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By Shachi L.
DNA fingerprinting, also known as DNA profiling, is a fascinating field that uses intricate techniques in order to identify people solely based on their genetic makeup. This revolutionary method is used in today’s world to accurately identify anyone, and is mainly utilized in familial testing, medical research, and forensic sciences. There are countless applications to DNA fingerprinting, but there are also many costs and risks.
DNA fingerprinting is most notably used in the field of forensic science, where it has the ability to solve crimes by using suspects’ genetic makeup to identify and connect them to specific evidence found at crime scenes, namely if the suspect has left a biological marker on a piece of evidence. Fingerprinting can also be used to uncover a genetic link between people in paternity testing by comparing genes. In DVI, or Disaster Victim Identification situations, DNA fingerprinting can help identify victims taken by unfortunate events, bringing closure to loved ones. Overall, DNA fingerprinting has proved to bring people to justice, find a genetic link between people, and provide closure to grieving families.
There is a complicated and interesting process that a sample goes through when getting tested using DNA fingerprinting. First, the biological sample is collected, which can be any part of the body that is easily collectable. Next, the DNA gets extracted from the cells given by that sample. Then, by using PCr or polymerase chain reactions, a specific region of DNA is amplified. By using gel electrophoresis, each strand is separated by size and those groups of strands are then compared. The result of the gel electrophoresis is different for every person, making their DNA like their very own QR code. Then, to actually utilize these findings, they are compared to other samples of other people in order to study.
However DNA fingerprinting can also have its setbacks and risks. One major risk of DNA fingerprinting is the risk of contamination. DNA fingerprinting is not very well protected, causing many other foreign particles or other DNA to get mixed in with the sample being tested. Another concern is the cost; these experiments need very labor intensive resources and special equipment, causing the practice to be very expensive. Another setback is the ethical concerns that DNA fingerprints present. With this technology being able to be used by anyone, people’s privacy can be trespassed and one’s genetic information can be easily used for unethical purposes.
Overall, DNA fingerprinting is a revolutionary technology in this innovative world. It can help many people connect or get justice using forensic science and help identify people using only their genetic makeup. Although useful, it also has ethical dangers that have to be regulated in order to keep society functioning.
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