News Highlight
DNA Forensics Laboratory Private Ltd., accredited with the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL), says it tests 300 to 400 samples a month on private requests and court orders.
Key Takeaway
- More and more complainants are seeking DNA tests, a senior official associated with a government laboratory estimates such requests increasing by around 20% each year.
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)
- What?
- DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is the most basic genetic material found in the body cells of all human beings.
- It’s a chain of chemical compounds that combine to form permanent blueprints for life.
- It determines the behaviour, human and body character of an individual.
- It is a human hereditary material that no two people (besides identical twins) share.
- Structure
- DNA is a double-stranded molecule with a long nucleotide chain.
- Function
- The function of deoxyribonucleic acid is the transmission of genetic information. It acts as a medium for long-term storage.
- Location
- It is located in a cell’s nucleus and the mitochondria.
- Propagation
- DNA replicates on its own; it is self-replicating.
DNA Profiling Technology
- What?
- DNA profiling is the process where a specific deoxyribonucleic acid pattern, called a profile, is obtained from a person or sample of bodily tissue
- Even though we are all unique, most of our deoxyribonucleic acid is identical to other people’s DNA.
- However, specific regions vary highly between people. These regions are called polymorphic.
- Applications
- Identify the probable origin of a body fluid sample associated with a crime or scene.
- Reveal family relationships.
- Identify disaster victims.
- Issues with DNA Profiling
- Privacy issue: Sensitive genetic information of a person is exposed to another individual, and it is against human rights
- Security concerns – DNA databases holding DNA profiles.
- Lack of expertise – Leads to mishandling of samples
- Intermixing of samples – Corruption, tampering with evidence, misconception during labelling sample is possible
- Unreliable results – Instrumental errors also lead to unreliable results
- Prolonged contact to sunlight humidity mar leads to degradation of the sample.
The National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL)
- About
- The The National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) is an accreditation body.
- It is a Constituent Board of the Quality Council of India.
- Objectives
- NABL has been established to provide the Government, Industry Associations and Industry in general with a scheme for third-party assessment of the quality and technical competence of testing and calibration laboratories.
- What is Accreditation?
- Accreditation is the third-party attestation related to a conformity assessment body conveying the formal demonstration of its competence to carry out specific conformity assessment tasks.
Content Source: The Hindu