|  | Public Health Safety | Medical Research

Why Is DNA Testing Good?

DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, is a chemical involved in the storage of genetic information. DNA tests are a very specific method of identifying an individual. This is useful in criminal cases as DNA evidence is often used to free prisoners who have been wrongfully convicted of committing crimes. DNA tests also provide genealogical information, which can help a person learn who their ancestors are. DNA testing also allows a person to know about diseases they are at risk for, so they can modify their lifestyle to reduce the chance of getting sick.

  1. Immigration

    • The United States immigration process asks immigrants if they have other relatives living in the United States. Immigrants to the United States do not always have legal documents proving that they have a biological relationship to United States citizens. The State Department allows immigrants to submit DNA samples which are used to prove that an immigrant is related to current United States citizens when the immigrant does not have other legal documents necessary to prove their relationship.

    Paternity

    • DNA testing also provides evidence of paternity. The government can require child support payments to make a father support his children if DNA proves he is the father. A man can also use DNA test results to prove that he is not the father of a child, to contest a child support obligation.

    Disasters

    • DNA testing identifies the victims of natural disasters and military attacks. Bodies are not always found in recognizable condition, especially if some time passes. A DNA test does not need a large amount of material to clearly identify an individual. After the World Trade Center attack, DNA testing was very useful in identifying the victims, according to the President's DNA Initiative.

    Criminal Justice

    • Some people are convicted of crimes they did not commit. The National Institute of Justice issued a report that named 28 prisoners who were exonerated by DNA evidence. DNA evidence can also be used to convict a defendant of a crime. According to the National Criminal Justice Reference Center, DNA evidence was first produced as courtroom evidence in 1986, and is now valid evidence throughout all jurisdictions of the United States.

    Diseases

    • Genetic testing helps people screen for diseases. A DNA test can show whether two people are at risk for passing diseases to their future children. DNA testing can detect genetic disorders in a fetus. According to the National Institutes of Health, DNA tests can detect a genetic disorders before a person suffers noticeable disease symptoms, as well as confirming a physician's diagnosis of a genetic disorder.

Medical Research - Related Articles