DNA is ever-more-frequently in the news. Today's "Ask Amy" column in the Star-Tribune included advice about how to deal with a newly-discovered half-sister. The following response came from Richard Hill, who was one of the first adoptees to find his birth family through DNA testing: While news of an unexpected relative can be shocking at first, many people are thrilled to discover siblings later in life. I have found that almost everyone involved will ultimately draw one or more of the following conclusions:

1. Knowing the truth is better in the long run.
2. Events that happened decades ago are merely history, and not scandal (especially true when the parents are deceased).
3. No matter what anyone thinks about the actions of the parents, the siblings did nothing wrong

...contact your sister to say, "According to my DNA results on the (name of test), you and I are related. If you've received the same result and are interested in getting in touch, here is my contact information." Because some people have done more than one DNA test, it's important to mention the name of the test on which the match occurred. For more information about Hill and his books, go to dna-testing-adviser.com. (Hill also posts the latest best prices on recommended DNA tests.)