
Why in News?
- The Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB) in Thiruvananthapuram is carrying out DNA fingerprint examination to identify the bodies of fishermen found from the sea after the Ockhi storm.
What is DNA fingerprinting?
- It is a technique, for identification of an individual by examining their DNA.
- DNA, or Deoxyribonucleic acid, is the basic building block of life.
Components of cells:
- This component in cells contains all the information about an organism and it also helps transfer the characteristics to the next generation.
- The DNA of each individual is composed of Bases [Adenine (A), Thymine (T), Guanine (G), and Cytosine (C)], Sugar and a Phosphate. Two bases link to each other using hydrogen bonds to form base pairs.
- Blood, bones, hair with root, saliva, semen, teeth, and tissue can also be used to study the DNA.
Uses of DNA Finger printing
– For criminal identification
– To resolve disputes of maternity /paternity
– To identify mutilated remains
– In cases of exchange of babies in hospital wards,
– In forensic wildlife (The arrangement of the nucleotides is unique to any living form (except identical twins) be animals, plants, or microbes.)
laws in India regarding DNA fingerprinting
- In July, 2017 the law commission of India drafted a Bill for the use and regulation of DNA-based technology called the Human DNA Profiling Bill.
As there are currently no legal mechanisms for identifying missing persons and victims of disasters, the new Bill seeks to regulate human DNA profiling and establish standard procedures for DNA testing