Dannielynn: Who's Your Daddy?
DNA - It's all in the genes... and I don't mean your denim pants.
DNA remains in the news. Years ago we learned that OJ's DNA was found at a crime scene. Today the news media is waiting to hear the results of the DNA tests on Anna Nicole Smith's daughter, Dannielynn. Last week Spice Girl Melanie Brown had a baby girl which she says is Eddie Murphy's. He's not sure, but DNA tests can tell the tale. DNA has been used to identify victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. DNA is used to release prisoners when found to be innocent because DNA did not match that of the criminal. DNA used to solve crimes by identifying the bad guy. You can pay to track your ancestry by analyzing your DNA.
In my medical practice as a vasectomy reversal specialist we use DNA frequently, but not to establish who is the father. Instead, when a man is found to have zero sperm counts and there are reasons to suspect that he is a carrier of cystic fibrosis, we check his DNA to see if he carries the cystic fibrosis gene. Bladder cancer and prostate cancer tests are now available to analyze the DNA from cells in the urine to check for cancer.
So what is exactly DNA and why has this become such a regular news topic?
DNA stands for Deoxyribonucleic acid. A persons' DNA is his or her own unique genetic fingerprint. No one else in the world has or will ever have your exact DNA match. Every person, animal and plant has a DNA blueprint that directs the action of every single cell. Your DNA dictates when and where each cell grows, what it does (muscle, blood cell, brain cell, etc) and when it dies.
With this knowledge and current technology that allows us to actually measure and document a person's DNA, scientists can confirm that you were indeed at a certain location, have a particular disease or fathered a specific child. With continued advancements in science and with computer technology there is a very good chance that early in a person's life, we will be able to perform a simple blood test and identify which diseases and health problems the person may be at risk of developing in his lifetime. This will allow for specific genetic modification, social or dietary intervention to block the development of the disease or illness.
While you're most likely to hear about DNA on Entertainment Tonight, Court TV or the evening news, there are much more interesting and far-reaching implications for this young technology.
Will Howard K. Stern be Dannielynn's father? Or Larry Birkhead? Or will the real value of the DNA tests performed on this child be the uncovering of potential health problems she may encounter as an adult?
Stay tuned.
Update: Shortly after I wrote this, the DNA test results were reported: Larry Birkhead is Dannielynn's daddy.
Related Topics:
Technorati Tags: anna-nicole-smith, dna, eddie murphy, daniellynn, genetics, technology
DNA remains in the news. Years ago we learned that OJ's DNA was found at a crime scene. Today the news media is waiting to hear the results of the DNA tests on Anna Nicole Smith's daughter, Dannielynn. Last week Spice Girl Melanie Brown had a baby girl which she says is Eddie Murphy's. He's not sure, but DNA tests can tell the tale. DNA has been used to identify victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. DNA is used to release prisoners when found to be innocent because DNA did not match that of the criminal. DNA used to solve crimes by identifying the bad guy. You can pay to track your ancestry by analyzing your DNA.
In my medical practice as a vasectomy reversal specialist we use DNA frequently, but not to establish who is the father. Instead, when a man is found to have zero sperm counts and there are reasons to suspect that he is a carrier of cystic fibrosis, we check his DNA to see if he carries the cystic fibrosis gene. Bladder cancer and prostate cancer tests are now available to analyze the DNA from cells in the urine to check for cancer.
So what is exactly DNA and why has this become such a regular news topic?
DNA stands for Deoxyribonucleic acid. A persons' DNA is his or her own unique genetic fingerprint. No one else in the world has or will ever have your exact DNA match. Every person, animal and plant has a DNA blueprint that directs the action of every single cell. Your DNA dictates when and where each cell grows, what it does (muscle, blood cell, brain cell, etc) and when it dies.
With this knowledge and current technology that allows us to actually measure and document a person's DNA, scientists can confirm that you were indeed at a certain location, have a particular disease or fathered a specific child. With continued advancements in science and with computer technology there is a very good chance that early in a person's life, we will be able to perform a simple blood test and identify which diseases and health problems the person may be at risk of developing in his lifetime. This will allow for specific genetic modification, social or dietary intervention to block the development of the disease or illness.
While you're most likely to hear about DNA on Entertainment Tonight, Court TV or the evening news, there are much more interesting and far-reaching implications for this young technology.
Will Howard K. Stern be Dannielynn's father? Or Larry Birkhead? Or will the real value of the DNA tests performed on this child be the uncovering of potential health problems she may encounter as an adult?
Stay tuned.
Update: Shortly after I wrote this, the DNA test results were reported: Larry Birkhead is Dannielynn's daddy.
Related Topics:
Technorati Tags: anna-nicole-smith, dna, eddie murphy, daniellynn, genetics, technology
1 Comments:
My siblings and I suspect that my Brother and I have the same Dad but he's dead so cannot get have a DNA test. Could my Brother and I take a DNA test and could it be determinded if we are full blooded siblings? Mom had me, then my Sister with another man, and then my Brother 10 years after me.
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