About DNA

While we are waiting things to happen, we may probably take this opportunity to educate ourselves with frequent use technical term recently, the DNA.

According to wikipedia, Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is a nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms and some viruses. The main role of DNA molecules is the long-term storage of information. DNA is often compared to a set of blueprint or a recipe, since it contains the instructions needed to construct other components of cells, such as proteins and RNA molecules. The DNA segments that carry this genetic information are called GENES. but other DNA sequences have structural purposes, or are involved in regulating the use of this genetic information.

Forensic scientists can use DNA in blood,semen, skin, saliva or hair at a crime scene to identify a perpetrator. This process is called genetic fingerprinting, or more accurately, DNA profiling. In DNA profiling, the lengths of variable sections of repetitive DNA, such as short tandem repeats and minisatelites, are compared between people. This method is usually an extremely reliable technique for identifying a criminal.However, identification can be complicated if the scene is contaminated with DNA from several people. People convicted of certain types of crimes may be required to provide a sample of DNA for a database. This has helped investigators solve old cases where only a DNA sample was obtained from the scene. DNA profiling can also be used to identify victims of mass casualty incidents.

Complicated and difficult to understand? Mee too, but not important, as a layman, we may more interested if someone can tell us the real reasons behind the following questions:

a) Why the Police could not use the old DNA?

b) How long the DNA could survive?

(PM said DNA is too old to use, I stupidly still believe that dinosaur could be reborn in Jurassic Park)

c) Why the Police and BN leaders want to take Anwar DNA?

d) Why Anwar does not allow his DNA to be taken?