Genetic

Genetic trace

The genetic trace or map helps us tell the difference between two human beings and the applications are different: forensic medicine, paternity test, compatibility test for the organ donation or even to generate hypothesis about the migrations of the human beings in prehistoric times. To have access to the genetic trace it is very useful to provide families with a genetic ID that proves the relationship between parents and adopted children or to identify people without documents.

At the same time, the genetic map is helping investigations to fight illnesses such us genetic ailments, tumours, muscular dystrophy, or skin problems.

What is the genetic trace?

DNA contains all the information needed for the development of live organisms. Individuals from the same species share a big part of the DNA sequence, but there are certain regions highly variable that are specific of each subject. These areas of the genome are called polymorphisms or genetic markers and they are use for the identification of people, since it is very unlikely that two human beings not related to each other could share the same genetic markers. The group of polymorphisms specific of each person is known as genetic profile.

The individual genetic profile allows us to identify each person, except in the case of having a monozygotic twin brother, since in this case they share the same DNA sequence. The genetic profile characterizes each individual the same or even better than their own fingerprints, this is why it is called genetic trace. Its advantage is that is more precise than other identification methods. Also, DNA is found in each and every single cell of the human body, therefore it can be obtained from any biological sample. The genetic trace is invariable and unique along a person’s life.

The situations when doing this kind of study could be very useful, among those, we list some below:

  • To provide a standard (a reference) for the comparison and identification of people in high risk employment such as soldiers, firemen and policemen.
  • To have the genetic profile for the identification in case of an accident, fire or disaster.
  • To have the genetic profile for future paternity tests.
  • To identify adopted children or those conceived through IVF techniques with donated gametes. In these cases children do not share the genetic code of their parents, so the biological identification cannot be used on the DNA studies to be compared with the parents. To have the genetic trace taken is usually more useful in the circumstances mention earlier (accidents, kidnapping, fire, or situations when there could be doubts about the identification of a person).

Finally, as an alternative service to obtaining the genetic trace of an individual, his own DNA could be kept for future usage:

  • In the case of a genetic illness diagnosed.
  • Family genetic illnesses prevention.
  • Solution of paternity disputes.

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