What is DNA Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

What is DNA - Research Paper Example Scientists have played a great role in this progress as it is due to their efforts that the understanding of the human body has become possible. DNA which is a biochemical substance in the human body is one such example. Following the understanding of DNA, it has become an important tool used by forensic experts and it has become an important part of the criminal justice system. DNA which stands for deoxyribonucleic acid is a biochemical molecule that is basically made up of two DNA chains that are complementary to each other. These chains are interwoven polynucleotide chains whose basic units are four nucleotide subunits. The DNA molecule is a helical structure with the stands being attached to each other via hydrogen bonds. DNA carries the genetic information of every individual. The strands of DNA separate and each strand is utilized for the purpose of transferring of genetic material. Any living organisms including the human beings only synthesize those proteins in their body whose information is present on their DNA (Alberts 2002). The work for the discovery DNA started towards the end of the nineteenth century. The Swiss chemist Friedrich Miescher recognized DNA as a chemical molecule in the late nineteenth century. Research work on DNA continued and other scientists who included Phoebus Levene and Erwin Chargaff worked hard for finding out its structure and chemical bonding. They laid down the scientific foundation which was then followed by Watson and Crick who finally discovered the helical structure of DNA and explained the functioning of DNA and its genetic coding (Pray 2008). Testing of DNA on biological materials which included body fluids, hair and the skin started in the year 1985 in U.S.A. This procedure is the most reliable clinical investigation and is of utmost importance in the inquiries of rape cases. This is because DNA is a biochemical molecule which consists of the entire unique genetic pattern of an individual. The efficacy of these results of DNA testing from the biological materials is even above 99 percent. The first criminal who was awarded punishment following DNA testing was a rapist, Tommie Lee Andrews in the year 1987 in Florida (James 2009). There are many uses of DNA . Its usage in the criminal investigation procedures is its most common use. Biological materials are tested for DNA and this provides for the conviction of criminals in cases which include murder as well as sexual assault. DNA testing is also used for confirming the relationship status of individuals. It can assist in finding lost people. This was true following the September 11 attacks in the United States when DNA testing was performed to identify and tell the families of the victims regarding the deaths of their loved ones. Furthermore, paternity DNA testing can also help solving cases related to property as well as custody related issues. Apart from the legal and criminal field, DNA testing has been extremely crucial for providing with breakthroughs in the medical field for the discovery of new pathological conditions. It has also been helpful for anthropologists to understand evolution and human existence (Lamb 2007; James 2009). The criminal justice system has greatly changed and progressed following the usage of DNA testing procedures. DNA databases have been created in many countries across the globe for the purpose of assessment and identification of offenders. In the United States, by the year 2009, the FBI had the DNA samples of all the criminals who had been convicted as well as the sexual wrongdoers from all the states of the country. Maintenance of such criminal records is one of the breakthroughs in