Types Of DNA Testing: An OverviewDNA testing is a technique to determine specific characteristics and distinguish between two different individuals who are of the same species with the help of the DNA. The DNA identification can be done with the help of banked items like banked sperm or biopsy, blood kin, personal items like razor, toothbrush, etc. Different types of Dna testing consists of the following: * Mitochondrial DNA (mtdna): These tests are used for the maternal line. Mitochondrial DNA test can be used to test descendants of the females of families. Children of both the genders receive the mtdna passed by the women. This can be done only by the females. As this test follows the maternal line, every generation tend to change their last name. This makes the genealogy more complicated and difficult but not impossible. * Y Chromosome DNA Testing: This follows the paternal ancestral line. In this type of the DNA test, it is passed from father to son, which include surname. This type of DNA test helps to link people genealogically. Y-chromosomes are inherited from parental side, so Y-STR analysis helps to identify the paternal related males. * Autosomal DNA testing: Autosomal DNA testing is different from the first and second type that you've understood above. In autosomal DNA, you tend to receive 50% DNA from both the parents. As you have 50% mixture rate present from each generation, autosomal DNA is not reliable and relevant fro genealogical testing. Some of the other DNA testing consists of Paternity DNA Testing, Ancestry DNA Testing and Genealogical DNA Testing. These DNA test helps you to test the following: * Whether two or more people are related or not. * Whether two or more people are descendants from the same ancestors. * As it helps to prove the biological relationship between two or more people, DNA tests can act as a tool in court for the settlement. Limitations of DNA Testing are as follows: 1. Majority of the ancestors are invisible to Y-DNA and mt-DNA test. You are concentrated only to patrilineal and matrilineal branches of your pedigree. 2. The DNA test is useful to prove a relationship rather than prove a kinship but it is not a substitute for your traditional research. 3. DNA test helps you to reveal whether the relationship exists or not but does not tell us 'who' and 'when' of the relationship. DNA test is a probability calculations and you do not have any exact and concrete solution to a situation. The DNA tests can be used to determine from which country your ancestors come from, from which side your maternal you share ancestry, who is your father or mother. These tests can be conducted from home also by using a home DNA kits. DNA test helps to find relevant information in modern lives like: relationship, ancestry, forensic identification and settlement of disputes. The various types of DNA testing can be used in various fields like criminology, biotechnology, biomedicine and family law. With more awareness about DNA testing, people want to know more about learning and discovering various technologies and discoveries about DNA test. |