The paper is basically on DNA finger printing and the science that goes behind it. It forst defines what this is all bout, it then gives the procedures of how it works. The paper further looks at the various applications of the technology and then how useful it is in the daily applications and why it is relevant
DNA Finger Printing
Techniques to retrieve DNA and the development of DNA probes have come up and made it possible the matching of DNA molecules to other DNA molecules to serve purposes like identification. This process has been incorporated into what is known as DNA fingerprinting.DNA fingerprinting is therefore a test for identification and evaluation of genetic information i.e. ones DNA. This technique is referred to as a fingerprint because two people cannot have exactly the same DNA information as it applies to fingerprints. The DNA structure of everyone's DNA is same the only difference is on the base pairs and hence the development of the different DNA sequences. The same DNA fingerprint exists on every cell, tissue and organ of an individual. No alterations can be made on a DNA fingerprint by any treatment that is known. For this reason DNA fingerprinting is rapidly becoming a commonly used method for the identification and distinguishing of human beings (WebMD, 2012).
How DNA fingerprinting works
When making DNA fingerprints there are several steps to be done in the laboratory. The isolation of DNA from a given sample is the first step in DNA fingerprinting. The sample can be blood, semen, hair or saliva even in the smallest proportion like a single hair strand or a drop of blood. This sample contains white blood cells that will be broken down DNA removed from them in a mixture of other cellular material. The second step is cutting, sizing and sorting of DNA that has been isolated. The DNA is the cut into small pieces by using special enzymes known as restriction enzymes at specific regions. The third step involves the transferring of the DNA to nylon, the DNA pieces are transferred to nylon sheets by being placing the sheets on a gel and soaking them overnight. The fourth step involves what is known as probing, this is the addition of radioactive or colored probes to the nylon sheet that will produce patterns that are known as DNA fingerprints. The final DNA fingerprint is build by using five to ten probes simultaneously (CliffsNotes.com, 2012).
The uses and applications of DNA fingerprinting
DNA fingerprints are very useful in several areas of the society. They are used by professionals in the health and even the justice system.
Diagnosis of inherited disorders
DNA fingerprints can be used in the diagnosis of disorders that are inheritable in prenatal as well as newborn babies in hospitals all over the world. Some of the disorders that can be diagnosed using DNA fingerprints are cystic fibrosis, hemophilia, Alzheimer's disease, sickle cell anemia among others. The early detection that is made possible by DNA fingerprints will enable the medical staff and the parents of the child to prepare for how the children will be treated. The .information from genetic fingerprints can be used by genetic counselors in helping prospective parents understand risks of having an affected child. Those who intend to be parents can also use information from DNA fingerprints to make decisions that pertain to affected pregnancies (Betsch, 2000).
Developing cures for inherited disorders
DNA fingerprints provide information for research programs that are involved in location of inherited disorders on chromosomes. When DNA fingerprints of relatives that have a history of a particular disorder are studied, or when comparisons are made in a large group of people that have particular disorder and those who do not have the disorder there can be conclusions made on the identified patterns that are associated with the disease that is in question. This is a crucial first step that has to be made in the designing of a genetic cure for these disorders (Betsch, 2000)
Personal identification
The fact that every organ or tissue of an individual has the same DNA fingerprint, then some governments have begun using programs for the collection of DNA fingerprints and storing them for later uses such as if there is need for identifications of individuals who are missing or casualties. This is particularly important when a body is badly decomposed or if only some body parts are available in cases of natural disasters or wars. The use of DNA fingerprints as proved to be more superior when compared to other strategies like blood typing or dental records that are currently in use. Therefore DNA fingerprints can be used as a genetic barcode to identify individuals (Betsch, 2000)
Forensic or criminal use
Police have begun to use DNA finger prints to link suspects who leave some biological evidence on a crime scene during their criminal activities. The evidence that can be used for DNA fingerprinting includes hair, semen stains or blood. They can also be used to prove whether a suspect was actually there at the crime scene or not.
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