Q. What is ‘DNA finger printing’? Which research institution in India is working in this area? (42 BPSC/1999)

Q. What is ‘DNA finger printing’? Which research institution in India is working in this area? (42 BPSC/1999)
DNA fingerprinting (Also called DNA profiling) is a method used to identify an individual from a sample of DNA by looking at unique patterns in their DNA.
Uses:

• a forensic technique in criminal investigations, comparing criminal suspects’ profiles to DNA evidence so as to assess the likelihood of their involvement in the crime.
• It is also used in parentage testing,
• to establish immigration eligibility
• in genealogical
• in medical research
• in the study of animal and plant populations in the fields of zoology, botany, and agriculture.

Research institution in India is working in this area:

• In India DNA fingerprinting was started by Dr. VK Kashyap and Dr. Lalji Singh (known as the “Father of Indian DNA fingerprinting”).
• The Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD), an Indian Biotechnology research centre, located in Hyderabad, India, operated by the Department of Biotechnology is the main research institution in India.

The DNA Technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill, 2019 has been introducedin Lok sabha which provides for the regulation of use of DNA technology for establishing the identity of certain persons.