Years ago, DNA testing was a rare concept one read in books and heard about in movies but not in real life. Today, DNA testing is becoming popular and recognized by nearly everyone. The popularity is due to the rise in applications for resolving child paternity disputes. Science has also contributed to the popularity through scientific concepts such as GMOs and genetics analysis and synthesis.
DNA testing is the core basis of different fields of study hence the fast growth and increased application. Nowadays, there are many reasons to conduct the test apart from paternity concerns. You can do them for research, tracing ancestry, testing predisposition to certain illnesses etc.
Here are some fields where DNA testing is necessary and beneficial.
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Table of Contents
What is DNA testing?
DNA testing, also called protein testing services, refers to the methods of testing a person’s DNA sample. The samples could be from sources such as fingernails, hair, and blood to analyze the sample’s structural genome. It is a critical process in tracing genetic connections between individuals.
DNA (Deoxy-Ribonucleic Acid) is a self-replicating molecule that contains one’s genetic traits and makes them unique for tracing a connection to another person. The analysis process involves using technologies that can read and interpret genetic materials in the sample.
Where can I get DNA testing services?
Some DNA testing organizations include independent laboratories, hospitals, drug manufacturing organizations, and other medical research institutions. It is also available in academic institutions such as universities and colleges. If you need any analysis, these institutions can help; however, they cater to their research needs and other large-scale DNA testing activities.
You can visit third-party and independent laboratories if you need testing for individual analysis, such as paternity tests and confirmations. Many reliable labs offer DNA testing Dallas TX; hence, conduct your own research before opting for such services. Moreover, ensure the institution operating these services has the relevant certification.
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Uses of DNA testing services
DNA testing services are ideal for various needs and reasons. Different academic and research fields require DNA testing to confirm different hypotheses. Here are some reasons to conduct DNA testing and some areas where DNA testing is standard.
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Archaeology
Archaeology studies fossils and remains; it can be plants, humans, and other non-living remains. It mainly focuses on retracing origin, indicating evolution, and providing evidence for the existence of different substances. Therefore, they need DNA testing for correlation purposes. Archaeologists can collect samples from different remains and test them in laboratories to try and find a connection or trace origin based on the genetic traits. From this test, they can communicate findings backed by evidence. DNA testing also helps them to communicate the migration patterns of different people, especially ancient human beings.
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Paternity testing
This is one of the most common areas where DNA testing is applicable. It is critical to resolve paternity issues to help resolve marriage-related conflicts. The test can help trace a child’s father by testing a correlation and similarity between the father and the child. It is the best way to determine a child’s father for curiosity or legal reasons. Paternity testing has been critical in helping courts resolve paternity issues.
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Applications in healthcare
As technology evolves, the levels of tests doctors can conduct on the born and unborn are increasing rapidly. DNA testing allows doctors to assess the unborn fetus for health complications before birth. This is significant to boost preventive care and ensure the fetus is healthy at birth.
It is applicable when doctors discover any genetic and non-genetic conditions in the mother that can affect the fetus at birth or lead to birth complications. With this knowledge, doctors will take the necessary preventive measures to try and protect the fetus. One of the most common applications is minimizing cancer risks to children.
Other applications include the use in treating certain genetic illnesses. After studying the genes, scientists eliminate certain DNA strands to remove the gene responsible for certain conditions. This leads to the elimination of certain diseases considered inherited. However, this application is still in the trial stages and unsuitable for human testing.
Pharmaceutical institutions study genetics and test DNA to understand how people respond to certain medications. The aim is to know how different people react to the same medicine; hence ideal for determining dosage and usage. It can also help formulate therapy guidelines to help the body acclimate to the drug and recover effectively.
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Criminal and justice application
There has been a rise in past cases undergoing review and the victims and samples subjected to DNA tests. The results are critical for tying the accused to the crime scene or not. DNA testing is essential for exonerating criminals and those wrongly accused. Moreover, it is an effective tool for the police department to provide factual evidence in courts without working with hearsay and false evidence.
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Applications in agriculture
Many people attribute the rise of GMOs to the advent and wide-scale usage of DNA services and testing. Genetic studies are critical for creating weather and disease-resistant crops. Scientists study the plants’ DNAs and then mix them with resistance genes to form a product that can survive the anticipated conditions. Creating crops that can grow through limited ideal conditions is also critical. They require little sunlight, humidity, water, and temperatures to grow.
DNA testing is also responsible for creating crops that can grow indoors with the help of limited growth conditions provided by artificial sources such as sunlight.
The procedure is also used in animal breeding to produce breeds resistant to certain conditions and have specific desired attributes. Scientists are currently experimenting with fish, rabbits, pigs, and other domestic animals.
Conclusion
There are many reasons one can conduct a DNA test; medical, criminal investigation, paternity testing, archaeological and other reasons. The bounds of DNA testing are not limited and will likely diversify and become more expansive in the future. DNA testing will be a critical part of the everyday lifestyle as it will serve as a fundamental source of facts and unbiased information.