The Pros and Cons of DNA Fingerprinting

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DNA fingerprinting is one of the greatest identification systems we have to-date to recognize an individual or living organism. Every living creature is genetically different in its own way, except in the rare case of twins, triples, etc. DNA is the serial number for living things, and is a combination of four nucleotides (thymine, cytosine, adenine and guanine). (Robertson, Ross, & Burgoyne, 2002) Each individual contains a unique sequence that is specific to that one organism.
There are many advantages to DNA Fingerprinting ranging from early detection of hereditary diseases to convictions of criminals. DNA evidence used during a criminal trial can be used both as means of convicting the guilty and exonerating the innocent. Unlike traditional fingerprints which can be surgically altered or self-mutilated, the DNA sequence cannot easily be changed once the material is left at a crime scene, thus increasing its effective use in forensics, and the probability of finding an exact match.
Further, DNA fingerprinting can also be used for the detection of hereditary diseases. However, th...

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