DNA Technologies

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Recommended: An essay on the biological role of DNA

The structure of DNA was discovered in 1953 and revealed to the world by James Watson and Francis Crick.1 Since then, there has been a whirlwind of activity and discovery in the fields associated with DNA. We have found that DNA is not only a set of instructions for the body, but that it also contains a lot of information about the individual who “owns” the DNA. As it is rapidly becoming cheaper and easier to process DNA, it is becoming more difficult to make sure that there is adequate legislature to protect members of society.

Most genes are actually shared by all of humanity. In fact, 98% of human DNA is also shared with chimpanzees.2 However, some repeating units are unique and they can tell us much information about the individual the DNA came from. Many things can currently be determined from DNA. These include physical characteristics like gender, hair colour, and eye colour, and non-physical characteristics like the chance that individual has of developing, or passing on to children, diseases such as breast cancer, Huntington’s disease and cystic fibrosis.3 Technology has improved so much that eye colour group (light, dark or hazel) can be predicted with 97% accuracy.4

DNA profiling is a technique in which a sample of the unique part of DNA is taken, cut using restriction enzymes and separated by size using gel electrophoresis. Gel electrophoresis is where an electric current moves DNA strands through agarose gel towards the positive electrode. This makes a “DNA fingerprint”. (See Figure 1.) DNA profiling has a number of uses including paternity and kinship tests as well as in forensic science to solve crimes. In Victoria, the law allows the collection of DNA samples of convicted criminals and suspects. These DNA profil...

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...hat are unique to an individual. As technology is developing so fast, it is important that people in authority, for example judges and politicians, make sure that there are laws in place that protect the rights and safety of citizens in terms of how their DNA information is used and stored. They also need to make sure that they consider DNA as a piece of evidence that is usually very reliable but also has its limitations and exceptions and can never be 100 percent accurate. The general public can now get their DNA fingerprints made as a piece of artwork. As this is so easy and fairly inexpensive, people need to be aware of any implications this could have. For the most part, it would be harmless and an unusual item to own, however, people should make informed decisions when it comes to their personal details, including their DNA, now and even more so in the future.

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