Overview of DNA Testing
DNA testing is a fairly new type of scientific analysis that works to answer questions about the human body’s composition, functioning, history, and the causes of illness.
The most widely known type of DNA testing is those used to detect illnesses such as: Parkinson’s disease, Tay Sachs, Sickle Cell Anemia, Huntington’s disease, and Cystic Fibrosis. The results of the test are used to pinpoint the probability of a person developing these types of genetic conditions.
With the complexity of the DNA structure, it can be difficult for scientists to identify trouble areas and identify the culprits. This type of test is not perfected, however it becomes more precise and exact every year. It is possible through such research to determine if the cause of a disease is hereditary, to locate the exact gene that causes it, and then describe the exact process of the disease from a genetic view. Hopefully these discoveries can be used to devise ways to treat and cure diseases.
With the surge of interest in the field of genealogy, it has become popular to use DNA testing as a way to fill in the gaps left by traditional genealogy. It is now possible by ways of DNA testing to test two people for a common ancestry and determine, within a variable degree of accuracy, how far back they shared a common ancestor. There are numerous cases where little is known about the family lineage, making DNA the only way to make connections. Many ethnic groups throughout history did not have surnames, making it nearly impossible to locate and track their heritage. However, some changed their names, were separated from their families, or moved to different regions. DNA testing may be the only way to expose all the genealogical mysteries of the past.
DNA testing can also be used to determine paternity or maternity. It is quite easy to determine the biological parents of a child by examining the chromosomes that they inherited from their parents. This method is very accurate, supply8ing virtually foolproof method to determine information that sometimes causes highly-charged, emotional atmospheres.
The last type of commonly used DNA testing relates to forensic science. There is a wide variety of DNA tests that can be performed on various bodily fluids, assisting in identifying perpetrators or victims. Law enforcement world wide has benefited immeasurably by the advances in this type of technology. It helps not only to apprehend the criminal, but to protect the names of the innocent who are unfairly accused.
While DNA testing is fairly new, it has provided a vast amount of information in many different fields. It has been used to identify genetic conditions and the probability of developing a genetically passed disease, to determine lineage, to determine paternity or maternity, and to apprehend criminals and clear the names of the innocent.
