|
|
To determine whether it is acceptable for an individual or organization to carry out DNA paternity exclusion testing, one must first examine the dilemma of clashing rights, the implications of this technology to individuals, family and society, including the economic repercussions, moral questions and religious aspects of the case. But, before any of these subjects are examined, there must be an understanding of genetics. “Genetics is the science of heredity that tries to account for both the similarities and differences between individuals.” It is possible to break up genetics in to several categories relevant to this topic. DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid is the basic material of which genes and chromosomes are composed. They consist of a double chain of nucleotides, which are connected to each other like rungs on a ladder. Each nucleotide is made up of a phosphate, a deoxyribose sugar and one of four possible bases, which are adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C) and thymine (T). DNA contains the genetic information of individuals, genes being the fundamental unit of heredity, which transmits the qualities and traits from ancestor to descendant. Some variations may be passed from parent to offspring, these variations due to environmental and lifestyle influences on the ancestor. This is similar to polymorphism, in which there is an occurrence in a certain population of several phenotypic forms independent of variations associated with gender. The process of DNA paternity exclusion testing first involves comparing the DNA profiles of the mother and child and determining which half of the child’s DNA was inherited from its mother. Logically, the other half must therefore be inherited from the biological father. If, after the alleged father’s profile has been examined to determine if the DNA types in his profile match the paternal types of the child, the man is included as a biological parent. If his DNA types do not match, he is excluded. If a man is not excluded, a “probability of paternity” is reported.
|
