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What does DNA stand for?
DNA stands for Deoxyribonucleic Acid and DNA molecule carries the genetic information
necessary for the organization. It is functioning of most living cells and
controls the inheritance of characteristics. Each person's DNA is
determined at conception when a sperm cell fertilizes an egg cell
producing a zygote.
The DNA of a person is identical throughout a
person's body. All human cells (except red blood cells) contain DNA. The
DNA is determined at conception and does change throughout the life of
an individual. All persons formed from a unique zygote have a unique DNA
structure.
DNA Fingerprinting
The chemical structure of everyone's DNA is the
same. The only difference between people (or any animal) is the order of
the base pairs. The human DNA code (genome) contains 3.1647
billion chemical nucleotide bases (A, C, T, and G) or base pairs. Scientists use
a small number of sequences of DNA (about 0.1%) that are known to vary among
individuals a great deal, and analyze those to get a certain probability
of a match.
Practical Applications of DNA Testing
Genetic Testing Laboratories in US?
This section identifies the selecting laboratories
for genetic testing for each individual state. The Personal
Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 requires
States to use genetic tests to resolve paternity disputes at the request
of any party in a contested case. Federal regulations also mandate that
the State agency identify and use laboratories that perform at
reasonable cost, legally and medically acceptable genetic tests that
tend to identify the father or exclude the alleged father.
Contact Information
Child Support Enforcement Contact Information
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