DNA is the German abbreviation for deoxyribonucleic acid. It is three-dimensionally strucrurated compounds built from numerous equal parts, from which chromosomes, mitochondria and chiroplasts develop. Thus, DNA testing is determining, examining or breaking down the genetic makeup of a human or animal.
What is a DNA test?
DNA test is also called DNA test, genetic test or gene analysis. DNA is found in the chromosomes of all cells, so it follows that all genetic material is DNA. To obtain a DNA sample, a saliva sample taken from the oral mucosa with a cotton swab is sufficient. A drop of blood or a hair is also suitable for the test.
Function, effect and goals
To obtain a DNA sample, a saliva sample taken with a cotton swab from the oral mucosa is sufficient. A drop of blood or a hair is also suitable for the test. A DNA test is done for a variety of reasons. The test can answer questions of kinship, such as whether a child’s parents are the biological relatives. Paternity tests are increasingly performed to clarify child support obligations. Private individuals also use DNA testing in family or genealogical research to gain clarity about their relatives. In research, the DNA test has a special significance when it comes to determining the causes of a disease and predicting how high the personal risk is of suffering a genetically caused disease or passing it on to one’s own children. The “Association of German Human Geneticists” has compiled a list of all hereditary diseases that can be reliably diagnosed with a DNA test. Food inspectors use DNA analysis to detect genetically modified foods whose import is prohibited. At the same time, they want to ensure the quality of the food. The criminal investigation department exploits DNA testing to secure and assign crime scene evidence and solve murders. Thanks to the “genetic fingerprint”, not only have perpetrators been convicted, but it has also been repeatedly established that the death penalty in the USA has occasionally been carried out unjustly. In order to prevent diseases in unborn children, parents will in future be given the opportunity to carry out a genetic diagnosis on the embryo in order to prevent a seriously ill child from being born. In this context, one speaks of pre-implantation diagnostics, the regulation of which has not yet been regulated and is still prohibited by law. There is still general disagreement about what tasks the ethics committees, which are still in the planning stage, should take on. In our neighboring countries, pre-implantation diagnostics, also known as PGD, is permitted. In Germany, it is planned to set up one ethics committee per federal state. This should belong to the state medical association, which, however, rejects the proposal. Violations of the PGD ban are punishable by a fine or imprisonment of up to one year. Exceptions exist if the parents are seriously genetically ill and it is suspected that their children will also suffer from the hereditary disease. Likewise, couples with a genetic disease may have a preimplantation diagnosis performed if they expect a stillbirth or miscarriage. However, limited PGD is available in Germany without penalty. If an embryo is created in a test tube, it may be tested for hereditary diseases before it is implanted in the womb.
Risks, side effects, and dangers
Numerous scientists dispute the effectiveness of genetic analysis in health care. They doubt the link between genetic disposition, medical diagnosis, and the symptoms of disease, fearing that the pressure to succeed in providing statistical proof is too great. They are convinced that diseases are primarily caused by personal lifestyle and external influences and are less determined by genes. They also criticize the fact that especially private users who order a DNA test are often unaware that DNA samples can be altered by incorrect storage and falsify the test result. All results of a genetic analysis allow conclusions to be drawn about relatives. This fact is an underestimated risk when searching for evidence at a crime scene. If a DNA analysis is performed on a suspect, the relatives may also come under suspicion.The Federal Court of Justice in Karlsruhe therefore ruled that the related family members of an alleged perpetrator may not be examined. The DNA sample taken may only be compared with the DNA trace at the crime scene. Experts are concerned that the possibility of analyzing DNA samples ever more easily carries the risk of major errors.
