Legal Aspects of DNA Fingerprinting

2004 Words5 Pages

Does DNA fingerprinting and modern genetic research encroach on the rights of the dead? Introduction: DNA fingerprinting and modern genetics are used to help historians, palaeontologists and archaeologists to research the evolution of mankind. The question that comes to mind is whether or not dead people have any rights when it comes to research. What is DNA fingerprinting? DNA fingerprinting is a way of getting a person’s identification. This is shown in Figure 3 on page 4. One can extract DNA from hair, nails, blood, skin or even saliva. It was first used to discover genetic diseases but now is also used to help catch criminals or research the dead in order to unlock the evolution of mankind. Facts about DNA fingerprinting: • Sir Alec Jeffrey discovered DNA fingerprinting on accident on September 10th 1984 • DNA fingerprinting doesn't have much to do with actual fingerprints, but it refers to the fingerprint of someone's DNA, which is unique to themself. • It was made famous when prosecutors used it to accuse O.J. Simpson to a double murder. • Some people, called chimeras, have different DNA in different cells. • DNA fingerprinting can be used in paternity testing to find out who the father of a child is. Without this, fathers could leave their children, and not have to pay fees. • Only one sample is needed for a person's DNA, unless they are chimeras. • It is possible for the DNA to become contaminated. • The chances of a mismatch happening was improved from one in fifty million to one in a billion. Now it is used in maternity tests, personal identification and forensic science. DNA fingerprinting would allow a scientist or any qualified worker to match the DNA of any person. All the worker w... ... middle of paper ... ...nary, 8th edition. © 2009, Elsevier;http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/DNA+fingerprinting; 5/12/2014 • http://jdutchstevens.tripod.com/id5.html • http://www.dnalc.org/resources/aboutdnafingerprinting.html • Facts were found at https://sites.google.com/site/dnafingerptinting/tasks • The Guinness Encyclopedia New Edition;1995; Modern genetics: • The Problems and Possibilities of Modern Genetics: A Paradigm for Social, Ethical, and Political Analysis; July 5, 2011; Eric Cohen and Robert P. George; http://www.brookings.edu/research/papers/2011/07/05-genetics-cohen-george; 5/12/2014 • wikipedia ;http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genetics; 5/12/2014 • How is DNA profiling used in conservation and evolutionary studies;https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20081111194824AANbIze • http://knowgenetics.org/dtc-genetics-pros-and-cons/

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