of worldwide human populations infers their biogeographical origins. There is a strong connection between genetic and geographic distances in worldwide populations with major deviations explicable by admixture or extreme isolation.
- Other potential applications:
- In genealogical research, it could help adoptees find their home region.
- In forensic research it could improve the assignment of ethnic (geographic) ancestry to DNA evidence.
- In personalized life-saving medicines.