Can DNA be used to tell a person's age.?
436210
Be careful; people can get away with huge lies, online.\n\nKenlas is referring to telomeres.  These are the ends of DNA strands (in chromosomes) which are not copied when cells divide  Each generation of cells has shorter telomeres.  It will not tell you how many years the person has lived, but it gives some info on how many times their cells have divided, so this gives a very approximate age.\n\nBTW, AFAIK the telomeres shorten because the DNA - copying complex in the nucleus needs to bind to a certain length of DNA to work, but is can only copy the sequence as it passes through the middle of the complex.  When it gets __ near __ the end, it falls off before it copies right __ to __ the end of the DNA.  So the daughter strand of DNA is slightly shorter than the one that was being copied.\n\nWhen sperm and ova are being formed, they have extra telomeres added (by telomerase) so the new organism starts off with a good set of telomeres.
822178
Technology is used in the field of genetics in that it is used to determine the DNA of someone and it is used to retrive the data on the databank of DNA.\n\nIt is always appropirate to conduct genetic testing to solve a crime.  Using any available resources to end crime has no downfalls.  A situation where it would be appropriate would be a rape case where there was DNA retreived from teh victim and matched the the perp\n\nDNA evidence is enough evidence to convict a person of a crime.  One reason is that DNA does not lie.  ANother reason is that everything else, including eye witness testimony, is influenced by outside factors.
1021829
Check their birth certificate.
1154963
"DNA" testing is not sequence testing.  DNA is made up of nucleic acids (A, C, G, T).  In typical testing, the sample (blood, saliva, hair, skin) is treated so that the DNA material within the cells are extracted.  However, to actually sequence it against a known sample would take ages (i.e. the human genome project).  What forensics testing does is actually subject DNA material to enzymes that make specific cuts in the DNA strands that result in "characteristic" fragments or pieces in the DNA (in regions with high inter-individual variability).  So when these fragments are identified, it is matched against others who may or may not have the same fragment patterns (i.e. 1 out of 20,000 people will have an identical pattern).
1136128
No its impossible. The DNA is completely different, and plus cloning was banned by the Geneva Convention a couple of years ago I believe. But if your like the other groups and you want to try it, have at it. But if you do clone it together, dont tell the press or you might just end up going to prison.
597016
Uses of DNA Fingerprints\n^^^^ ^^ ^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^\nDNA fingerprints are useful in several areas of society. They are used by professionals in human health and the justice system. \n\n-Diagnosis of inherited disorders \n\nDNA fingerprinting is used to diagnose inherited disorders in both prenatal and newborn babies in hospitals around the world. These disorders may include cystic fibrosis, hemophilia, Huntington's disease, familial Alzheimer's, sickle cell anemia, thalassemia, and many others. \n\nEarly detection of such disorders enables the medical staff to prepare themselves and the parents for proper treatment of the child. In some programs, genetic counselors use DNA fingerprint information to help prospective parents understand the risk of having an affected child. In other programs, prospective parents use DNA fingerprint information in their decisions concerning affected pregnancies. \n\n-Developing cures for inherited disorders \n\nResearch programs to locate inherited disorders on the chromosomes depend on the information contained in DNA fingerprints. By studying the DNA fingerprints of relatives who have a history of some particular disorder, or by comparing large groups of people with and without the disorder, it is possible to identify DNA patterns associated with the disease in question. This work is a necessary first step in designing an eventual genetic cure for these disorders. \n\n-Biological Evidence \n\nFBI and police labs around the U.S. have begun to use DNA fingerprints to link suspects to biological evidence -- blood or semen stains, hair, or items of clothing -- found at the scene of a crime. Since 1987, more than 150 cases have been decided with the assistance of DNA fingerprint evidence. \n\nAnother important use of DNA fingerprints in the court system is to establish paternity in custody and child support litigation. In these applications, DNA fingerprints bring an unprecedented, nearly perfect accuracy to the determination. \n\n-Personal identification \n\nBecause every organ or tissue of an individual contains the same DNA fingerprint, the U.S. armed services have just begun a program to collect DNA fingerprints from all personnel for use later, in case they are needed to identify casualties or persons missing in action. The DNA method will be far superior to the dogtags, dental records, and blood typing strategies currently in use.
73114
There is about a 1 in 10 billion chance that someone would have the same dna as you, unless you have an identical twin.  Scienctists don't like to say "never", but that's really close.
141218
In theory a DNA sample could be used to predict hair and eye color with reasonable accuracy, although we do not currently have a data base matching these phenotypes with allelic sequences.  However, when it comes to more complex morphological features (height, weight, shape of facial features, etc.), it would be virtually impossible to predict as the effects of environmental factors are enormous.\n\nWe do not currently have the ability to predict the conformation of a protein that would result from a particular sequence, and thus cannot determine the function except through direct experimental means or comparison with an identical sequence whose function has been experimentally determined.
496128
DNA can trace a long ways back. There are "markers" that persons of the same relation will carrying. one set of markers is for your mothers side and another from your fathers side. if i rememeber right the mothers side is a little eaiser to trace back. :)
69828
"If performed correctly, DNA testing becomes a powerful and impartial tool, able to correctly identify any perpetrator in crimes where there is relevant biological evidence. As the technology advances and is applied in appropriate cases before trial, the chances of convicting an innocent person, at least where identity can be proven through biological evidence, is greatly diminished."
1149155
I assume South Australia is doing what a lot of the states are here in the US.  They are storing the information in order to help solve crimes.  There have been SEVERAL cases in the states where old crimes have been solved based on what they call a "cold hit" with someone's DNA matching the crime scene evidence but had no other way of knowing it was that person (it is always re-tested to make sure).\n\nIt is also being used for solving future crimes in the same manner, when the crime scene DNA is entered, there may be DNA already in the system matching it.\n\nAt this point, at least in CA, only convicted felons' DNA is going on file (along with a few others under court order only).  So the average joe won't be in the system unless they were a victim or something like that.\n\nI don't believe it will be a public system, none in the states are.  I am not sure what good a genetic profile would do an average citizen, but none of the names of those individuals in the system is public here for privacy rights.  I would assume only law enforcement would have access.\n\nThe best way to find out is to contact your govt official, they should be able to tell you what the parameters of your law is.
695792
DNA profiling is used in courts of law to ascertain whether a person's DNA matches the DNA obtained from samples or pieces of legal evidence such as blood stains or hairs.  It also can be used to identify a crime victim or a child's biological parents, to determine whether two people have a common ancestor or in research (to study evolutionary relationships).\nhope i helped =)
1031609
I am an alternative medicinal therapist and an ex nurse. There should not be a health problem with a man this age. You would have a problem if you were 43. If your husband suspects that it is not his child he can ask for a DNA test to be performed. Many people have the same blood group but this type of testing has never been full proof, nowdays they use genetic printing -DNA. Just be carefull how you handle this. \n\nGloria(BSYA)\ngloriashealth@btinternet.com
397119
I think analyzing the information in DNA has come along way.  This information can be useful for numerous advances in medicine, one being determining ones predisposition of developing certain diseases.  This analysis can take quite a long time but researches are currently working on ways to speed this up, hopefully to less than 1 day.  You can see this article in New Scientist for a further information.  http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn9001&feedId=online-news_rss20
1082706
With todays DNA testing the answer must be Yes !\n\nAnd when it comes back of course you can ... everyone needs a hobby.
953794
Simply DNA is an organic computer program which contains all of the information to grow an organic creature, such as mice, worms and humans.\n\nDNA is all but as individual as you are, so DNA can be used by forensic scientists to narrow down the search for the perp in a murder enquiry.\n\nDNA (if read) can provide much information:\n\napproximate height, hair colour, ethnicity, eye colour, approximate age, etc...
1151978
Try this\nhttp://www.globalonlinesvcs.com/DNA_Testing.html