The Process Behind dna fingerprinting
To start with DNA fingerprinting you might want to know what is DNA first. DNA is a molecule of chemicals and materials which function as a text recipe for life. DNA is made up of a backbone, along which four different compounds called “bases” alternate. The varying sequence of these bases encodes instructions for like a four-letter alphabet. These instructions for the assembly of a life form roughly say, “Make this much of that stuff and put it there at this time.” The full recipe of one life form is called a “genome,” and the individual recipes for different components of a life form are called “genes.”
DNA fingerprinting is a way of identifying a specific individual, rather than simply identifying a species or some particular trait. It is also known as genetic fingerprinting or DNA profiling. As a technology, it has been around since at least 1985, when it was announced by its inventor, Sir Alec Jeffreys. DNA fingerprinting is currently used both for identifying paternity or maternity and for identifying criminals or victims. There is discussion of using DNA fingerprinting as a sort of personal identifier as well, although the viability of this is debatable. But DNA fingerprinting, when used for forensic science, makes use of probes that target regions of DNA that are specific to humans, thus eliminating any possibility of contamination by extraneous DNA from bacteria, plants, insects or other sources.
The entire genetic information of an individual is called genome. Genome contains the DNA sequence, which has both coding and non-coding genes. The DNA sequences of humans are 99% similar in every individual. However the other 1% is what makes each one of us unique. This 1% sequence mainly has specific codes that repeat itself throughout the sequence. These are sort and varied sequence, and are known as VNTRs (Variable Number of Tandem Repeats). The frequency and position of these repeats vary greatly from one individual to the other. DNA fingerprinting uses such VNTRs from an unknown DNA sample to compare and match with the known.
The DNA alphabet is made up of four building blocks – A, C, T and G, called base pairs, which are linked together in long chains to spell out the genetic words, or genes, which tell our cells what to do. The order in which these 4 DNA letters are used determines the meaning (function) of the words, or genes, that they spell.
But not our entire DNA contains useful information; in fact a large amount is said to be “non-coding” or “junk” DNA which is not translated into useful proteins. Changes often crop up within these regions of junk DNA because they make no contribution to the health or survival of the organism. But compare the situation if a change occurs within an essential gene, preventing it from working properly; the organism will be strongly disadvantaged and probably not survive, effectively removing that altered gene from the population.
Genetic fingerprinting can help us to predict our future health. DNA fingerprinting is often used to track down the genetic basis of inherited diseases. If a particular pattern turns up time and time again in different patients, scientists can narrow down which gene(s), or at least which stretch (es) of DNA, might be involved. Since knowing the genes involved in disease susceptibility gives clues about the underlying physiology of the disorder, genetic fingerprinting aids in developing therapies. Pre-naturally, it can also be used to screen parents and for the presence of inherited abnormalities, such as Huntington’s disease or muscular dystrophy, so appropriate advice can be given and precautions taken as needed.
DNA fingerprinting is a way of identifying a specific individual, rather than simply identifying a species or some particular trait. It is also known as genetic fingerprinting or DNA profiling. As a technology, it has been around since at least 1985, when it was announced by its inventor, Sir Alec Jeffreys. DNA fingerprinting is currently used both for identifying paternity or maternity and for identifying criminals or victims. There is discussion of using DNA fingerprinting as a sort of personal identifier as well, although the viability of this is debatable. But DNA fingerprinting, when used for forensic science, makes use of probes that target regions of DNA that are specific to humans, thus eliminating any possibility of contamination by extraneous DNA from bacteria, plants, insects or other sources.
The entire genetic information of an individual is called genome. Genome contains the DNA sequence, which has both coding and non-coding genes. The DNA sequences of humans are 99% similar in every individual. However the other 1% is what makes each one of us unique. This 1% sequence mainly has specific codes that repeat itself throughout the sequence. These are sort and varied sequence, and are known as VNTRs (Variable Number of Tandem Repeats). The frequency and position of these repeats vary greatly from one individual to the other. DNA fingerprinting uses such VNTRs from an unknown DNA sample to compare and match with the known.
The DNA alphabet is made up of four building blocks – A, C, T and G, called base pairs, which are linked together in long chains to spell out the genetic words, or genes, which tell our cells what to do. The order in which these 4 DNA letters are used determines the meaning (function) of the words, or genes, that they spell.
But not our entire DNA contains useful information; in fact a large amount is said to be “non-coding” or “junk” DNA which is not translated into useful proteins. Changes often crop up within these regions of junk DNA because they make no contribution to the health or survival of the organism. But compare the situation if a change occurs within an essential gene, preventing it from working properly; the organism will be strongly disadvantaged and probably not survive, effectively removing that altered gene from the population.
Genetic fingerprinting can help us to predict our future health. DNA fingerprinting is often used to track down the genetic basis of inherited diseases. If a particular pattern turns up time and time again in different patients, scientists can narrow down which gene(s), or at least which stretch (es) of DNA, might be involved. Since knowing the genes involved in disease susceptibility gives clues about the underlying physiology of the disorder, genetic fingerprinting aids in developing therapies. Pre-naturally, it can also be used to screen parents and for the presence of inherited abnormalities, such as Huntington’s disease or muscular dystrophy, so appropriate advice can be given and precautions taken as needed.
pros
Having DNA on file could help solve crimes without any doubt and likewise set innocent people free. DNA fingerprinting also enables people to prevent disease through medical intervention and lifestyle changes and gives the chance for people to prepare for possible illnesses.
People fighting in favor of DNA fingerprinting argue that matching fingerprints by sight involves judgment, skill, and training. Although it is extremely reliable when done properly, there has to be error of margin associated with analyzing fingerprints by sight. Based on these accusations, DNA fingerprinting should be more accurate.
People fighting in favor of DNA fingerprinting argue that matching fingerprints by sight involves judgment, skill, and training. Although it is extremely reliable when done properly, there has to be error of margin associated with analyzing fingerprints by sight. Based on these accusations, DNA fingerprinting should be more accurate.
cons
There are many ethical issues concerning DNA fingerprinting. DNA is a blueprint of the make-up of one's body, and whether or not it is fair to keep such sensitive material on file has been debated.
Discrimination could occur in many forms. People may be rejected from certain health care if his DNA reveals something about him or a minority may be discriminated against if people who are closely associated with his DNA are more frequently in trouble with the law.
Another issue at hand is consent. It should be an individual's choice to undergo genetic fingerprinting. If a child has his DNA fingerprinted during his youth, he may not want such information on file once he is an adult.
DNA fingerprinting is not necessary in the minds of many who think basic fingerprinting works with great accuracy. Joseph Polski, chief operations officer for the International Association for Identification, was quoted in the Washington Post as saying, "experts are highly accurate at comparing ridge endings, bifurcations and intervening ridges between two sets of fingerprints and determining whether they match."
Discrimination could occur in many forms. People may be rejected from certain health care if his DNA reveals something about him or a minority may be discriminated against if people who are closely associated with his DNA are more frequently in trouble with the law.
Another issue at hand is consent. It should be an individual's choice to undergo genetic fingerprinting. If a child has his DNA fingerprinted during his youth, he may not want such information on file once he is an adult.
DNA fingerprinting is not necessary in the minds of many who think basic fingerprinting works with great accuracy. Joseph Polski, chief operations officer for the International Association for Identification, was quoted in the Washington Post as saying, "experts are highly accurate at comparing ridge endings, bifurcations and intervening ridges between two sets of fingerprints and determining whether they match."
Ikran