‘Whenever we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the universe.’ A quote by John Muir that recently came to my attention. More simply said everything is part from everything else. We occupy a beautiful planet, and what makes it so breathtaking is its diversity. The number of known living species on earth is approximately 8.7 million. The sad part is that this number is getting smaller every year and according to some sources we are in the middle of a sixth extinction event, caused directly or indirectly by human behavior [1]. Whenever a species goes extinct, it affects in one way or another everything around it. So what can we do to prevent this? How can we improve the conservation of those species? …show more content…
The problem with plants and DNA barcoding is that their lineages are relatively young and also plants often undergo hybridization and this makes the DNA barcoding much more challenging. Moreover, compared to animals their mitochondrial DNA evolves much slower and this is major obstacle for using it as a DNA barcode. In animals CO1 is used as a common DNA barcode, something similar seems impossible in plants. Instead in plants a combination of DNA markers is used, e.g. rbcL+matK barcode [5]. Plants, and specifically medical plants are endangered by overharvesting and the illegal market. In a recently conducted study it is shown that DNA barcoding is and remarkably useful tool for recognition of species compared to other already existing approaches (e.g. chromatography) because it requires only a small amount of material and can give accurate results of identification even from highly processed samples. This makes DNA barcoding a great approach for recognizing endangered species and tracing back the illegally traded material back to the sites of origin [6]. Another example of DNA barcoding in forensic analysis and its use in conservation could be found in a restaurant in Santa Monica, USA. With the help of DNA barcoding detectives managed to track whale meat back to Japan. Such forensic approach might help with tracking and controlling illegal trade and thus contribute to the conservation of species endangered by prohibited selling, e.g. whale meat or ivory from elephants. [7] Recently in Cyprus a DNA barcode database was given to the law enforcements in order to help them identify confiscated species (illegally trapped and served in restaurants), for the sake of protecting the endangered species from trappers
The COmbined DNA Index System (CODIS) is a computer software program that is operated and maintained by the Federal Bureau of Investigations, which allows law enforcement agencies to search and exchange DNA information. It was originally created in 1990 as a pilot software project that would allow 14 State and Local laboratories to communicate and share biological evidence data to aid in criminal case closure. Following the DNA Identification Act of 1994, the FBI established the National DNA Index System (NDIS) that currently serves over 25 countries in their own DNA Data banking initiatives (Federal Bureau of Investigations, 2010). NDIS, populated by many State DNA Index Systems (SDIS) and local DNA Index Systems (LDIS) provide a mechanism for cross checking previously disparate legal and judicial entities for serial criminal offenders (USA.gov, 2010).
Using PCR and Gel Electrophoresis to Determine Genotype. In certain situations, it is necessary to identify DNA retrieved from a sample. When there is a small sample in need of identification, Polymerase Chain Reactions are used to multiply the DNA. in the sample in many identical samples.
Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is an acclaimed extraordinary discovery that has contributed great benefits in several fields throughout the world. DNA evidence is accounted for in the majority of cases presented in the criminal justice system. It is known as our very own unique genetic fingerprint; “a chromosome molecule which carries genetic coding unique to each person with the only exception of identical twins (that is why it is also called 'DNA fingerprinting ')” (Duhaime, n.d.). DNA is found in the nuclei of cells of nearly all living things.
The repeat segments are cut out of the DNA strand by a restrictive enzyme that acts like scissors and the resulting fragments are sorted out by electrophoresis (Saferstein 391). However, there are some drawbacks using the RFLP method in the forensic science community. The RFLP technique requires a large amount of DNA and must be of high quality and cannot be degraded (Jones). Forensic scientists and the law enforcement community determined a need for a DNA profiling method that could be used on smaller DNA samples. Thus, the RFLP technique has been almost entirely replaced by Polymerase chain reaction.
On a day to day basis, most people take for granted the lives we get to live, and put too much value on the extra things such as materialistic items. Also, the majority of humans are too invested in their personal lives or with themselves that they do not look at the big picture of how what we are doing now will effect us later. As humans, the routines in our lives can bring us harm, and within time a we may become the sixth extinction. In “The Sixth Extinction” by Elizabeth Kolbert, she gives many examples of animals that are or may become extinct. Along with ways humans contribute to the effort of putting them in danger or having them become extinct. In the end having a summary of how this all comes together and impacts us humans in more
Saltus, Richard. "DNA Fingerprinting: Its A Chance Of Probabilties." The Boston Globe 22 August 1994: 25.
DNA, or deoxyribonucleic exists in all living organisms, is self-replicating and gives a person their unique characteristics. No two people have the same matching DNA. There are many different forms of DNA that are tested for situations such as criminal. Bodily fluids, hair follicles and bone tissues are some of the most common types of DNA that is tested in crime labs today. Although the discovery of DNA dates back to 1866 when Gregor Mendel proved the inheritance of factors in pea plants, DNA testing is relatively new and have been the prime factor when solving crimes in general. In 1966, scientists discovered a genetic code that made it possible to predict characteristics by studying DNA. This lead to genetic engineering and genetic counseling. In 1980, Organ was the first to have a conviction based off DNA fingerprinting and DNA testing in forensics cases became famous in 1995 during the O.J. Simpson trial (SMC History , 2011).
The collection of DNA in an investigation is used most often to determine who the perpetrator(s) might be in a crime. There has been a rapid growth since its inception and legal and ethical issues have arisen. In the Double –Helix Double-Edged ...
"Using DNA to Solve Crimes." U.S. Department of Justice: National Institute of Justice. (September 9, 2014). Web. 29 May 2015.
In The Diversity of Life, Edward O. Wilson reflects on how the living world became diverse and how humans are destroying that diversity. In the book’s preface, Wilson defines biodiversity as “the totality of inherited variation in all organisms in a selected area” (Wilson ix). He adds that modern technology will allow for us to find many new species that were previously unknown to be in existence.
Humans are destructive. Not a lot of us think about how what we do affects the world around us. We almost act like we are the only ones on this planet. We go around polluting and destroying our world with no regard for our actions. The things that live out in the wild are paying the price for it. Every day that passes there is another animal or plant that is placed on an endangered list. This is happening at an alarming rate. Because of man’s desire to expand and conquer their surroundings, there are animals and plants that are on the brink of extinction that will not be around for our kids and future generations to enjoy if something is not done about it now. This problem has been going on for hundreds of years. There are animals and plants that can only been seen in paintings or early photography. It is because of our early ancestors that we have this problem today and we have to do more to prevent more animals and plants from disappearing forever.
...ole in biological anthropology. Collecting DNA is in some ways easier than collecting whole blood, only needing a cheek swab. Biological anthropologists contributed to natural history museums for most of the history of the field, but today their collections go to molecular laboratories at universities and other institutions. Managing collected materials may be the next great challenge for biological anthropology.
Firstly, an amount of 40.90 g of NaCl was weighed using electronic balance (Adventurer™, Ohaus) and later was placed in a 500 ml beaker. Then, 6.05 g of Tris base, followed by 10.00 g of CTAB and 3.70 g of EDTA were added into the beaker. After that, 400 ml of sterilized distilled water, sdH2O was poured into the beaker to dissolve the substances. Then, the solution was stirred using the magnetic stirrer until the solution become crystal clear for about 3 hours on a hotplate stirrer (Lab Tech® LMS-1003). After the solution become clear, it was cool down to room temperature. Later, the solution was poured into 500 ml sterilized bottle. The bottle then was fully wrapped with aluminium foil to avoid from light. Next, 1 mL of 2-mercaptoethanol-β-mercapto was added into fully covered bottle. Lastly, the volume of the solution in the bottle was added with sdH2O until it reaches 500 ml. The bottle was labelled accordingly and was stored on chemical working bench.
This is in direct comparison to the Utricularia gibba, a carnivorous bladderwort plant, which was found to actively remove non-coding sections of the genome over generations being left with as low as 3% of their genome being non-coding (Hsu, 2013). Now the main question we must ask is with all the knowledge we currently have on genes and the proteins they encode, where exactly do we stand with annotating the non-coding genome? In 2005 the Encyclopaedia Of DNA Elements (ENCODE) was a project launched by the National Human Genome Research Institute which has developed many new methods for the annotation of the non-coding genome along with a range of other independent researchers which will all be explored in more detail later (Mortlock & Pregizer,
Barcodes are used everywhere around us. They are used to track products through shipment, track products at a store and speed up and enhance the checkout process, as well as allowing faster access to information. Barcodes began to be used heavily in the 1970’s. This began a great movement in the consumer industry, speeding up the checkout process and allowing easier inventory tracking. However, just like all technologies, barcodes have been enhanced many times over and are being replaced by better, more efficient systems (Bonsor).