What is Deoxyribonucleic acid(DNA) testing

The point wise details to the questions are given below -
a) Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in humans or other animals contains genetic information. It is a molecule composed of two chains that are formed in a helix pattern around each other and consists of nucleotides. The nucleotides are themselves composed of one of four nitrogen-containing nucleases (cytosine, guanine, adenine or thymine), a sugar called deoxyribose, and a phosphate group. With this large array of chain having these specific elements the DNA helix carries a large code of hereditary information from which many things can be derived for the individual to which it belongs. Remember DNA is an integral part of human chromosome and is the source of hereditary uniqueness to the chromosome. In layman terms all our lineage, hereditary, ancestral linkages etc are coded in these DNAs and are like a source code of a very very large computer program.

b) There are various types of DNA tests but the basic approach is to find out the characteristic pattern of DNA in the human chromosomes. Depending on the objective these tests could be for Newborn screening or Diagnostic testing or Carrier testing or Prenatal testing or Preimplantation testing or Forensic testing.

c) Any person can go or ask for DNA test if there is a doubt of lineage or hereditary or identifying a long lost person or a problem of that kind.

d) Every person has a unique DNA but some of the pattern in DNA would match with his fathers DNA or mothers DNA. Some patterns would match with his great great grandfather also hence the characteristic patterns would mark the lineage and ancestry line from where a person is evolved. People in a close community will have a pattern in their DNA. This is a very long code and some parts are related to genetics while others have other reasons to be there.

e) A spit or mouth swab is sufficient to catch a few human cells ( known as buccle cells collected from inside the cheeks) from the person whose DNA is to be tested.

f) There are many laboratories where DNA tests are done in India. You would find hundreds of centres for test sample collection also in major cities. The cost of DNA test is in the range Rs 10000 to 15000.

g) Court accepts the forensic and DNA reports in case of crimes. It is illegal to use DNA test to find out prenatal sex conditions. There are more clarities required in the existing laws in the matter of DNA testing.

a) DNA full form is deoxyribonucleic acid. It is a long molecule and contains a person's unique genetic code. It holds instructions for making all the proteins in our bodies. DNA contains four basic building blocks. They are called adenine, cytosine, guanine, and thymine.
b) The DNA test is performed by collecting buccal cells found on the inside of a person's cheek using a buccal or cheek swab. These swabs are made of wooden or plastic stick handles and will have cotton on the synthetic tip. The Sample collector rubs the inside of a person's cheek to collect as many buccal cells as possible, which are then sent to a laboratory for testing.
c) If you want to do a paternity test, you can do the DNA collection yourself using a home kit. But the results obtained from this sample are not legally valid. If the results are to be legally valid the test must be done by a lab
The DNA sample collection should be witnessed by an impartial third-party at an approved facility.
The following are the approved places for the collection of the sample.
An AABB-accredited DNA laboratory location
Mobile provider or brick-and-mortar collection facility approved by the lab
In the Hospital or in the court. It can be done in a doctor's clinic or Lawyer's office also.

d) The DNA testing lab at Hyderabad:
DNA labs India
301 3rd Floor GS Towers
Himayat Nagar, Hyderabad – 500029

e) The cost of DNA testing will be around Rs.20000/-

f) adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C) and thymine (T). These four chemicals are the basis of DNA. A and T will pair up. Similarly, G and C will pair up. These pairs will link to a phosphate molecule and a sugar molecule. This structure is known as a nucleotide.

DNA sequencing will be unique in human beings. No two people will share the same DNA.