Interested In DNA Testing?
The subject of DNA testing has become one of great interest over the last several years. Because the human body is dependent on DNA, testing has become a topic over which much investigation has been done. DNA testing is used in the fields of paternal testing, crime scene investigation, and the cloning of animals. The strands of our DNA are made of very small building blocks. A strand of DNA would appear long, thin, and would take the shape of a double helix (see attached photos of 3D DNA). Our human bodies are dependent on DNA. DNA controls the inheritance of our physical traits and is found in our body's cells. It determines our hair and eye color as well as many other physical characteristics.
Every part of the human body has cells which each hold a sample of our DNA. Red blood cells, however, do not contain DNA. When blood type is determined, it is done so by examining white blood cells. DNA contains info that our cells are able to read. The code for a gene is passed through sperm and the egg into the offspring. Extensive research has revealed that variations of DNA can be used to identify people. There are two basic forms of forensic DNA testing - RFLP and PCR. RFLP calls for larger amounts of DNA and this DNA must be in its purest form (no contamination). For example, RFLP testing is not as useful on crime scene data that is not new. PCR testing can be used on a smaller sample of DNA. Because RFLP allows for a small amount of contamination, it is more prone to error than RFLP. DNA testing is of particular interest for those in the scientific field. It has been quite useful in the field of parternity testing, as well as cloning. The University of Florida, along with countless other institutions has installed software that will allow for confidential DNA testing. DNA testing is directly involved in the cloning of animals through a technique called nuclear transfer. At this time, many scientists believe that to clone a human would be unethical and too dangerous. Topics related to DNA testing are vast, but the more researchers uncover, the further this field will develop. |
