Brianna Lembach

Throughout time, there have been many questions left unanswered, “who committed the crime?” “Why did I get this disease?” “Who are my parents?” These questions remained unanswered until the invention of the DNA test. Law enforcement has been able to use DNA testing in assisting them solve crimes. With DNA evidence, criminals as well as victims have been identified. With DNA testing, parents are able to determine if a disease they have will be passed to their children. Testing can also identify if their family history has inherited disease that is not obvious but they should be aware of. With DNA testing paternity can be proved. Adopted children can possibly identify their birth parents. DNA Testing is an examination of the genetic code to identify a person.

Forensic science is the use of science with law. It has assisted in putting many criminals behind bars, and the solving of many crimes. DNA testing has given us more accurate results in the field of forensics. DNA finger prints are just like our own fingerprints, they differ for everyone. DNA fingerprints are made up of loci. Loci are groups of locations on the DNA. Through the processes of RFLP and PCR, DNA found at crime scenes can be very useful in solving crimes. RFLP is a DNA test that requires a large amount of DNA that is undegraded. It is sometimes more accurate than PCR, but is generally not used anymore. PCR is a DNA test that does not require as much DNA as RFLP and can even use samples that have been somewhat degraded. Unfortunately there is only one problem with the PCR test, because it is so sensitive it may pick up some contaminates form the crime scene, making it somewhat less accurate than the RFLP test. Thanks to DNA testing we have been able to put away many criminals, and on the rare occasion prove the innocence of some.

Our ancestry decides our genetic makeup. Genetics decides what hair, eye and skin color we have as well as many other things. It also decides whether or not we will develop any inheritable diseases. DNA tests may be able to help prevent or at least delay the onset of inheritable diseases. Most of these DNA tests are used to detect constitutional mutations. Constitutional mutations are inheritable diseases are mutations in the DNA strands. If a disease is discovered, medication, surgery or life style changes may be needed. Through these tests we are helping people with these inherited diseases live healthier lives.

Lastly DNA testing has been able to reunite families all over the world, no matter how far the distance. Adopted children have been able to find their birth parents through paternity and maternity tests. Paternity tests are tests performed to determine if an alleged father is the biological father. A maternity test is a test performed to determine if the alleged mother is the biological mother. Samples for the paternity tests are usually taken through a buccal swab. They are used by parents who want to receive custody, or child support. Paternity tests are usually very accurate, the results are even guaranteed. Through DNA tests we are giving individuals who have been searching for each other, the chance to finally meet.

Every day our technology is getting better. DNA testing is the future. No matter how hard we try to ignore it DNA is, and always will be part of our daily lives. DNA testing has been able to make our world a safer place, through RFLP and PCR tests. In addition to making our world safer we have also bettered the lives of those people who have either a chance or inherited a genetic disease. DNA tests have reunited families all over the world, making the world happier place for them. DNA testing has done so much good for our society already who is to say what it will, or won’t do for us in the future. We’ve only just begun.

~ by briannalembach1 on December 7, 2008. Tagged: DNA tests, hyperlink, images, video